This is in conversation from Apple News. I'm Shemeita Bessu. Today, what does and doesn't work in the pursuit of happiness. I consider myself a generally happy person, but these past two years have really tested me.

The pandemic, serious health issues in my family, losing people that I loved.

That's why earlier this year I joined the millions of people who've signed up to take Yale's

happiness course.

It's an online class taught by Dr. Lori Santos.

I think we have this misconception that people are either happy or they're not, but the evidence

really suggests that through your behaviors and your mindsets, there are lots of simple things you can do to feel better

that we often don't even expect.

Over the course of 10 weeks, you're assigned to do a bunch of practices that are aimed at boosting

your mood and well-being. One week you're supposed to savor one experience. boosting your

mood and well-being.

One week you're supposed to savor one experience every day.

Could be a nice shower, it could be a cup of tea.

The next week you're supposed to perform seven acts of kindness.

Another week, meditate for 10 minutes. you're supposed to perform seven acts of kindness,

another week meditate for 10 minutes every day.

Lori's class has become so popular.

She now also hosts a podcast called The Happiness Lab, which covers many of the same topics as her

course. When I invited Lori to come on this show, I felt like I needed to admit something

to her. I really enjoyed the course. I got several weeks into it, but I did not finish it.

Things just got hard in my life, and I was really struggling to make time for my happiness.

So I told myself, I will come back to the course when I'm ready. I finally had the chance to complete a really crucial

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