The Science of Health and Happiness 2.0
Welcome to the RCSI Centre for Positive Health Sciences' Science of Health and Happiness 2.0 course – a transformative journey designed to explore the intricate connections between health, happiness, and holistic well-being. Building upon the success of our previous course, we're thrilled to introduce an updated curriculum that delves deeper into the science behind positive health.
Over the course of 11 weeks, you'll embark on a comprehensive exploration led by esteemed experts from the RCSI Centre for Positive Health Sciences. Week by week, you'll uncover the essential principles and practices that contribute to a fulfilling and flourishing life.
If you're interested in delving deeper into this area, explore our academic courses for further study and research opportunities. Join us as we unlock the science behind happiness and health, and embark on a journey toward holistic well-being.
New content will be released each Wednesday morning.
This lecture is delivered by Professor Ciaran O'Boyle, Director, RCSI Centre for Positive Health Sciences. It will include the World Health Organisation definition of health. The definition of Positive Health will be unpacked, and you will be given an overview of our work at the Centre for Positive Health Sciences and an introduction to relevant fields and concepts.
- Watch 'Week 1 – Positive Health and Getting Started' here.
Useful resources:
RCSI MyHealth: Paving the Path to Wellness with Dr Beth Frates
This lecture is delivered by Dr Jolanta Burke Senior Lecturer, RCSI Centre for Positive Health Sciences. It includes a brief exploration of main topics relating to the good life, i.e. happiness, meaning, flourishing and psychological richness. What do they mean and why do they matter?
- Watch 'Week 2 – A Journey into the Good Life' here.
Useful resources:
This lecture is delivered by Dr Pádraic Dunne, Senior Lecturer, RCSI Centre for Positive Health Sciences, and explores mind-body connections in health and disease. How are our minds, our brains and our bodies interlinked? What are the roots of positive health?
- Brain, mind, and body connections
- The brain
- Threat perception
- The autonomic nervous system
- Stress
- Immune response
- Stress, immune response and sickness behaviour
Watch 'Week 3 – Mind-body connections' here.
Useful resources
This lecture is delivered by Dr Pádraic Dunne, Senior Lecturer, RCSI Centre for Positive Health Sciences. Today we explore the concept of increasing our health span alongside our life span, focusing on the practices observed in blue zones, emphasizing whole health through lifestyle medicine principles such as regular physical activity, healthy nutrition, stress management, social connections, and abstaining from risky substances, while also delving into the significance of cultivating meaning and purpose in life for overall health and well-being.
Watch 'Week 4 – Whole Person Health' here.
Useful resources
This lecture will be delivered by Prof Christian van Nieuwerburgh, Professor of Coaching and Positive Psychology at RCSI Centre for Positive Health Sciences. It will focus on the roles of “meaning in life” and “purpose” in the way that we perceive the world. People with a clear sense of purpose who find their lives meaningful are more likely to experience higher levels of subjective wellbeing.
Watch 'Week 5 – Meaning and Purpose for Well-being' here.
This lecture is delivered by Dr Jolanta Burke Senior Lecturer, RCSI Centre for Positive Health Sciences. Dr. Burke will guide participants through an exploration of invaluable tools and methodologies for fostering holistic well-being.
Watch 'Week 6 – 'The Positive Health Tools' here.
Useful resources
Watch 'Week 7 – Meditation for Health' here.
Useful resources
This lecture is delivered by Dr Elaine Byrne, Senior Lecturer and Dr Trudy Meehan, Lecture, RCSI Centre for Positive Health Sciences and focuses on the value of arts practice for health and wellbeing. It will give an overview of the research evidence, examples of good practices and explore how to bring making and beholding art into your everyday life as a health behaviour.
Watch 'Week 8 – Well-being Arts - Part A - Dr Trudy Meehan' here.
Watch 'Week 8 – Well-being Arts - Part B - Dr Elaine Byrne ' here.
Useful resources
This lecture is delivered by Dr Mary Collins, Lecturer, RCSI Centre for Positive Health Sciences. It includes an overview of the World Health Organization Workplace Well-being framework. You will learn about an individualised approach by explaining Self-determination Theory at work, and the importance of engaging your strengths and passions through your work.
Watch 'Week 9 – Health and happiness at work' here.
Useful resources
This lecture is delivered by Dr Trudy Meehan, Lecturer, RCSI Centre for Positive Health Sciences, and focuses on understanding how to cultivate positive emotions. It argues for the importance of self-compassion and explores the role of our environment and the people around us in our health and wellbeing.
Watch 'Week 10 – Going beyond yourself – Interconnection and Context' here.
Useful resources
This lecture gives an overview of the previous weeks. It explores how to build on the learnings from the course and build good habits and take further positive steps to sustain changes. We will also give you an overview of the formal study options available at the Centre for Positive Health Sciences and the future ongoing work of the Centre.
Watch Week 11 here - Bringing it altogether
Useful resources