The science behind being joyful
School counsellor putting happiness front and centre
What makes a person happy? Philosophers throughout the ages have pondered this question, with varying degrees of success.
Fittingly for our current scientific age, there is now a “science of happiness” and it’s a subject that has long intrigued Christie Hartlin. While doing her own research on the topic, Hartlin quickly realized this was something she could apply in her professional life as a school counsellor at Windsor Elementary and Three Mile Plains District Schools.
“The more research I did, the more it became clear that this would be perfect for the kids,” Hartlin said.
Three years ago, a small group of students began working on a few projects to promote happiness at school. It might be something as simple as recognizing and celebrating small acts of kindness among students.
“It snowballed from there, and now the projects involve all the Grade 5 students,” Hartlin says.
About 30 children in each school take part in the projects, working in groups of four or five students.
“It’s their final year at the elementary level, so that gives them a leadership role in the school.”
It’s widely accepted that helping other people leads to happiness. The first day of school can be a daunting experience for young children. A project this year at Windsor Elementary School has four Grade 5 students creating a welcoming video that will help incoming students feel at home when they arrive in September.
“It will also be for students who transfer here from other schools,” Hartlin adds. The participants are writing the script, narrating, shooting and editing the video, which they estimate will be about five minutes in length when completed. It will introduce the teachers, show the newcomers where to put their backpacks, and where the washrooms, gym, music room, and other rooms are located.
The process for each happiness project begins with Hartlin sharing some of her research on the science of happiness with the participating students.
“There’s been a lot of research on what makes people happy,” Hartlin says. “There are some pretty consistent themes when it comes to why some people are happy while others are not.”
While genetics play a role, the attitude and state of mind of the individual is also a key component. Perhaps surprisingly, a person’s circumstances – where they were born, grew up, live, work, etc. – play a relatively minor role in overall happiness, Hartlin says. She points out four consistent themes and activities that researchers have learned contribute to happiness:
Exercise — Whether through dance, running, walking, skating, yoga or stretching, the simple physical act of movement contributes important psychological benefits.
“Just moving your body increases your endorphins,” she says. “It’s a way to physically manipulate our brain chemicals.”
Gratitude — People who are grateful for what they have in life have a leg up in the happiness index.
Acts of positive reinforcement — This includes everything from smiling and laughing and telling jokes to meditation and playing music.
Good relationships — This is probably the number one thing that promotes happiness, Hartlin says.
“The more you foster positive relationships with people the more your happiness increases.”
The students are encouraged to share their own thoughts and observations about happiness, and then they begin brainstorming for projects that can be applied across the entire school.
“They not only learn about the science of happiness, but they get a chance to share it throughout the school, and have a leadership role in how it goes,” Hartlin said.