Yale's Most Popular Class, The Science of Well-Being, Is Open to All and Worth Taking

If you're in the house and looking for something to do, I'm all about finding hobbies that make you feel like the best version of yourself. Whether that's sewing, baking, or working out, it feels really good to be productive and get something done. A friend of mine told me about a course called The Science of Well-Being ($49), which is taught by Yale professor Laurie Santos and available on Coursera, and I decided to check it out. I'm now convinced that it should be required learning for everyone.

The class studies happiness and all the misconceptions that come with it. You'll learn that happiness doesn't just mean one thing and complete exercises to increase your own happiness and build more productive habits. Using science-based evidence and practical applications, this understanding of well-being is something that everyone can benefit from. The lectures are broken up into digestible video clips, and the reading isn't long, no more than an hour or two per week. In just 10 weeks, you can learn about rewiring your brain to understand what actually makes you happy and put those principles into action. It's probably one of the most productive things I can imagine doing with my time at home.

There are two ways you can take this class. For $49, you can have full access to the course; you're graded like a Yale student, and you get a certificate of completion from the school. If you sign up for the free version, you're essentially auditing the class, so you get access to all the materials but don't get formally graded and don't get the certificate of completion. As someone who has struggled with anxiety, I can't wait to dive deeper into this course. Santos is not only brilliant, her lectures are engaging and easy to listen to. As a lifelong learner, I'm thrilled that this class exists, and I've already shared it with all my friends. Here's to making ourselves a little bit happier each day.