A landmark study from the University of Bristol underscores a profound yet simple truth about mental well-being: like physical health, maintaining happiness is an ongoing commitment, not a one-time achievement. The university’s “Science of Happiness” course, a pioneering educational program launched in 2018, has offered insights into long-term well-being maintenance, evidencing that the pursuit of happiness is indeed a habit that requires continuous practice.
According to the study published in the journal Higher Education, the University of Bristol course, inspired by Yale University’s “Psychology and the Good Life,” has demonstrated that while it is possible to educate individuals on the science of happiness, leading to initial boosts in well-being, the sustained benefits depend on long-term adherence to positive practices.
Senior author Professor Bruce Hood explained the crux of these findings: “It’s like going to the gym – we can’t expect to do one class and be fit forever. Just as with physical health, we have to continuously work on our mental health, otherwise the improvements are temporary.”
These conclusions were derived from a meticulous analysis involving participants who had completed the course. By employing well-validated instruments like the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale, the study quantitatively measured the upswell in well-being students experienced post-course. A significant number, 10 to 15%, reported better mental well-being. However, this improvement was not an automatic guarantee of long-term happiness.
The long-term follow-up, which occurred between 12 to 29 months after course completion, painted a nuanced picture. Students who sustained the practices taught—activities like gratitude, meditation, and journaling—were the ones who managed to retain their elevated levels of well-being.
The course’s pedagogy encouraged outward-focused positive psychology interventions, such as altruism and social engagement. Hood emphasized this point, stating, “Much of what we teach revolves around positive psychology interventions that divert your attention away from yourself, by helping others, being with friends, gratitude or meditating. This is the opposite of the current ‘selfcare’ doctrine, but countless studies have shown that getting out of our own heads helps gets us away from negative ruminations which can be the basis of so many mental health problems.”
Relevant articles:
– We can learn to be happy, but only get lasting benefits if we keep practising, a first-of-its-kind study has revealed
– Happiness can be learned, but you have to work at it, study finds, Medical Xpress, Mon, 11 Mar 2024 17:41:35 GMT
– Happiness is a habit: New psychology research finds continuous practice is key, PsyPost, Mon, 11 Mar 2024 22:19:17 GMT
– How to be happy in academia, Times Higher Education, Thu, 28 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT