Poorly presented on every level

certificate was not given to me

I did not find it interesting.

not getting certificate

No real learning

worst

no

For a long time, I have been struggling in the whirlpool of negative thoughts. It is basically a negative idea when I encounter something uncomfortable, so that I am very afraid of being leisure, I feel that life has been pushed forward, rarely feeling in control of life. Maybe I am too sensitive? I feel that I must hold the railing when I walk down the stairs, worrying that I might step on the ground and fall.Over the years, I have tried various methods to ease negative thinking, which is somewhat effective, but it is good and bad. Now I can only be at home due to COIVD-19, maybe this is God's Intervention, then I can have more time to face the depths of my soul. I just saw this course on the website after spending a few days in isolation at home. Experience of years have enabled me to understand that practice and action are far more important than knowing the theory, despite facing inertia and laziness from time to time.Looking at my own records of rewirement for around two months, Basically, all rewirements--savoring, dailygratitude journal, random acts of kindness, social connection, exercise, sleep, meditation, and gratitude letter/visit-- have continued to do now. I found that the best performing is savoring, the worst is random acts of kindness. What has formed a habit is exercise.What needs to be improved is social connection and daily gratitude.

There was no clear execution plan at the beginning. It was not until two weeks ago that I saw the theory of individual development plan(IDP) which I realized that I still continued the arbitrariness of the past. Fortunately, I have a habit of recording slowly. At the same time, recording will also promote my own reflection and progress, so I stumbled on and persevered. Generally, every Monday, there is a goal to be achieved in a week and the corresponding plan. I will look at the records to detect the deficiencies in the process. This somehow makes up for my shortcomings of arbitrariness and inertia.

Through the record, I realized that if the plan was completed and it was calculated by ten points, I probably reached about seven points. Fortunately, when I am at home, I have enough time. If I have been busy in the past, I’m afraid my best is half of it. Comparing the scores of the questionnaire at the beginning and the present, and the slowly-perceived changes in mood in daily life, this course brings many good effects, specially savoring pleasures at present moment, doing meditation often. I have less anxiety. To quote the following, encourage those who are interested in Well-Being to move forward together.

Savor pleasures and live in the present moment

Make physical activity a habit

Are deeply committed to meaningful goals

Are often the first to help others

Nurture and enjoy social relationships

Are comfortable expressing gratitude

Practice optimism about future

We can take deliberate control of how we act and think through intentional activity.

From: Lyubomirsky(2001); Diener et al.(1999); Myers(2000), Diener & Lucas(1999); Argyle(1999).

This course exceeded my expectations beyond belief.

After losing my younger cousin unexpectedly and then my best friend to suicide, I lost meaning and purpose in my life. As a result, I became treatment resistant to my mental health medications.

As if that weren't enough, my new business collapsed due to the unforeseen travesty that is COVID-19. The implausible idea of an actual global pandemic striking during our lifetime had suddenly become very real, very quick.

My 2 other independent contract positions that I was working to supplement my main income and hold me afloat as my business grew would shortly follow suit.

I began experiencing financial hardship, nearly got evicted from my residence and battled other obstacles...yes, there were others.

And this all happened in six months.

There were many months of deep hopelessness, helplessness and darkness that I won't get into. But then I came across The Science of Wellbeing.

This course reminded me of what it took in the past to want to get out of bed in the morning. It taught me to feel important--not even to others, but to myself. To practice kindness to others, even when the world hasn't been so kind to me. And so, so much more.

One of the greatest learning points for me is that we're wrong. We're human and we're so very wrong. Wrong about what we think we want and what we think will make us happy. Our intuitions are often wrong and the science corroborates it! This is something I really needed to see, to read and to become aware of right at this time in my life.

I really wasn't sure what to expect with this course or if I'd get anything at all out of it. I was skeptical, but had a little piece of hope because, honestly, nothing else was working for me. And I'm so glad that I did.

Since the start of this course and as it progressed, I decided to actively continue working on medication management and have since found a couple that are starting to help immensely.

I've rebuilt relationships with important people in my life.

I feel valuable most days.

I found the motivation to apply for a nationwide scholarship to attend the AAS21 conference hosted by the American Association of Suicidology.

