Buzz
Krysta enrolled in UC Berkeley’s The Science of Happiness course with no clear expectations. Her prior experience was limited to a personal development boot camp that touched on positive psychology. However, after facing a major disagreement in her marriage, she credits the course with influencing her decision to pursue a divorce.
“Two key insights stood out,” she remembers. “One focused on predictors of divorce, and the other compared the happiness levels of couples with and without children. Both groups had similar overall happiness, but those without kids experienced fewer emotional fluctuations.
“The core of our problem was my change of heart about having children due to health reasons,” she explains. “I used to confide in him about everything, but this issue created such a conflict that I couldn’t rely on him for support.”
Rather than relying on self-help books or YouTube, thousands of individuals, including Krysta, have turned to online courses to master essential emotional skills. While many in America may be considering divorce, an equal number are investing time in learning evidence-based strategies for living a fulfilling life.
Access free techniques from anywhere
Emiliana Simon-Thomas co-created and oversees the free online Science of Happiness course, which Krysta enrolled in back in 2014, the year it debuted. Hosted on EdX, the course distills the latest research on practices like gratitude, self-compassion, and achieving ‘flow’ over a ten-week period.
She shares that she’s been applying mindfulness, forgiveness, and reconciliation strategies from the course during lockdown:
I consciously work on strengthening my ability to apologize and forgive
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While I don’t adhere to a rigid, formal practice like meditating for 45 minutes with a candle, I make a conscious effort to stay attuned to my mental and physical state throughout the day.
“Initially, we were quite taken aback,” Simon-Thomas admits. “It’s been incredibly affirming for me on a personal level. It’s given my work a profound sense of purpose. I’m still amazed by its impact.” So far, 600,000 people have enrolled, with daily sign-ups tripling in April.
“It’s somewhat humbling because it highlights the demand,” she notes, “and how desperately people are seeking guidance, assistance, and clarity about the sources of their happiness. Lives are transforming.”
Dedicate time to mastering new skills
Another widely recognized course exploring the science of happiness is Yale’s Science of Well-Being. Since its free online launch in 2018, it has attracted over two million participants. Laurie Santos describes its success as “a bit surreal, to be honest.”
Santos emphasizes that free online access to the course and its evidence-based content were crucial:
I aimed to make this content accessible to everyone at no cost. Emphasizing scientifically-backed evidence was essential. As a scientist, I wanted to avoid offering empty platitudes.
In her email response for this article, she mentions striving to live by her teachings. Initially, I received her automated reply, stating she’s reducing email time and directing me to an FAQ. Currently developing a version of the course for younger audiences, Santos also hosts the Happiness Lab podcast and dedicates time to her students.
“I’ve safeguarded my well-being by frequently saying no and prioritizing my time to make room for friends, family, students, and loved ones. But it’s challenging,” she admits, “and requires effort.”
Recall what you already understand
Unlike Krysta, Nicola, an expat who recently relocated to the US, had already made significant life changes before enrolling in The Science of Wellbeing. Last summer, she quit her job in the UK, moved abroad, and got married. She realized she needed additional support to manage the transition:
Despite the positives, managing everything was overwhelming: missing loved ones, not having a steady job, adjusting to a new relationship, getting married, and adapting to a new country. I didn’t anticipate the emotional toll of so many changes
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I’m usually resilient and handle change well, but there were moments when I felt overwhelmed.
Nicola had prior experience from yoga teacher training, so some course concepts were familiar. What she valued most was the course’s structure and accountability: “Many tools were things I already knew and practiced. It highlighted those and encouraged me to apply them consistently.” She has since finished the Yale course and secured a new job.
Enhance communication during lockdown
2020 taught many of us the true meaning of ‘cabin fever.’ For Professor Jay Buckey, an astronaut and physician, it was the ideal time to launch the PATH program to the public for free. PATH and its counterpart, Expedition-APPP, were originally designed for astronaut training, focusing on conflict resolution, stress management, and mood improvement.
“I was amazed by its international reach,” Prof. Buckey recalls. “Participants joined from Poland, Brazil, and many English-speaking countries like Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. It seems many challenges are universal.”
Given its popularity during lockdown, Prof. Buckey and his team aim to make the program more modular, allowing participants to select specific sections, and to offer “refresher” sessions for returning learners who want to revisit key concepts without retaking the entire course.
John moved in with his partner during lockdown and notes that they “rarely argued” before. He credits PATH techniques, particularly Fair Fighting, for reducing the intensity of conflicts and speeding up reconciliation.
While some advice seemed tailored for teams, he found it beneficial: “I’ve applied many of the strategies to prevent arguments with my partner, whom I moved in with during the pandemic in cramped conditions, from escalating and to resolve them fairly.” He also mentions using de-escalation techniques when intervening during a neighbor’s dispute involving the police.
Prof. Buckey admits he frequently uses interest-based negotiation and focused breathing, but emphasizes that recalling these skills in critical moments is crucial. “In stressful, isolated situations, people often forget what they’ve learned. I remind myself: ‘Wait, I know how to handle this.’” He chuckles: “‘I need to pause and apply the techniques we teach.’”
Don’t rely on courses to mask deeper issues
Nicky Walton-Flynn, a psychologist and trauma therapist with a decade of experience, acknowledges that courses offering basic CBT-style guidance can help reshape negative thought patterns. Similarly, behavioral change courses and mindfulness apps (she often recommends Headspace to clients) are effective in calming overactive minds.
However, she emphasizes that these tools are not a replacement for professional therapy: “For individuals with attachment disorders, personality disorders, or trauma histories, attempting emotional regulation without the guidance of a qualified therapist can be risky. True emotional regulation involves rebuilding trust, rewiring neural pathways, and addressing somatic responses with another person—not through an app or in isolation.”
For instance, while gratitude practices are beneficial at certain therapy stages, Walton-Flynn notes that some clients must first process justified anger before embracing gratitude:
This is where I find online courses potentially problematic. Vulnerable individuals often blame themselves and believe they can fix their issues through mindfulness or gratitude exercises. While these practices have value, they are not standalone solutions. They require the support of a group or therapist.
Courses can be effective for managing work stress or life transitions, but mental health demands more: “If you’re dealing with a co-occurring disorder, trauma, or a DSM-V-recognized condition, these issues must be addressed with a therapist.”
When I imagine happiness, I picture serene beaches, playful wire-haired terriers, and chilled dark chocolate. I don’t envision tearful Zoom therapy sessions, divorce, or online lectures. Yet, as Krysta reflects on her marriage: “Our differences were irreconcilable. I left to allow him to pursue his dreams and to free myself from a life of guilt.” Sometimes, happiness emerges from painful decisions.
Happiness also stems from mundane, steadfast efforts. Courses like those from Berkeley and Yale, along with programs like Dartmouth’s, make no grand promises. Yet, for countless learners, they uncover the straightforward, evidence-backed truths about living a more fulfilling life.
