Psychology of Happiness

DON’T WORRY BE HAPPY

The Psychology of Happiness course focuses on mindfulness.

Photos & Story | Cassidy Smith

For some students who are involved in clubs, athletics, and scholar programs, as well as balancing jobs and adulthood, the first year of college can be overwhelming.

Based on a 2009 survey conducted by the American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA II), “Thirtynine percent of college students will feel hopeless during the school year, 25 percent will feel so depressed they’ll find it hard to function, 47 percent will experience overwhelming anxiety, and 84 percent will feel overwhelmed by all they have to do.”

Practicing mindfulness and meditation at the start of the day is proven to help students feel less stressed. So, if it feels like schoolwork is taking over, or balancing work, school, and life seems to have become too much, one course in particular might be a class to consider.

Psychology of Happiness is a newer class to the Hutchinson Community College campus. In 2015, a HutchCC student decided for their honors project they would start a happiness project for grade school-aged kids where they would practice happiness. After creating the course material, it became clear that the information would be far too complicated for a younger audience to comprehend. Dr. Ryan Diehl, English Professor, then suggested that the class could be an official college class.

Christopher Lau, Coordinator of Advising, Career Development, and Counseling at HutchCC, worked closely with the student and the project. He decided to teach the class as a two-hour credit for college students. Just recently, Lau passed this course on to Melody Wagler, Social Worker, who is teaching this fall semester class.

“The first half of the class is divided into what is happiness, how different cultures and religions think about happiness, and define happiness,” Lau said. “For years, we’ve known everything we can know about depression and anxiety and there’s negative emotional experiences, but where and when did the science of human thriving come about?”

Lau teaches his students about mindfulness, which is a key component of being happy. The definition of mindfulness is, “a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.”

This is exactly what Lau allows his students to learn and practice in the class. He uses meditation techniques to help students become more aware of their surroundings.

“It’s honestly very relaxing,” Liz Graber, Pretty Prairie, said. “We usually meditate in the beginning of class. It honestly gets my brain to focus on the now instead of on the past or the future. I enjoy it but it is also difficult most times. Definitely something to practice.”

Practicing meditation techniques before class allows his students to relax and get focused. College students tend to have a lot on their mind and can be stressed with other classes, work, personal life, or the future.

Giving students a break at the beginning of class for a chance to unwind and breathe sets the attitude for the day. A lot of times students can blame being unhappy on bad events and not understand that the root of happiness is in the choices they make and how they perceive things. This class is an “exploration of happiness” according to Lau, it is a way for students to learn new ways to de-stress and focus.

Mindfulness is good for our minds, it increases positive emotions & helps fight depression.

Alec McCuan, Hutchinson, practices mindfulness by meditating. McCuan was also a part of the HutchCC football team.

Photo | Cassidy Smith

During a class discussion, a HutchCC students engages with the class. The student then explained her response to a question.

Photo | Cassidy Smith

A HutchCC student breathing techniques demonstrated during class to practice mindfulness.

Photo | Cassidy Smith

I think meditation and other methods of achieving mental relaxation would be helpful in stressful situations.

“A lot of students will try out these different activities and go, you know, I didn’t realize how good it feels to walk outside without myphone and just pay attention to the way the air feels and the sun on my skin,” Lau said.

Being present in conversations or classes is hard for some students. When practicing mindfulness, it allows the body to be focused on relieving that stress.

“Honestly I don’t think back to that class often, but if I were to keep it in mind, I think meditation and other methods of achieving mental relaxation would be helpful in stressful situations,” Serena Chantra, Fairfield, said.

Meditation takes practice and dedication. Being able to put aside all the chaos from the day and focus on having a positive mind is hard to do, especially for college students. Taking 10-15 minutes before starting the day to relax and start off on a positive note can help understand mindfulness and how it truly helps. For some, it may be helpful to receive tips on how to meditate effectively. Lau suggested a free application called Headspace or watching YouTube videos.

Graber said, “I’ve attempted practicing meditation and mindfulness, which is a huge part of this course, and it has proved to be useful from time to time.”

College is difficult. It may appear overwhelming and time-consuming, but it all boils down to attitude and perspective. For busy students,balancing all of the pressures and stresses of adulthood can be tough. Fortunately, our campus offers a course to help students learn that they have control over how they handle stress. If a student finds they are struggling, take a break. Block out 10 minutes of the day and meditate, think positive and from the wise words of Bob Marley, “don’t worry, be happy.”