Mental well-being is an emerging “hot topic” for organizational systems, employees and clients/customers/patients. Happiness is a creative way to teach people how to develop proactive coping strategies and support systems to handle stress better.
Happiness studies around the world have shown that when individuals focus on their well-being and the happiness of their work team, amazing results happen, benefiting productivity, engagement, accuracy on tasks, as well as increased sales, reduced absenteeism, and bottom-line earnings. Neuroscientists recommend creating happiness in our brains through training exercises. This course shares science-backed information with practical applications.
The course has been updated as of December 2023 with visuals and reading materials for practical application on your happiness journey. These are excellent resources to share with your colleagues to increase awareness of the concepts naturally in your work milieu. Happy employees lead to happy customers, which leads to happy stakeholders (Southwest Airlines).
The one-hour main lecture is a slide deck presentation with a voiceover. Short video lectures have been added on various topics to foster happiness through practical strategies. Each section includes an article and a PDF of a scientific study supporting the material taught.
- Gratitude: Take time each day to reflect on the things you're grateful for. This simple practice can shift your focus from what you lack to what you have, boosting your overall happiness.
- Social Connections: Maintain and nurture your relationships with friends and family. Strong social connections provide support, love, and a sense of belonging.
- Set Goals: Setting and working towards meaningful goals can give you a sense of purpose and accomplishment. Break down your goals into smaller, achievable steps for a sense of progress.
- Learn and Grow: Continuous learning and personal development can enhance your self-esteem and provide you with a sense of accomplishment. Explore new interests and acquire new skills.
- Optimism: Cultivate a positive outlook on life. Try to reframe negative thoughts and focus on solutions rather than problems. Optimistic thinking can lead to increased happiness.
- Volunteer in a Unique Setting: Find a volunteer opportunity that allows you to use your skills and passions in a unique way. For example, if you love animals, volunteer at a wildlife sanctuary or animal rescue organization.
- Adventure Challenges: Set a goal to complete an adventure challenge, such as rock climbing, skydiving, or hiking a challenging trail. Overcoming fears and pushing your boundaries can be incredibly rewarding.
- Random Acts of Kindness: Surprise strangers with random acts of kindness. Pay for someone's coffee, leave an encouraging note on a car windshield, or participate in a "pay it forward" chain.
- Creative Expression: Explore a new form of creative expression, such as painting, playing a musical instrument, or trying your hand at poetry. Creativity can be therapeutic and uplifting.
- Digital Detox Retreat: Unplug from your devices and go on a digital detox retreat. Disconnecting from the online world can help you connect more deeply with yourself and the real world.
- Laughter: Learn how to practice intentional laughter on your own. Laughter is a powerful mood booster.
- Time Capsule Project: Create a time capsule with items, letters, and mementos that represent your current life and aspirations. Set a date to open it in the future, and let the anticipation of revisiting the past bring happiness to your present.
We conclude with the final lecture explaining the purpose of the action planning worksheet to choose a habit, set an overarching happiness goal, with what we aim for daily.