Science-Based Practices for a Flourishing Life

Decades of research in social psychology and positive psychology have uncovered two important lessons about happiness and well-being: people can intentionally cultivate these emotions through science-based practices, and social connection is a major pillar for lasting happiness.

In this online workshop, you will learn how you can take simple, meaningful, and science-based actions to enhance your own well-being, as well as the well-being of those around you. From giving compliments, taking short walks in nature, and sharing a fond memory from the past, to writing letters from your future self, you’ll discover why such practices can create more joy and meaning, foster social and emotional well-being, and contribute to a more flourishing life.

Following the workshop, you’ll also receive access to an interactive toolkit that will help you translate your newfound knowledge and awareness into concrete daily actions. This free toolkit, designed specifically for workshop participants, offers bite-sized activities, scientific insights, self-reflection questions, and motivational quotes to inspire you to take positive actions. You can explore them at your own pace, or share these free resources with your friends, family, or colleagues to promote a culture of kindness and social support.

This class will not be recorded. Attendance at the live session is required to receive incentive points.

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Instructors: Xuan Zhao, PhD, is a research scientist at Stanford who develops science-based solutions to help people build positive social connections and inclusive environments. She earned her PhD in psychology at Brown and completed postdoctoral training at the University of Chicago, where she also worked with the Second City to design and deliver improv-inspired behavioral science workshops.

Julie Cachia is a PhD candidate in psychology at Stanford. She is passionate about empowering people to cultivate their own and others’ well-being using evidence-based tools. In her research, she is fascinated by what people ideally want in life, including what emotions they want to feel and the kinds of close relationships they want to have.

Class details are subject to change.