Week 1- Science of Happiness Reflection
I was excited to start this course as I find psychology really fascinating. I was very happy to find this course as it is very fitting for the world we are facing overall, and I think the information I am learning weekly will help me to be more successful as a student and a human. Prior to beginning the course, I had done some learning regarding how the brain processes positive emotion through taking AP Psychology this year. However, I did not know much about the historical side of happiness or how much positive emotion can positively impact an individual. I certainly did not know the impacts well-being has on one’s health and life expectancy, which is very intriguing to me.
One question I have about the course information is how mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder play into cultivating happiness as a practice. Do mindfulness activities that have such a positive effect on many individuals work less for those struggling additionally? Or are there specific methods of mindfulness that work better for people living with mental health issues? A second question I have is regarding the duration at which one practice activates like meditation, gratitude, journaling. Is there research that addresses the different impacts of practicing such activities for varying periods of time? I wonder this because it may address how mindfulness and positive psychology could work for those who live busy lives.
Hopefully you will learn more about how mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder play into cultivating happiness as a practice or it would be a great focus for your own individual research!
ReplyDeleteDid the course have you try any happiness practices yet?
Yes! I participated in a couple of the "three good things"practices. This included recording three good things that happened to me during the day and recording how they made me felt, impacted my day, and will have a lasting impact. This was a great positive practice and reminded me that even a stressful or hectic day can have good pockets of happiness. It also reminded me that if you want to cultivate happiness you can do so by implementing small things into your schedule like meditating or cooking a nice breakfast. I think these affects of the practice were intended by the creators, and it is something I will certainly continue as a practice of gratitude.
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