The Good Life Lab:
Exploring the Ingredients of Happiness
March 18, 25, April 1, 8, 15, 22
On-Campus – Wednesday 1:10 pm – 2:50 pm
What does it really mean to live the good life – especially in the second half of life? What strategies, ideas and techniques can you use to help make your life just a little bit better? For those who are curious and reflective, we explore these questions in a safe, supportive and interactive environment. Drawing on research from positive psychology, neuroscience, philosophy and real-life wisdom, we invite participants to explore “the good life” more fully. Through discussion, reflection, meditation and group exercises we explore key ingredients of happiness including purpose, relationships, strengths, gratitude, resilience, health and self-growth. Additional materials may include readings, videos, podcasts and hands-on experiments. Bring your lived experience into the conversation so we can learn from each other as much as from the materials. Includes previously covered material
- Week 1: Searching for the good – Positive psychology field and the science of well-being
- Week 2: Pleasure, meaning and purpose – Finding more meaning, purpose and joy in life
- Week 3: Shifting your perspective – Beliefs, thought patterns, control and resiliency
- Week 4: Inner peace and balance – Letting go of myths, “miswantings” and attachment
- Week 5: Social relationships – Barriers and strategies to build and strengthen connections
- Week 6: Staying healthy – Practices and rituals to improve health and well-being now
Nancy Follis earned her BS degree from Ithaca College. After earning her master’s degree in education from Harvard University, she founded Health Management Consultants (HMC), a consulting and training company in Manhattan. HMC was designed to help corporate clients improve employee health, performance and productivity on the job through education, motivation, consultation and support. In addition to being an entrepreneur and business leader, she’s been a director of a not-for-profit organization, personal and business coach, speaker at international events and adjunct faculty member at NYU and NCC (now CT State Community College Norwalk). Now semi-retired, Nancy continues to enjoy teaching yoga, improv comedy and English in Ukraine (via Zoom).