Information provided by Christina Chapman

This calendar is a way to try out some positive activities that may help you feel a little better, and it was created by several groups of students. The first group is Active Minds; Active Minds hopes to change the conversation about mental health.

As the national website states, “We believe no one should have to struggle alone. By empowering young adults to speak openly about mental health, we can reduce stigma, encourage help seeking, and prevent suicides.”

At their November meeting, students were brainstorming ways to get out information about positive activities people could do, and they thought of this calendar idea. Chapman took the idea to her SOSC 132 Science of Happiness students and asked them if they’d like to take this on, and they said yes.

Students chose the happiness activities that most interested them, and created videos using Lumen5. Chapman took the short videos they made and the corresponding Greater Good Science Center links and created the Happiness Habit Calendar Challenge.

Detailed directions and research for each happiness activity can be found at the GGSC links or in the information summarized in the student videos.

We do want to note that these activities can make you feel a little happier, but they are not a substitute for counseling or professional help if you need it. Our counselor is available at 468-4125, or if it is an emergency, call 911, or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, or text BRAVE to 741741.

Our hope is that students will check out and try some of the activities listed on the calendar. Some of the activities are meant to be repeated (like thinking about three good things every day) and hopefully they will become habits that will help bring a little more happiness to students’ lives.

If you’re interested in joining the Active Minds student group, contact Alice Bunjan at abunjan@lc.edu. If you are interested in joining the Science of Happiness class, SOSC 132, please ask your advisor or contact Chrissie Chapman at cchapman@lc.edu.

Check out some of the suggestions from the Greater Good Science Center or take a look at the student-created videos!

Try Yoga!
-GGSC link: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/why_yoga_is_good_for_your_body_and_brain_according_to_science 
-Some suggestions!
https://www.bustle.com/p/9-best-yoga-with-adriene-videos-according-to-a-superfan-18363870

Mindful Breathing
-GGSC link: https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/mindful_breathing
-Student Video: https://youtu.be/jHUk_BXnssM

Write a Gratitude Letter
-GGSC link: https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/gratitude_letter
-Student Video: https://youtu.be/cubt2yTp16A

Awe Walk
-GGSC link: https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/awe_walk
-Student Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9_lfkiEi-U&feature=youtu.be

Active Listening
-GGSC link: https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/active_listening
-Student Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9MnO9Mk8rY&feature=youtu.be

Self-Compassionate Letter
-GGSC link: https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/self_compassionate_letter
-Student Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tdhwy0WIFKA

Go for a Walk!
-Local Park: Nature Institute 2213 S Levis Ln, Godfrey, IL
-Map: https://www.thenatureinstitute.org/trail-maps/

Give It Up
-GGSC link: https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/give_it_up
-Student Video: https://lumen5.com/user/isaiahchurch02/copy-of-untitled-vid-7r12v/

Feeling Connected
-GGSC link: https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/feeling_connected

Random Act of Kindness
-GGSC link: https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/random_acts_of_kindness
-Student Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0_5CAC0rBA&feature=youtu.be

36 Questions for Increasing Closeness
-GGSC link: https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/36_questions_for_increasing_closeness
-Student Video: https://lumen5.com/user/kariniastokes/untitled-video-51o71/

Check in on Loved Ones
-GGSC link: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/social_connection/definition#what-is-social-connection
-Student Video: https://youtu.be/mxbjVx1ehCE

Body Scan Meditation
-GGSC link: https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/body_scan_meditation

Go for a walk!
-Local Park: LaVista Park Route 3
-Map: https://www.trailforks.com/trails/la-vista-main-trail/

Positive Emotions and Resilience
-GGSC link: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/the_power_of_positive_emotions

Three Good Things
-GGSC link: https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/three-good-things
-Student Video: https://youtu.be/NJ3jDk1-iDo

Self-compassion break
-GGSC link: https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/self_compassion_break
-Student Video: https://youtu.be/6111LzuxtRc

Activity Nine Steps to Forgiveness
-GGSC link: https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/nine_steps_to_forgiveness
-Student Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_h-_uNVARA&feature=youtu.be

Exercise
-GGSC link: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/exercise_reduces_stress_especially_for_social_butterflies
-Student Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mNiLn9tayE&feature=youtu.be

Letting Go of Anger through Compassion
-GGSC link: https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/letting_go_of_anger_through_compassion
-Student Video: https://youtu.be/mL1lRbWszVk

Go for a walk!
-Local Park: Pere Marquette State Park-just past Grafton
-Map: https://www.greatriverroad.com/pere-marquette-1/pere-hiking-trails-map

Common Humanity Meditation
-GGSC link: https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/common_humanity_meditation

Gratitude Meditation
-GGSC link: https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/gratitude_meditation
-Student Video: https://youtu.be/rI-0ZHOzgmY

Mental Subtraction
-GGSC link: https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/mental_subtraction_relationships
-Student Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94Obqooalj0&feature=youtu.be

Shared Identity
-GGSC link: https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/shared_identity
-Student Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fR6e9xeKkVM&feature=youtu.be

Noticing Nature
-GGSC link: https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/noticing_nature
-Student Video: https://youtu.be/fBdveeF0LT0

Loving Kindness Meditation
-GGSC link: https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/loving_kindness_meditation
-Student Video: https://lumen5.com/user/adlawrence/untitled-video-g07dq/

Go for a walk!
-Local Park: Glazebrook Park 908 Stamper Ln. Godfrey
-Map: https://godfreyil.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/glazebrook.pdf