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The science of well-being

Pastoral Messages | January 26, 2023

There’s another Santos in the news right now besides George, the congressman from Long Island who’s making headlines for his lies. Laurie Santos is a popular professor of psychology at Yale University. We should say very popular. Her 2018 course, “Psychology and the Good Life,” recorded the university’s largest class attendance since it opened in 1701. Currently, she’s teaching a free six-week online course, the “Science of Well-Being for Teens,” which, as of today, has more than 16,000 people enrolled.

Santos believes we’re letting our young people down. In some studies, nearly 40 percent of teens are reporting poor mental health. As these adolescents experience high rates of anxiety, depression, sadness, isolation, and self-injury, we’re not pointing them in good directions to help them navigate mental health crises. Case in point, argues Santos: Well-intentioned parents often over-emphasize getting good grades and getting into the perfect college at the expense of so many other important things.

Happy teens, she says, don’t tell themselves the lie that perfect grades, or money, or the best college, or a significant other will guarantee their happiness. No, they focus on being kind to themselves, tuning out their inner critic, and thinking in more self-compassionate ways.

Happy people also tend to be other-oriented, she says. They’re focused on the well-being of others and bringing happiness into other lives. They’re interested in volunteering their time, donating their money, and doing acts of service or kindness.

This all sounds sensible as we think about strategies for slowing down that anxious voice that can arise from within. My only question is: Why would these remedying suggestions of Santos only apply to teenagers? My guess is that they don’t. And I don’t think we need to wait to see if she’ll offer a happiness class for other age groups. Mental health for plenty of adults would benefit from thinking in both more self-compassionate and more other-oriented ways.

Life gets better and the world becomes a more enjoyable place whenever any of us become kinder to others and kinder to ourselves. There’s no magic about this. And for some people it’s hard to achieve. But that’s why we share the journey.

-Peter W. Marty, senior pastor

8 Comments on “The science of well-being”

  • Janette Schmidt

    January 28, 2023 at 5:37 pm

    I have taken her class! Very helpful!

  • Marcia Willi

    January 28, 2023 at 10:30 am

    Peter
    This is so true! I volunteer @ a couple of things in the community and I know that i feel more fulfilled when I am giving back

  • Joan Bruce

    January 26, 2023 at 3:21 pm

    What thought provoking and timely message. There’s so much in it for all of us. I’d like to take Prof. Santos’ class. Thank you, Peter.

  • Joan Bruce

    January 26, 2023 at 3:14 pm

    What a thoughtful and fitting message. I especially tuned in to being kind to each other and too ourselves, tuning out our inner critique.
    Prof Santos’ class would benefit many of us. Thank you for sharing.

  • Linda Creighton

    January 26, 2023 at 2:24 pm

    Pastor Marty,
    In answer to your question, the times I’m the happiest is when I am God’s hands and feet. Serving bring me the most happiness, whether it’s bringing my grandchildren to church, handing out doughnuts and bulletins, or helping with Madison Market, just to name a few. All I want to hear from is God saying, ” Well done good and faithful servant!” I pray I’m passing that passion on to my grandchildren too, but something tells me they have servant hearts already!

  • Jerry Linn

    January 26, 2023 at 2:18 pm

    Peter: Excellent message. So relevant in today’s world. Jerry

  • Suzanne Benson

    January 26, 2023 at 2:13 pm

    Thank you so much for sharing!!
    Love is an active verb – for ourselves and others. Practice, practice, practice…

    • Stella Herzig

      January 26, 2023 at 8:01 pm

      Amen!!

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