Online learning: Yale University course on the science of happiness has seen more than one million people enrol

'The Science of Well-being' had more than 600,000 sign-ups in March alone

Psychology professor Laurie Santos's class is now an online course titled 'The Science of Well-being' and is the most popular course ever offered at Yale University. Getty 

The most popular class in the history of Yale University, on the science of happiness, has seen about 1.3 million people enrol to its online version. That number, if anything, is an indication that a world caught in self isolation is looking for the secrets of being happy.

According to the university's news site, more than 600,000 people signed up for the course in March alone.

Titled 'The Science of Well-being', the course, which is taught by Laurie Santos, a professor of psychology, was first made available online for free in 2018. But it seems it has been rediscovered as more people stay home and look for ways to look after their physical and mental well-being. It is one of several courses offered by the university via Coursera, an online learning platform that gives it a 4.9 out of 5 star rating.

"The most uplifting, mind-changing course I have ever had," one review reads.

The 10-week course, which starts on Thursday, delves into misconceptions about happiness, why our expectations can make us unhappy and how we can overcome biases. The course requires only two hours every week.

For more information, visit Coursera