The Science of Happiness

I like to read obituaries. I like seeing the snapshot of their major life accomplishments, mistakes, and passions and why people loved or hated them. Spending a few minutes examining how they lived, I look for an example of how to live or not live my life today.

I also like finding examples in the living. In our ED191 series classes, I ask college students to give me snapshot of what they want from life. Their answers are about having a successful career, being with that special someone, raising a family, or doing something meaningful to impact their world.

Sometimes they say, “I don’t know yet. But I know I want to be happy.”

Dr. Martin Seligman researches happiness, or “positive psychology”. On his Authentic Happiness website it says: “[Seligman’s] research has demonstrated that it is possible to be happier — to feel more satisfied, to be more engaged with life, find more meaning, have higher hopes, and probably even laugh and smile more, regardless of one’s circumstances. Positive psychology interventions can also lastingly decrease depression symptoms.”

The Positive Psychology Center at the University of Penn puts it another way: “This [Positive Psychology] field is founded on the belief that people want to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives, to cultivate what is best within themselves, and to enhance their experiences of love, work, and play.”

The Wellness Interns are bringing you their “The Science of Happiness” event Wednesday, Nov. 4 at the Career Center Lawn between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Drop by for tips on how make your life more meaningful, increase your engagement with life and savor your positive emotions.

Mahatma Gandhi said: “Man often becomes what he believes himself to be. If I keep on saying to myself that I cannot do a certain thing, it is possible that I may end by really becoming incapable of doing it. On the contrary, if I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning.”

Believe in yourself, believe you will live a meaningful and fulfilling life.

Michael Takahara is a health educator at Student Health. Post your comments, suggestions, questions or your wellness tips here, e-mail Michael.takahara@sa.ucsb.edu, Facebook, or Tweet him.

2 Responses to “The Science of Happiness”

1. Mara says:

   November 5, 2009 at 3:24 pm

   Your blogs always brighten my day…Tonight I’m going to concentrate on the present, and lap up some good laughs with my family.
2. Kim Hyun says:

   November 11, 2009 at 12:22 pm

   Maka,
   You speak such words of wisdom. Thanks for the good thoughts.

   Kim