...and won.

I now get to attend in my best friend, Mikey's, honor and use the knowledge I'll gain to help others who are hurting, since Mikey no longer can.

Professor Laurie Santos, you've not only made this course one of the most interesting and valuable courses I've ever taken, but created something so brilliant and life-changing. You've turned my life back around. You've ignited the spark in me that I thought went totally out.

And I thank you so very much.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Thank you to Yale University, as well!

And thank you to Coursera!

Take this course everyone!

Hi Laura!

Am Suryakumari, halfway through the Course, The Science of Well Being, that you are handling so well. Being a fellow Prof, I can gauge each and every aspect that has been painstakingly included to make the Course heavy on content and yet seemingly light. Your presentation with the accompanying smile in the videos is the charmer! Keep Smiling!!

I would like to share the way am doing the Rewirements. Presently am on Week 3.

Am a 55 year old, a Life Skills Coach in addition to being an Economics Prof. These rewirements are an everyday process, not bragging..hope you can understand what am saying.. given my profession and age:)

My only problem, I am unable to categorize and do only one act of rewiring week-wise as prescribed.

In order to keep track and make note, I created an excel with categories (as Kindness, Savoring, Gratitude and Social Connection) and dates. Am describing the act in the table and made an extra column called 'Happiness Meter' and giving it a scale of 1-5. Lockdown started for me from Mar 15th, hence I made another sheet for that month calling it 'Lockdown Rewirements' although I started this Course only from Apr 12th.

Unable to attach the template here..can mail it if you let me know how. I have shared it in the Discussion Forum for others to use, if they like it.

All I need is to make a journal entry and categorize. I found this more interesting than marking circles on the given worksheet. Am sure this will be fun to maintain after the course completion, and will serve as a wake up call to be good, do good and feel good all through, not just during the Course. It will be nice to read this later as my Rewirements Diary!!

With nudges provided in the lectures, started a 'Recollections Project' with my 84 year old mom, who is a cancer survivor and has restricted mobility at home due to osteoarthritis. She's regaling us with childhood stories of her 13 siblings!!! Phase 2 will be us, her children:)

Thank you for the great Course you are conducting. All the Best. Stay safe, be Happy!!

The above was written much earlier. Now I have completed the Course. I did extremely great on bringing down Loneliness factor pre to post course scores. That shows how connected I felt with everyone ib the Course. Gonna miss this! This was my stress buster, really.

P.S: It would be a full circle if you can include the role of relationships in well being. Irrespective of the n number of rewirements one does, if there is the presence of a bully, dominant or abusive person in one's life, be it a parent, sibling, partner or colleague/boss at work, it affects well being and self esteem very badly. Moving out of the relationship may not always be possible. Hope you consider this aspect. Thank you.

My initial aim was and my motivation during the course has been getting some feeling of studying in a Yale class. This corresponds pretty good with Dr. Laurie Santos aim of her Welcome Letter: “To make the lectures feel more intimate, we filmed at my home in one of Yale’s residential colleges with a small group of Yale students in the audience … We understand that many of you taking the course are not currently college students, but we hope you see yourselves as though you are part of this virtual classroom.”

Despite the fact that I´m about 50 years old I have the unexplainable cheesy wish to study at Yale University. I would like to be merged in the on-campus life with all experiences at least for a short term. Living in a residential college with a roommate and having access to all facilities like the gym and libraries. For those who want to get a feeling for what dream I have there are two awesome image films available at YouTube which give a great impression (“That´s Why I Chose Yale” and “That´s Why I Toured Yale”).

Taking this daydream into account it is easy understandable that I enjoyed all the video lectures that were produced in the awesome surrounding of the Master´s House of Sillimann College. It is some kind of wellness for the eyes seeing Laurie Santos sitting in this beautiful flower pattern wing chair. This set of optical attraction prepared my mind for sucking in the content of all lectures. For me as it is probably for many others too not only the contend counts it is also important how the content is provided like good arranged food in a nice ambient versus eating the same food in a takeaway box while riding the overcrowded NYC Subway.

