Class One: Some common obstacles to happiness and how to overcome them

This introductory class covers some of the most common obstacles to happiness and how to overcome them.

Suffering
Pleasure vs. happiness
Sadness vs. depression
Positive vs. negative motivation
Negativity bias
Importance of positive goals
Problem solving vs. goal achievement

Class Two: Practical techniques to facilitate our happiness

Class two discusses several specific techniques to facilitate our happiness.

Pattern interruption
Turning complaints into goals
Scaling
Asking what and how, rather than why

Class Three: What makes us who we are?

Class three explores what makes us who we are, and how to be who we want to be.

Thinking/Feeling/Acting Exercise
Identity balance
Two problems of motivation
Problems vs. preferences

Class Four: Building optimism

Class four discusses the importance of an optimistic outlook and several specific ways to build optimism.

Hope vs. wishful thinking
Common unhelpful beliefs
Subtle ways to build hope
Reframing
Labeling

Class Five: Making and breaking habits

Class five covers strategies for making helpful habits and breaking unhelpful ones.

The pain that comes from trying to avoid pain
False vs. true self care
Breaking/making habits

Class Six: Managing stress, anxiety, and anger, as well as creativity

Class six includes strategies for managing stress, anxiety, and anger, as well as ways to develop our creativity.

Class Seven: Communicating effectively and devloping your sense of humor

Class seven helps us communicate more effectively, which results in better relationships, more successful careers, and happier people.  It also covers development and refinement of our sense of humor as an important ingredient in happiness and a protective factor against depression.

Class Eight: Medication and the science of happiness

Class eight walks you through the decision to take (or not take) medication and the science of happiness (positive psychology).