two women raising their arms in happiness

Science of Happiness

The point of life is to be happy. In the olden days, we thought that our circumstances made us happy. If we just put our heads down and got lucky, we could be happy. In the last fifteen to twenty years, positive psychology has become a legitimized area of study, and the pursuit of happiness is an attainable goal for all of us. If you’re looking for scientific ways to be happier, we have some great information to help you explore the science of happiness. 

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What is it?

What do I need to know about the science of happiness? 

The pursuit of happiness seems like a frivolous goal yet it was indoctrinated in the constitution with life and liberty. Let’s face it, what makes you happy is continuously changing as you grow and age. If you’d like to learn the science behind happiness, then the Awareness path on our website is where you need to start. 

The Good Life By Robert Waldinger, MD and Marc Shulz, PhD

The invaluable insights in this book emerge from the revealing personal stories of hundreds of participants in the Harvard Study as they were followed year after year for their entire adult lives, and this wisdom is bolstered by research findings from this and many other studies. Relationships in all their forms—friendships, romantic partnerships, families, coworkers, tennis partners, book club members, Bible study groups—all contribute to a happier, healthier life. And as The Good Life shows us, it’s never too late to strengthen the relationships you have, and never too late to build new ones. With warmth, wisdom, and compelling life stories, The Good Life shows us how we can make our lives happier and more meaningful through our connections to others.

The Greater Good Science Center By The Greater Good Science Center

Based at the University of California, Berkeley, one of the world’s leading institutions of research and higher education, the GGSC is unique in its commitment to both science and practice: Not only do we sponsor groundbreaking scientific research into social and emotional well-being, we help people apply this research to their personal and professional lives. The Greater Good Science Center studies the psychology, sociology, and neuroscience of well-being and teaches skills that foster a thriving, resilient, and compassionate society.

10% Happier By Dan Harris

In 2014, Dan Harris published his memoir 10% Happier. The book—which describes his reluctant embrace of meditation after a drug problem, an on-air freak-out, and an unplanned "spiritual" journey—became an instant bestseller, and Dan, to his own surprise, became a public evangelist for mindfulness. Hoist on My Own Petard is the story of what happens to Dan Harris after the runaway success of his memoir and the lessons he had to (re)learn in the process.

How big an issue is this for me?

How can I find out to assess my happiness level?

Being happy comes and goes. There is so much information that it can be overwhelming. However, that doesn't mean that we can't take matters into our own hands. If you suspect that you could be happier or are desiring something more, or you simply want to know where you stand in terms of average happiness for your age and location, then the Assessment path is the right place for you.

Happiness Assessments By Variety

There are many ways to gauge your happiness. Measuring happiness is at least as difficult as catching rare and elusive butterflies. The following is a list of the most widely used and respected questionnaires measuring happiness. As you can see, we can discover some major differences in how they approach the issue, which reflect different definitions and perceptions of happiness.

What solutions are available to me?

How can I improve my happiness?

There is a whole field of science that stands behind ways to improve your happiness. Just like working out, you must train your mind with happiness exercises. Our Solutions option introduces you to some ways you can exercise and nourish your happiness so that you can embrace the world and live your best life.

The Science of Well-Being By Yale University

In this course you will engage in a series of challenges designed to increase your own happiness and build more productive habits. As preparation for these tasks, Professor Laurie Santos reveals misconceptions about happiness, annoying features of the mind that lead us to think the way we do, and the research that can help us change. You will ultimately be prepared to successfully incorporate a specific wellness activity into your life.

Happify By Happify

Happify is an app that helps users cultivate happiness through activities and games based on positive psychology research. Happify has one goal: to help you lead a happier life. With science-based games and activities, Happify will help you to train your brain and overcome negative thinking patterns.

SeeingHappy By SeeingHappy

The team here at SeeingHappy are all photographers who enjoy the process of creating memorable photos. We are a mix of educators striving to share their knowledge and psychologists dedicated to increasing happiness in the world. We seek purely to promote photography as a means of self-expression, individual well-being, and building a community with a shared vision of showcasing what makes us happy.