Another reason why I have enjoyed the course during the last 10 weeks is that I have deeply savored practicing all study work in English. Reading, listening and writing as I do right now. It is a fantastic and satisfying activity for me as none native speaker experiencing the capability of being able to fully participate in an English class at Yale. Here it is the same as it is described with the beautiful environment above. I am not that focused on the aim reaching more well-being at the end of the course for me there has already been well-being conducting the course. I have been challenged and in flow.

Along with the above mentioned it is obviously that the content of the course has connected me with my real wishes and values which is a good start to continue a long lasing journey.

I couldn´t have made a better choice than taking “The Science of Well-Being”. A big thank you to Dr. Laurie Santos and all of the crew which created and produced this awesome online course, well done!

The science of well-being, also known as positive psychology, is a fascinating and rapidly growing field of study that has the potential to transform the way we think about human flourishing. At its core, positive psychology seeks to understand what makes people happy and fulfilled in life, and to develop evidence-based strategies that can enhance well-being.

One of the key insights of positive psychology is that happiness and well-being are not just a matter of luck or genetics, but are also heavily influenced by our thoughts, behaviors, and social environments. Researchers in this field have identified a range of factors that contribute to well-being, including positive emotions, social relationships, a sense of purpose, and a strong sense of personal resilience.

One of the strengths of the science of well-being is its emphasis on empirical research and evidence-based practices. Researchers in this field use a variety of methods, including surveys, experiments, and neuroimaging studies, to understand the factors that contribute to well-being and to develop interventions that can promote positive change.

Some of the most promising interventions developed in the science of well-being include practices such as gratitude journaling, mindfulness meditation, and acts of kindness. These practices have been shown to improve mood, reduce stress, and promote greater resilience and well-being.

Overall, the science of well-being offers a hopeful and optimistic perspective on human experience, suggesting that we have the capacity to cultivate happiness and well-being in our own lives and in the lives of those around us. While there is still much to learn in this field, the insights and practices developed in the science of well-being have the potential to transform our understanding of human flourishing and to promote greater well-being and happiness for individuals and communities.

To tell the truth this journey throughout the course “Sciene of Well-Being” was an amazing experience to me. This course has unveiled a vast world of unknown psychological facts which opened my inner eyes. I learned how we can improve our own happiness and overall well-being by building certain positive habits, putting strategies into practice and following them as rituals. It is really not that easy to grow a habit and most of us don’t know there are ways to do this. Every one of us want to be happy in life. Deploying a little effort by building these habits, we can achieve that happiness. This course has triggered my wish to be happy by teaching me the skills it requires.

Yes I am savoring on this expedition and I express my sincerest Gratitude to Professor Laurie for widening my knowledge through her amazing lectures. Her friendly and in detail presentation made my journey an outstanding eye-opening experience.

To tell the truth this journey throughout the course “Sciene of Well-Being” was an amazing experience to me. This course has unveiled a vast world of unknown psychological facts which opened my inner eyes. I learned how we can improve our own happiness and overall well-being by building certain positive habits, putting strategies into practice and following them as rituals. It is really not that easy to grow a habit and most of us don’t know there are ways to do this. Every one of us want to be happy in life. Deploying a little effort by building these habits, we can achieve that happiness. This course has triggered my wish to be happy by teaching me the skills it requires.

Yes I am savoring on this expedition and I express my sincerest Gratitude to Professor Laurie for widening my knowledge through her amazing lectures. Her friendly and in detail presentation made my journey an outstanding eye-opening experience.

I started this course somewhere in August 2023, and after 3 months (partially) taking the tactics into daily practice, I could see the effects of it within myself without revisiting my pre-course assessment to know if I'm actually happier. I can feel more clarity in the mind, more contentment and most importantly, the realization of everything I need to be happy is already here. I realize I might not see them before, but all resources I need to achieve what I want have always been here for me and I should be grateful for that. The thing I did practice the most is "exercise" ( in my own term it was "doing physical activities", not solely exercise because I prefer something more feasible for me such as going outside for a walk with my dog, so that I can engage in moving my body while connecting with "someone" I care about (my lovely doggie). In order to make "engaging in a physical activity" a habit, I also apply "WOOP" method, as my mind sometimes creates boundaries by prioritizing other tasks to not exercise daily. So I imagined the wonderful effects of physical activities to my body, the happiness of my dog to be outside instead of laying on the couch and also create tactics to overcome my mental blocks in regards to this. I also add this activity to my gratitude list (in my own term it's also a list of "things made me happy today" or "things I'm proud of myself today") so it motivates me to keep going. During the period of attending this course, I had to encounter a new health issue which now when I look back, I'm even more grateful for that because I helped me learn to love my body and also to rewire my thoughts and habits. If it hadn't been for me attending this course, I might have been more miserable suffering that issue :). Kudos to Prof. Laurie and the task forces behind this project!

