The Science of Well-Being (Coursera)

Offered by Yale University,
The Science of Well-Being (Coursera)

In this course you will engage in a series of challenges designed to increase your own happiness and build more productive habits. As preparation for these tasks, Professor Laurie Santos reveals misconceptions about happiness, annoying features of the mind that lead us to think the way we do, and the research that can help us change. You will ultimately be prepared to successfully incorporate a specific wellness activity into your life.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Introduction

WEEK 2
Misconceptions About Happiness
What do we think will make us happy?

WEEK 3
Why Our Expectations are so Bad
Why do we mispredict what makes us happy?

WEEK 4
How Can We Overcome Our Biases
How we counteract our annoying features of the mind?

WEEK 5
Stuff that Really Makes Us Happy
What can we do to improve our happiness?

WEEK 6
Putting Strategies into Practice
How can we intentionally put these strategies into practice and build healthier habits?

WEEK 7
Start Your Final Rewirement Challenge
What rewirement will you commit to for the next 4 weeks?

WEEK 8
Continue Your Rewirement Challenge
How can you rely on others to help you change your behaviors?

WEEK 9
Continue Your Rewirement Challenge
How can you design your environment to help you change your behaviors?

WEEK 10
Submit Your Final Assignment
What mindset can you have to appreciate your progress so far and continue your progress beyond the course?

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Meditation: A way to achieve your goals in your life (Coursera) Coursera
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology - KAIST

Meditation: A way to achieve your goals in your life (Coursera)

Do we truly think that we have lived for ourselves? Perhaps we have lived for money, love, fame, family and pride etc.? Therefore, we don’t seem to be satisfied even though we are full of those things. It is because that we don’t know ourselves. Eric Fromm talked about human nature as two modes of being: “To Have” and “To Be”. If we are “Having” the nature of possessions, we are not satisfied, and feel empty and futile. Then, how can we be “Being” the nature of our inner-selves? Sometimes, we happened to be aware of this “Being” nature and try to change ourselves, but fail. But, because of our daily routines, it’s easily forgotten. And more it is hard to escape from our unwanted minds controlling us.

Aug 3rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
SEL for Students: A Path to Social Emotional Well-Being (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado Boulder

SEL for Students: A Path to Social Emotional Well-Being (Coursera)

Social and emotional learning, or SEL, programs have flourished in schools during the last decade. In this course the instructor (Emily Price) introduces you to the history and framings of social and emotional learning preK-12 curricula, as well as various elementary, middle, and high school SEL programs and associated research.

Aug 3rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
The Changing Status and Perception of Animals (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado Boulder

The Changing Status and Perception of Animals (Coursera)

In this course, we explore how mainstream understandings of animals and human-animal relationships have changed in recent years. Module 1 focuses on the roles of animals in human physical health and psychological well being. Module 2 explores animal selfhood, particularly in light of their inability to use spoken language. Finally, Module 3 examines some of the collective efforts undertaken when the treatment or use of animals comes to be seen as inhumane, immoral, and worthy of ameliorative social action.

Jul 27th 2026
3 Weeks
Trabajar para ser feliz (Coursera) Coursera
Universidad Austral

Trabajar para ser feliz (Coursera)

En nuestra vida diaria nos movemos a toda velocidad por diferentes escenarios: la familia, el trabajo, la vida social. Muchas veces podemos quedar atrapados en la vorágine o en la rutina del día a día y olvidarnos de algo importante y que da sentido a todo lo que hacemos: cómo ser felices y cómo hacer felices a los que nos rodean en casa y en el trabajo. Hoy en día existe una confusión, porque estamos muy centrados en el “bienestar”. Vivimos en una cultura que tiende al consumismo, al activismo y nos olvidamos del “bienser”, entendido como ese sentido de plenitud que lleva a sentirse bien con uno mismo y con su entorno.

