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Research reveals that habits such as gratitude or meditation only improve mental well-being if they are practiced frequently.
A recent study published in the journal Higher Education revealed that although happiness can be learned, the key to maintaining its benefits lies in continued practice.
Research findings suggest that habits such as gratitude, exercise, meditation and journaling can significantly increase well-beingbut only if these practices are maintained over time.
The “Science of Happiness” course, based on the Yale University course “Psychology and the Good Life,” is designed to improve mental well-being through science. Covering topics from the biological and environmental determinants of happiness to practical advice on how to foster mental wellbeing, the course encourages students to engage with evidence-based activities – or “happiness tricks“. The goal is not just to educate, but to equip students with tools to actively improve their own mental health.
Previous studies have suggested that psychoeducational courses can improve psychological well-being in the short term, but it was uncertain whether these improvements lasted in the long term.
For the study, the authors collected data from students who participated in the “Science of Happiness” course and responded to follow-up surveys. Initially, invitations were sent to 905 students, of whom 638 had complete pre- and post-course data available. Of these, 228 students responded to the long-term follow-up survey, which took place between 12 and 29 months after the course ended, reports Psy Post.
Initially, students who participated in the course reported a significant improvement in their general well-being, with a increase of 10% to 15% on their scores on the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale. Around half (50.67%) reported continuing with at least one of the happiness-increasing practices introduced in the course, with gratitude being the most continued practice.
When researchers conducted follow-up assessments up to 29 months after completing the course, they noted that the increase in well-being was not inherently long-lasting. Only those who actively continued to practice the “happiness tricks” learned during the course were able to maintain improved levels of well-being in the long term.
The study highlights the importance of a proactive approach for mental health. However, the survey has some limitations, such as the potential for response bias and the challenges of ensuring a representative sample in long-term follow-ups.