Greetings! Sharing my inspiring experience and the concrete benefits I gained from participating in the "The Science of Well-Being" course from Yale University, taught by Professor Laurie Santos, was a transformative experience. The strategies presented helped me cultivate a more positive mindset, appreciate the little things in life, strengthen my relationships, and find more purpose in my daily activities. I feel happier, more resilient, and more connected to myself and the world around me. The course covers the latest scientific studies on happiness and well-being, demystifying popular beliefs and presenting practical strategies for cultivating a fuller and happier life.   The content is exceptionally rich and relevant, exploring topics such as gratitude, mindfulness, social relationships, life purpose, and the importance of challenging our own conceptions of happiness. Professor Laurie Santos is didactic and captivating, transmitting knowledge clearly, accessibly, and entertainingly, with practical examples that facilitate learning and applying the concepts in daily life. The course offers valuable tools and techniques to promote positive changes in our habits and behaviors, with weekly exercises that challenge us to put into practice what we learn and experience the benefits firsthand. "The Science of Well-Being" is an exceptional course that offers a deep dive into the science of happiness, with practical and effective tools for building a more meaningful and happy life.   It's a great opportunity to embark on a journey of self-discovery and transformation. I recommend this course to anyone who wants to improve their well-being and discover the true path to happiness. Regards. Nelson Engelmann nelsonengelmann@gmail.com

I thank God to give me the opportunity to do this Well-Being Course that arrived at such right time to my life. The course content is very complete and updated. The sequential order of the topics is excellent. All the works and investigations presented are very good and the authors interviews interesting and pleasant. The forum interventions sharing experiences are also very good. Prof. Laurie Santos is great.

Although having experienced difficult circumstances in different times of my life I have always considered myself fortunate. I was raised by wonderful parents with five sisters and one brother and I still maintain constant contact with the six of them. We love each other very much and we accept the differences between us. I have six children and twelve grandchildren, all good and healthy people. And I keep close contact with all of them. My husband is a nice and clever man and best of all: he loves me deeply, as I love him.

When I started this course, I had lost my zest for life. I was living like just letting days pass by. We were recently retired. We had moved from our country leaving our lives and two of our children there. Maybe I was depressed. I don´t know. I have never experienced depression. Sadness yes. Joy many times. Anger sometimes. But never this “letting time pass”. Taken together with the terrible pandemic that hit us up unexpectedly! Under these circumstances this course is another blessing of God´s goodness to me. So, I´m really happy that I had the opportunity to take this course. My thanks to Prof. Laurie Santos for conducting this course in such a brilliant way.

El curso es realmente muy bueno, he pasado momentos difíciles como pérdida de familiares muy cercanos y me ayudó mucho el imponerme nuevos recableados, me costó bastante reiniciar la actividad física, pero lo logré.

En Argentina el aislamiento obligatorio comenzó el 20 de marzo de 2020 y en la actualidad seguimos con algunas medidas restrictivas, hábitos ya adquiridos fue necesario suspenderlos. Ejemplo actos de bondad, en mi caso que pertenezco a una ONG que realizaba colectas de sangre e inscribía donantes en el banco mundial para el trasplante de médula, recientemente fue permitido, siguiendo muchos protocolos. Pero como me hace feliz hacerlo no fue difícil retomar el hábito

Me hizo muy bien continuar con las meditaciones.

La actividad física también pude continuarla con bicicleta fija, pero tuve que abandonar yoga. Estaba inscripta para tai chi y aun no comenzaron las clases. Igualmente adquirí gracias al curso necesidad de realizar actividad física.

