5 March 2019
Devon Williams
A new and improved version of the happiness groups is starting this semester at the Gallogy Recreation Center.
For eight weeks, starting in March, groups will meet at the UCCS Recreation and Wellness Center to discuss and learn practical ways of being happy.
According to Katie Gordon via email, the Recreation and Wellness Center’s Wellness Promotion Manager, the goal of the new group is “to educate participants on behaviors that happier people do (based on current research).” Each week, groups will learn from provided materials and be encouraged to incorporate what they have learned into their daily lives .
At the end of each week, participants will come back together and discuss how the experience of changing behaviors has t.
Some of the behaviors include: expressing gratitude, learning to avoid comparison with other people, trying new coping strategies for stress, and building positive relationships with yourself and those around you.
A previous version of the How of Happiness program was in effect last fall, and was based on a book of the same title. The book, “The How of Happiness” by Sonja Lyubomrisky, is described on amazon.com as “a comprehensive guide to understanding the elements of happiness based on years of groundbreaking scientific research,” as well as being “a practical, empowering, and easy-to-follow workbook.”
In their discussions, according to Gordon, groups would often reference Lyubomrisky’s research from both her book and social media platforms. The new groups will continue to do the same, referencing YouTube videos, TED Talks, and various articles on the subject of happiness.
Lyubomrisky is a professor of psychology at the University of California Riverside, with a Phd in social psychology from Stanford.
The new version of UCCS’ How of Happiness groups shares much in common with the previous one, including its mission, methods, and group structure. However, while the previous version ran for 10 weeks, the new one will only run for eight.
The group at UCCS will meet every Friday from 12 to 1. Participants are asked to attend as many sessions as possible in order to get the full effect. Gordon also noted that important foundational concepts will be discussed during the first two sessions, so students are encouraged to sign up as early as possible.
In her email, Gordon emphasised that the group is not a clinical therapy service, “and there is no individual or group therapeutic processing.”
“However,” Gordon said, “it is a great place to meet other students and build support as you implement changes in your lifestyle to become a happier person.”
Gordon wrote that previous groups have consisted of five to 10 people, but the new groups will be capped at 12 students in order to allow students to feel comfortable about sharing, adding that “We want this to be a group that builds social connection as much as improves wellness behaviors, and 12 people is big enough to have diverse perspectives but small enough to foster a group bond.”
In the past, participants have reported that they enjoyed their experience in the happiness groups, and have been able to have fruitful and helpful conversations.
Group meetings began on March 1, and will run through April 26. Admission is free, and open to all students. Students who are interested can visit uccs.edu/happiness, and sign up via an available form.
A previous version of the How of Happiness program was in effect last fall, and was based on a book of the same title. The book, “The How of Happiness” by Sonja Lyubomrisky, is described on amazon.com as “a comprehensive guide to understanding the elements of happiness based on years of groundbreaking scientific research,” as well as being “a practical, empowering, and easy-to-follow workbook.” In their discussions, groups would often reference Lyubomrisky’s research from both her book and social media platforms.
The new version of UCCS’ “How of Happiness” groups shares much in common with the previous one, including its mission, methods, and group structure. However, while the previous version ran for 10 weeks, the new one only runs for eight.