(Posted on behalf Sierra) Through these turbulent times, it’s difficult to unplug from the news circuit and prioritize mental well-being. The COVID-19 pandemic has left many of us with barren schedules and feelings of anxiety. I myself have been very tempted to close the curtains and withdraw into the comforts of my bed, drowning all worries in Netflix and true crime – a temptation I regularly succumb to (not to brag, but I finished streaming Tiger King in two and a half days). However, soon after this nation-wide shutdown began, I made a decision to take advantage of the rare opportunity that’s come with this devastating crisis: free time.

Big-top Bonanza

I’ve never had so much of it! Maybe in elementary school when summer vacation promised limitless fun and presented me with Phineas and Ferb’s “annual problem”: “finding a good way to spend it”. Except, this isn’t a vacation, and leaving our homes isn’t a viable option at the moment, so that rules out both fighting a mummy and climbing up the Eiffel Tower. Alas, in search of a solo indoor activity, I turned to Coursera.

Coursera is an online learning platform, founded by Stanford professors. The website has free online modules and certifications from internationally acclaimed universities. It’s a tome of anything you could ever want to learn! If I’m being honest, it was a bit daunting at first: did I want to study Italian? Graphic Design? Water Supply and Sanitation Policy? The world was my digital oyster!

I was paralyzed by indecision when a friend texted me to suggest a course she’d taken, offered by Yale University. It’s called The Science of Well-Being. Having spent a week in the throes of panic, this course seemed like the perfect way to occupy some time and learn some healthy coping skills – it also excited me that I’d be able to say I was taking a course with Yale University.

The 10-week course is comprised of short weekly video-lectures by Professor Laurie Santos, supplemented by at-home activities with tracking-sheets, and optional reading lists. The “homework” assigned is simple and doesn’t consume too much time, which has helped me keep myself accountable. Additionally, Coursera suggests a study plan that can be directly linked to Google Calendar. I set the goal for myself to study on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons for thirty minute sessions, and my calendar app alerts me when it’s time to hunker down and “hit the books”.

The lectures address “annoying features” of the mind, goal setting, the importance of sleep, and more. The instructed content seems intuitive, but as the course progresses, it becomes clearer that the things we innately feel will make us happier (a Benz, another thousand Instagram followers, marriage, that promotion you’ve been after, etc.) rarely make a real positive impact on our sense of well-being. Professor Santos discusses illuminating psychological studies, and specifies concrete changes we can make in our lives to create more space for happiness.

I’m currently in week four of the course, and already noticing that I have a more positive mindset. That isn’t to say I don’t get upset about everything going on, but the weekly activities have helped me appreciate the small things more than I usually do. A few of these “homework” assignments include writing five things down every day that I’m grateful for, savoring joyful moments, refraining from purchasing non-essential material goods, and finding daily ways to tap into my “Character Strengths” (mine are Love, Curiosity, Appreciation of Beauty, and Social Intelligence – find out yours here).

I have always enjoyed checking out the latest popular self-help book, ranging in subject matter from boosting creativity to curating a minimalistic lifestyle. But even minimalist literature offers stressful advice that oftentimes relies on accumulation (e.g. establish a wardrobe of only high-quality pieces that you love). “The Science of Well-Being” course provides a soothing antidote to more invasive self-help strategies, which require radical change in behavior. The modules show us that we already have everything we need to be happy. Again, it seems obvious, but Professor Santos somehow makes it stick in a way it hasn’t before. I don’t know if it’s all the free time I’ve dedicated to the cause, those cool infographics, or that Yale University know-how, but this course is enlightening me! I was particularly surprised to learn that people who win lotteries, for example, return to their “baseline happiness” quite soon after that jackpot win. These things, that we hope will make us happier, don’t have as much power as we might think; the most powerful happiness tools are free.

While I am writing from a place of privilege – seeking entertainment through these times can hardly be classified as a “problem” – it is important to prioritize mental health, as the current pandemic is not just a medical tragedy. Whether you’d appreciate a buoy of support through these tricky times, you want to add more structure to your day, or you’re just looking for something to do, “The Science of Well-Being” course is definitely worth checking out. If this particular subject doesn’t appeal to you but you’re still interested in learning a new skill, I’d highly suggest browsing through Coursera. The website allows you to search by category, so it’s easy to find an offering that aligns with your interests and personal development goals.