Aug 10th 2026
4 Weeks
Positive Psychology: Martin E. P. Seligman’s Visionary Science (Coursera) Coursera
University of Pennsylvania

Positive Psychology: Martin E. P. Seligman’s Visionary Science (Coursera)

Dr. Martin E.P. Seligman—renowned worldwide as the “father of Positive Psychology”—has led visionary leaps in the scientific research, empirical data and personal understandings of human flourishing. This course explores the past, present and future of positive psychology as a journey through the key scientific leaps led by Dr. Seligman and his colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania's Positive Psychology Center and Master of Applied Positive Psychology program.

Jul 27th 2026
4 Weeks
Bienestar, equidad y derechos humanos (Coursera) Coursera
Universidad de los Andes

Bienestar, equidad y derechos humanos (Coursera)

En la actualidad es muy frecuente escuchar debates en torno a los derechos humanos, la equidad y el bienestar de la población. Muchas personas incluyen estos conceptos en sus conversaciones cotidianas y también son parte de la mayoría de documentos de política pública, programas de gobierno y proyectos de diversas organizaciones. Sin embargo, nuestra experiencia en docencia, investigación, intervención y evaluación nos ha permitido establecer que pocas veces lo que se plantea acerca de estos temas se materializa en acciones concretas que cambien tanto la manera como las personas se relacionan entre sí como la valoración que hacen de la vida que tienen.

Aug 3rd 2026
3 Weeks
Psicología Positiva (Coursera) Coursera
Tecnológico de Monterrey

Psicología Positiva (Coursera)

En este segundo curso conocerás desde la historia de la psicología positiva, es decir; la ciencia que la respalda como enfoque, los diferentes modelos del bienestar y también podrás identificar las prácticas que puedes realizar para impactar tu bienestar y el de quienes te rodean. Es importante mencionarte que no necesitas ser un psicólogo o personal de la salud mental para poder realizar estas prácticas que te ayudarán a florecer.

Jul 27th 2026
4 Weeks
Finding Purpose and Meaning In Life: Living for What Matters Most (Coursera) Coursera
University of Michigan

Finding Purpose and Meaning In Life: Living for What Matters Most (Coursera)

In this course, you’ll learn how science, philosophy and practice all play a role in both finding your purpose and living a purposeful life. You will hear from historical figures and individuals about their journeys to finding and living a purposeful life, and will walk through different exercises to help you find out what matters most to you so you can live a purposeful life.

Aug 3rd 2026
4 Weeks
Mindfulness and Well-being: Living with Balance and Ease (Coursera) Coursera
Rice University

Mindfulness and Well-being: Living with Balance and Ease (Coursera)

This is the sequel course to Foundations of Mindfulness that will continue to provide a broad overview of the fundamental concepts, principles, and practices of mindfulness. With interactive exercises to help students explore their own attitudes, mental habits and behaviors, Foundations of Mindfulness series offers a pathway for living with more freedom, authenticity and ease. Featured components of the course include experiential exercises, guided meditations, personal reflection and interactive discussions.

Aug 17th 2026
4 Weeks
Aromatherapy: Clinical Use of Essential Oils (Coursera) Coursera
University of Minnesota

Aromatherapy: Clinical Use of Essential Oils (Coursera)

This course provides an overview of essential oil therapy and current aromatherapy practices in clinical settings and gives you the skills to bring aromatherapy into your own practice. By the end of the course, you will be able to: a) explain what essential oils are to a patient and how they work; b) assess if an essential oil might be beneficial to a patient, considering patient preference and the research evidence, as well as any safety issues or contraindications; and c) suggest a protocol for use in a clinical setting.

Jul 27th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Mindfulness and Well-being: Peace in, Peace Out (Coursera) Coursera
Rice University

Mindfulness and Well-being: Peace in, Peace Out (Coursera)

The purpose of this course is to introduce mindfulness as a robust tool for spiritual development. Highlighting its rich traditional roots, the course explores the capacity of mindfulness to expand understanding about the nature of human consciousness and facilitate certain transcendent emotional experiences, including awe, wonder and flow.

Aug 3rd 2026
4 Weeks