top of page

Happiness NOW!

Mystical Happiness

Happiness is a rather elusive concept that many of us manage to capture for either a short or long period of time. Yet the common underlying factor is that happiness is fleeting for many of us. We find that it often lies outside our grasp of control, where it becomes increasingly difficult to willfully maintain an enduring state of happiness.

However elusive and mystical happiness seems to be, there are evidence-based methods available in research that teach us how to tangibly cultivate a robust state of long-lasting happiness.

Image by Michael Dam

nEUROSCIENCE bEHIND hAPPINESS

According to neuroscience and positive psychology, various theories have emerged that establish the groundwork for any individual to be able to take responsibility for their happiness. Firstly, during active seeking of happiness, an individual will delve into new environments that will have a powerful impact on their psychological well-being and neurochemistry (Baixauli Gallego, 2017). One of the primary mechanisms is the newfound control that they will have on their dopamine reward system, which is strongly implicated in regulating mood and affective states (Kringelbach & Berridge, 2011). Moreover, you will find that individuals who have high levels of happiness demonstrate a variety of different outcomes including longer life, increased life satisfaction and hold deeper interpersonal relationships compared to non-happy counterparts (Headey & Yong, 2019). Each theory has its own articulation of how this is attained but the underlying message indicates that:

​

“Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”

–Victor Frankl

​

Essentially, as Victor Frankl puts it, you do not decide what happens to you, but you can decide how you react to it, and with each conscious decision, you can push yourself closer towards happiness. Simply put, the scientific evidence states that happiness lies within your control and all you need to do is choose it. Much like Victor Frankl, who prior to his scientific career, helped others find goodness and meaning in life during imprisonment in WWII concentration camps. Thus, demonstrating that happiness comes within no matter the external circumstance.

​

Throughout this course, you will learn various evidence-based methods for optimizing your response to internal and external events with the aim of attaining self-constructed happiness. Ranging from cognitive reappraisal training to positive attentional bias development, you will finish this 10-day course with a variety of different skills and methods that can be applied throughout your life!

Throughout your journey to becoming a scholar of happiness, you will take part in these modules:

  • Happiness Assessment: Quiz yourself on some key aspects of happiness.

  • What is Happiness: Gain clarity on your definition of happiness.

  • Savoring: Learn how to prolong positive emotions.

  • Personal Strengths: Identify your strengths to better seize opportunities.

  • Emotion Regulation: Learn how to use cognitive reappraisal.

  • Resilience: Learn how to thrive even in negative situations.

  • Assertiveness: Grow your ability to get your needs met.

  • Happiness Beliefs: Explore how your beliefs affect your happiness.

  • Happiness Values: Learn what emotions you value and how to prioritize them.

  • Best Possible Self: Improve your views of yourself and your potential.

  • Healthy Emotional Processing: Work on increasing self-awareness and acceptance.

  • Unhealthy Emotional Processing: Work to short circuit negative thought processes.

  • Acts of Kindness: Create an action plan for kindness.

  • Create Your Personal Happiness Plan: Explore which strategies are the best fit for you and create your own happiness plan.

  • Prioritizing Positivity: Plan to engage in activities that generate happiness.

  • Train the Brain to be Happier: Strengthen memory for and attention to positive information.

  • Self-Compassion: Learn how to be nicer to yourself.

  • Mindfulness: Practice being more present in the moment.

  • Gratitude: Practice being more grateful.

  • Empathy & Active Listening: Strengthen relationships

Enjoy this course and learn how to take control of your happiness!

 

 

 

 

References

Baixauli Gallego, E. (2017). Happiness: role of dopamine and serotonin on mood and negative emotions. Emergency Medicine (Los Angeles), 2017, vol. 6, num. 2, p. 33-51.

Headey, B., & Yong, J. (2019). Happiness and longevity: Unhappy people die young, otherwise happiness probably makes no difference. Social Indicators Research, 142(2), 713-732.

Kringelbach, M. L., & Berridge, K. C. (2010). The neuroscience of happiness and pleasure. Social research, 77(2), 659.

​

​

​

​

bottom of page