Tengo el tiempo programado para personas conocidas ahora que se puede recibir a los familiares, especialmente a mis nietos a la salida del colegio y también me reúno con amigas. El desafío son las conexiones con extraños que las voy a poder practicar en las colectas.

Fue una gran decisión inscribirme en este curso, ha cambiado mi filosofía de vida, dejé de estar siempre ocupada, pendiente de lo que debía hacer después y llegué a saborear los momentos, no dejé de hacer las cosas, pero es como si el tiempo se hubiera hecho flexible.

Permanentemente siento la necesidad de rever los apuntes.

Muchas gracias por todo lo recibido

This course has been so inspiring and enlightening in so many ways. Not only has it taught me many more detailed and often unexpected and counter-intuitive aspects to Positive Psychology, it has also taught me how many of my old habits and thinking patterns were more self-destructive and unfounded than good and how Fixed my mindset was before this. Through the timely pacing and the warm, welcoming, yet professional academic environment of Ms. Laurie, one really gets to dive into and benefit from the findings and wisdoms of research-based Positive Psychology, but also challenges how to apply them into your own life (through WOOP strategies) and realise that the G.I. Joe Fallacy (i.e. Knowing is NOT half the battle) is often wrong and over-estimated and how visual illusions, especially many over time, can negatively harm us in the long run. Ms. Laurie teaches us to question and bring us back to the basics of what is best for our Mental, Social, Physical, Psychological and Emotional wellbeing in the long run and how to realise how to truly come into our own and put our wellbeing and happiness first for ourselves and for the natural positive trickle down effect in our environment too! Couldn't recommend this course, especially for Coursera and Academic students and people of ALL walks of life, enough! Thank you Ms. Laurie and will continue to be curious and put my best foot forward for my own Health, Wellbeing and Happiness!

"I wholeheartedly recommend enrolling in the Science of Well-Being course. This course offers an invaluable opportunity to delve deeply into the essential principles of well-being and happiness. The comprehensive curriculum not only equips you with scientific insights but also guides you through practical exercises and strategies that can truly transform your perspective on life.

The course materials are meticulously crafted, providing a comprehensive understanding of the science behind well-being. Whether you're seeking to enhance your own personal happiness or to help others navigate the journey to well-being, this course offers a wealth of knowledge that can make a profound difference in your life.

Moreover, the course's use of real-world case studies and scenarios brings the concepts to life, making it easier to grasp and apply the principles effectively. The combination of theory and practical application ensures that you not only understand the concepts intellectually but also integrate them into your daily life.

As we all strive to lead fulfilling lives, investing in the Science of Well-Being course is an investment in your own growth and happiness. By enrolling in this course, you're not just gaining knowledge; you're embarking on a transformative journey toward a more meaningful and joyful existence."

Feel free to modify or customize this text to match your personal thoughts and experiences with the course.

I simply LOVED this course. There were several AHA moments for me, and I truly appreciated the practical nature of the course. I loved that the course was backed up by research but offered in a comfortable and easy to understand manner. I had not realized the reality that knowing something did not automatically guarantee that it would change behaviour. I also realized that I was guilty of allowing several annoying features to cloud my own sense of reality, and how blessed I am. It was an eye-opener to realise that some of my reference points were off, and I needed to reset those, which made a massive difference to my personal perspective. I have a real sense that I have changed over this course. We, as a country, have been in lockdown, and I have lost all income, because of my inability to work, BUT I had a real sense of being mindful of what I did have, and what I could control. I have spent lockdown with my family, and that has been a special gift. For someone who travels a lot generally, this has been a special joy to have daily tea dates with my parents, spend time with my adult children and have daily play dates with my brand-new grandson. I believe that the course has played a large role in that, and for that, I thank Yale for making it possible, as well as Prof Santos for being so gracious and generous in sharing this gift with the world.I

