Well, apparently, yes we can, according to a study undertaken by Bristol University.
The University teaches a course on the Science of Happiness and introduces students to wellbeing boosts such as gratitude, exercise, meditation or journaling. But the boosts are short-lived unless habits learnt on the course are kept up over the long-term.
Students who took the course reported a 10 to 15% improvement in wellbeing. But only those who continued implementing the course learnings maintained that improved wellbeing when they were surveyed again two years on.
Professor Bruce Hood said “This study shows that just doing a course – be that at the gym, a meditation retreat or on an evidence-based happiness course like ours – is just the start: you must commit to using what you learn on a regular basis.”
The course is founded on the insights of positive psychology which looks at what makes us flourish. Professor Hood said that “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..…. 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.”
Surprising take aways from the Science of Happiness course include:
- Talking to strangers makes us happier, despite a majority of us shying away from such encounters.
- Social media is not bad for everyone, but it can be bad for those who focus on their reputation.
- Loneliness impacts on our health by impairing our immune systems.
- Optimism increases life expectancy.
- Giving gifts to others activates the reward centres in our brain – often providing more of a happiness boost than spending money on oneself.
- Sleep deprivation impacts on how well we are liked by others.
- Walking in nature deactivates part of the brain related to negative ruminations, which are associated with depression.
- Kindness and happiness are correlated.