Positive Psychology and Happiness

Most Psychology has focused on our psychological problems; but increasingly, psychology is studying what makes us happy and well. The movement of Positive Psychology has been a big part of this. Also, functional MRI studies of modern neuroscience (where you do something and then scientists can see where your brain lights up in different areas as you do it) as well as surveys and case studies have given us lots of evidence that what makes us happy and resilient in the face of life's traumas are (surprise, surprise) many of the things that our indigenous ancestors did for hundreds of thousands of years: living lives of meaning and status, helping others, being socially connected, enjoying music and dance, doing exercise, spending time in nature, being present and alert in our senses, learning new things, etc. These next few videos explain some of the research on happiness, and we also get a more indigenous African perspective that seems to go along with what we're learning makes us well.

CrashCourse on Happiness

What is Positive Psychology?

An African Perspective on Mental Health

COVID-19 Pandemic and Mental Health

Your Group Project (see Discussion 2 for detailed instructions) will be creating a presentation on specific recommendations to support mental health during this time of COVID-19 measures. The next two videos share about some of the psychological problems involved in this time.

How the Pandemic is Effecting Mental Health

This video explains a big part of the reason I want you all to have some fun in doing a group project together, and actually video-conference and connect through seeing each others' faces and voices.

Loneliness During Pandemic

Tips for Wellness, getting you ready for your Group Project!

Here's an example of a video similar to what you'll present, except you'll need to back up each recommendation with a cited study and have everyone take turns presenting. Isn't it interesting how what we're learning we need to do is so similar to what Positive Psychology recommends? This is perhaps another important silver lining of this pandemic: we are all becoming more conscious of what our mental health needs are and how to get them met. That's what the group project is all about! Let's go.

Tips for Mental Health during COVID

And because you group will need to include a "theme song" for you campaign of wellness (you might be thinking, "what!?"), here's the reasons why. The first is from Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, leading world expert on trauma. The second highlights some specific research-based insights on how music is so good for us.

Social Togetherness Through Singing

How Music Effects Your Brain

**To read the details about your group project, go here.

OPTIONAL:

Feeling stressed by the Group Project and all your other life and work?? Here's a very simple technique to help you soothe your nervous system. Give it a try! (just 4 minutes) And also...as you're doing it, don't forget to consider reframing the study-related stress as maybe not a bad thing, but as something, like a push-up, helping you to grow stronger.

2:1 Breathing Technique