An engaging, achievable, fun, way to learn about well being! I appreciated the authenticity of the professor (Laurie) and that the material was broken down into bit sized videos and readings with the option to further explore the material through optional reading material. I liked the video transcriptions too. The mini questions scattered throughout and the larger quizzes were all very reasonable and a great way to check in on my own understanding of the concepts and seek further clarity if needed by referencing back to the material in the lesson. The discussion forums and the other optional participation opportunities of were a creative way to engage without expectation. Thank you for creating this opportunity. And for offering the option to not have a certificate. I chose not to have a certificate as I wanted to explore the mindset of pursing something for the intrinsic value only. I wanted to not focus on attaining academic perfection (which is my approach in academia!). This allowed me to really enjoy the journey of learning. As I discovered that I am happiest when I am learning and the outcome does not determine my level of happiness as the process itself is rewarding in and of itself. So a big heartfelt thank you for sharing this wonderful opportunity with those outside of the Yale community! Kindest regards, Nicole Walleen

This class has helped me learn how to look for joy and happiness within/intrinsically. It has helped me to understand my own happiness misconceptions, and that just knowing the tools that will make me happy does not make me happy. I have to do the work. It also made me realize that these tools have value in my life. That they are not just "fit ins" when I have the time. That I have to make the time for these things. It has helped me learn to savor moments, and to reflect and meditate. To take a deep breath and pause. It taught me the importance of sleep. I had no idea sleep was that important. Of course we know it's important, but not THAT important. And exercise. How do I find the motivation to exercise. These rewirements also made me think about circumstances. I have just finished breast cancer treatment before taking this course, and I'm tired. Fatigued at times. I know that I would have approached these rewirements differently if I was my in a different state of mind. But then I thought, isn't that exactly it? We are all dealing with some sort of stressful event in our lives on a regular basis. These rewirements will help them become less stressful if I make them a part of my practice. Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of this class

I wish this course had been around 50 years ago! How different my life would have been but, of course, many of its insights are only recent psychological discoveries so perhaps my wish is futile. I have benefited enormously from the insight that well-being is an emotional state that depends on one's outlook and one's outlook can be improved by simple things such as getting sufficient rest and exercise and practising daily meditation along with remembering always to give thanks for the blessings life gives us and to spread the warmth of our well-being through acts of kindness. I've also learned how easy and misguided it is to focus on possessions at the cost of experiencing life's simple pleasures and how easily one can miswant things in one's life that lead only to disappointment. Negative visualizing has also helped me to truly appreciate the abundant and extraordinary life that I enjoy. It doesn't surprise me that this excellent course has attracted millions of participants. Well done to Professor Laurie Santos who is so special and to whom I owe such an enormous debt of gratitude. Thank you so much, Professor Santos, and may you continue to bless the lives of those fortunate enough to discover what you are offering.

The Science of Well-Being (Dr. Laurie Santos, Yale University) course review and pledge.

I first took this course (at Coursera) in January 2020, and finished it just before COVID19 changed our world. I used and applied what I learned on a daily basis and it helped me maintain my sanity and overall well-being. I used my re-wirements daily: Meditation, gratitude, savoring, and improved my sleep patterns. In addition, I took the social media challenge AND removed my social media apps from my cell phone and have not put them back on since. I still only log in from my laptop. I don't think I could have done as well during the pandemic without the skills I learned in this class. I pledge to continue this practice.

Fast forward to January 2022, I've just taken the course again. I reviewed everything a second time, discovered a few things I had missed, enjoyed the new app, and the additional references to help us cope with the new normal we are living in. Beyond that, I know that I am already twice a winner. My happiness level has been maintained as I continue to practice and master these skills. I highly recommend this course to each one of you, family, friends, colleagues and connections online and offline!

First of all, I want to thank everyone involved in creating this course, especially Professor Santos.

My path as a course student began when I overcame the effects of stress by COVID-19 (with antidepressants), so my level of happiness, of course, was not too high… This course has become a kind of savior for me, so that thanks to him I not only learned how to be happy, but also became one and found a purpose in my life and, as a bonus, got to know myself and my wiches better! I started doing the exercises from the first week of classes (combining theory and practice at once). And literally from the first week I realized that it really works.

Honestly, I used to think that happiness is when you have a lot of money, a stable job, a husband. How wrong I was!

After taking the course, I realized that happiness really lies in simple things: the ability to be grateful (to life, people, yourself), to be able to live the moment and enjoy it, to have good health (and this requires at least minimal physical activity and normal sleep )! Having received such a wonderful result after the course, I am not going to stop there and continue to work on what to be happy! I wish everyone to find their well-being!