A recent study conducted by the University of Bristol in the U.K. has found that tools for promoting one’s sense of well-being can have a long-lasting positive impact on individuals. The study focused on students who had taken the school’s “Science of Happiness” course, which aims to help individuals achieve a greater sense of well-being through evidence-informed habits. The study found that roughly half of the students who had taken the course reported continued feelings of happiness years after completing the program. This suggests that personal happiness can be achieved through practicing the tools and techniques taught in the course.
The “Science of Happiness” course includes various “happiness hacks” that students can incorporate into their daily lives to improve their well-being. These include performing acts of kindness, increasing social connections, savoring experiences, practicing gratitude, being physically active, exploring mindfulness and meditation techniques, and more. The course also covers information on misconceptions about happiness and understanding cognitive biases. By the end of the course, students are expected to have a well-rounded understanding of factors that contribute to their well-being.
The study revealed that many students continued to practice these happiness hacks even after completing the course. Some students incorporated them into their daily routine, while others did so periodically to avoid feeling repetitive. The hacks aim to shift one’s perspective from being overly self-centered to being more connected to others and the world around them. This shift can help individuals put their problems into perspective and feel less overwhelmed. The benefits of support and connection with others can also contribute to feelings of well-being.
Neurobiologists like Dr. Tobias Esch have researched the neurological aspects of happiness and believe that it is not a private or egoistic feeling but rather a biological necessity that has been conserved through evolution. The brain’s reward system is activated when feelings of happiness arise, leading to stress reduction and increased motivation. Positive psychology activities, such as being in nature, can help dampen the activity of the brain’s default mode network, which is associated with negative rumination.
Dr. Esch has identified three types of happiness neurobiologically: wanting, approaching, and pleasure; avoiding, departing, and relief; and non-wanting, staying, and satisfaction. Maintaining a sense of well-being is influenced by both internal and external factors, with internal work like perspective-taking and learning playing a significant role. Ultimately, Dr. Esch believes that happiness is a decision that individuals can make, with genetics and brain hardware accounting for a portion of one’s tendency to be happy. Ongoing research will explore why some individuals may not maintain their sense of well-being after initially experiencing improvements through happiness practices.
