Honored to recognize our 2026 Dissertation Research Award recipients, Logan Nicole Beyer and Laura Chen, for advancing positive health through research on neighborhood environments, time as a health resource, and policies that support well-being. #PublicHealth #PositiveHealth #HealthEquity

We wrapped up our final well-being workshop of the year with a joyful session led by Priyam Bhushan Aturi, MPH ’26: “Harmonizing for Happiness,” on the science of group singing and health—ending in a 3-part “Three Little Birds” chorus. Thank you Priyam! #Wellbeing #MusicTherapy

On April 15th we concluded our Virtues for Well-Being series with Dr. Demond Hill on “actionable awe” and collective flourishing. Missed it? Watch the full recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0I603tNQZkQ #Wellbeing #MentalHealth #HealthEquity #CommunityEngagement #PositivePsychology

We’re excited to co-sponsor an upcoming seminar organized by the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences on the human–animal bond and its impact on health and #wellbeing. Lunch will be provided! RSVP here: https://harvard.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5nbAzdv2O5JL6WW

Our “Harmonizing for Happiness” workshop is this Wednesday! 🎶 Join a low-pressure group singing session open to all Harvard community members—no experience needed. Lunch provided. RSVP: https://harvard.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_56WUsE40fjV6BWS #MentalHealth #Wellbeing #Harvard

Last chance to register for our final Virtues for Well-being seminar with Dr. Demond Hill: this Wed, Apr 15, 1–1:50pm ET (FXB G13 + online). Learn more & RSVP: https://hsph.harvard.edu/health-happiness/events/virtues-for-well-being-a-seminar-with-dr-demond-hill/ #MentalHealth #HealthEquity

Thanks to everyone who joined our “Redesigning Calm” workshop on biophilic design, led by Olivia Song, MPH ’27. We explored how nature-inspired spaces support health, reduce stress, and improve focus. How would you redesign your space? #BiophilicDesign #Wellbeing

Sing your way to less stress! 🎶 Interactive group singing workshop for the Harvard community—no experience needed. Explore simple vocal tools for calm, connection, and joy. RSVP: https://harvard.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_56WUsE40fjV6BWS #Wellbeing #StressRelief

Do you overshare? In "Revealing: The Underrated Power of Oversharing," Dr. Leslie John of Harvard Business School shows how wise self-disclosure can help us thrive. Watch: https://share.descript.com/view/bBz2FD5xHps

Apr 15, 1–1:50pm (FXB G13 + online): Virtues for Well-being with Dr. Demond Hill on youth, “actionable awe,” and health equity. Learn more + RSVP: https://hsph.harvard.edu/health-happiness/events/virtues-for-well-being-a-seminar-with-dr-demond-hill/ #MentalHealth #Wellbeing #HealthEquity

Proud to share that our 2024 summer intern, Subodh Potla, MPH, co-authored a new paper on nonuniformed emergency responders with mentor Dr. Susan Peters at Harvard Chan. Grateful for Subodh’s work and Dr. Peters’ guidance. Read: https://wmpllc.org/ojs/index.php/jem/article/view/3988

Harvard students, staff, and faculty are invited to Redesigning Calm, a hands-on workshop on how spaces affect mental and physical well-being. Use art to imagine environments that ease stress and restore focus. RSVP today: https://harvard.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3JBCrhqbK6RvfQG

Honored to host Dr. Emiliana Simon-Thomas of UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center for our Virtues for Well-being series, sharing the Big Joy Project’s 7-day “micro-acts” to boost happiness and connection. Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZMTn5UunpU #Wellbeing #Joy

How might healthcare change if clinicians, public health leaders and faith communities worked together? Drs. Leesa Lin and K. “Vish” Viswanath explore this in Nature Health: https://www.nature.com/articles/s44360-026-00063-8 #populationhealth #healthsystems

Reminder: Sign up for THIS WEDNESDAY’s talk with Dr. Emiliana Simon-Thomas (1–1:50pm ET, FXB G13 + online). Learn how the Big JOY Project’s micro-acts can boost joy and well-being. https://hsph.harvard.edu/health-happiness/events/virtues-for-well-being-a-seminar-with-dr-emiliana-simon-thomas/

To those of you who missed last Wednesday's seminar, "Born to Flourish", with Dr. Richard Davidson, don't worry! You can watch the event recording on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWKe5L0Q0p0

All members of the Harvard community are invited to Redesigning Calm, a hands-on workshop exploring how our surroundings shape mental and physical well-being. Use art to reimagine spaces that ease stress and restore focus. RSVP TODAY! https://harvard.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3JBCrhqbK6RvfQG

What shapes our happiness—circumstances, genes, or choices? Learn the answer from Dr. Simon-Thomas at her March 11 seminar: https://hsph.harvard.edu/health-happiness/events/virtues-for-well-being-a-seminar-with-dr-emiliana-simon-thomas/

Thrilled to celebrate "Revealing: The Underrated Power of Oversharing" by Center Affiliate Scientist Dr. Leslie John, James E. Burke Professor at Harvard Business School. Grateful to interns Shannon Constable, Claire Dirks, and Rebecca Atholz for their support: https://www.lesliekjohn.com/

Last chance to RSVP for “Born to Flourish” this Wednesday, Feb 25, 1–1:50 p.m. (online only) with Dr. Richard Davidson—a global leader in the science of well-being and the emotional brain. RSVP: https://harvard.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7ZMfB0gs14zVrgi

Mar 11, 1–1:50pm ET (FXB G13 + online): Join Dr. Emiliana Simon-Thomas, Science Director at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, to explore the Big JOY Project—simple science-based “micro-acts” to boost joy + connection. RSVP: https://hsph.harvard.edu/health-happiness #Wellbeing #MentalHealth

Modern medicine is secular and scientific, but many patients draw on religion to understand illness, suffering, care and recovery. New Nature Health article by Drs. Leesa Lin and K. “Vish” Viswanath: https://www.nature.com/articles/s44360-026-00063-8 #wellbeing #healthcare

Proud to share that our Center Director, Dr. K. “Vish” Viswanath, served as a Keynote Speaker at the 9th Joint Seminar of Hiroshima University & NISE, advancing dialogue on equity, communication, inclusion, and wellbeing across cultures.

Religion can influence health through social support, behaviors and beliefs, and may also shape stigma, information and care decisions. New Nature Health article by Dr. Leesa Lin and Dr. K. “Vish” Viswanath: https://www.nature.com/articles/s44360-026-00063-8 #publichealth #religion

Thrilled to welcome our newest Research Assistant, Olivia Song, an MPH student at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. She studies how health, housing, and the built environment shape well-being. #PublicHealth #Research #HealthEquity #HarvardChanSchool

Last chance! Applications for our 2026 Summer Internship are due Sunday, Feb 1. Spend your summer at Harvard advancing health and happiness science with leading scholars. Apply now: https://hsph.harvard.edu/research/health-happiness/summer-internship-program/ #HarvardInternship #SummerInternship

What if well-being were a trainable skill? Join neuroscientist and bestselling author Dr. Richard Davidson for “Born to Flourish” on Wed, Feb 25, 1–1:50 PM, FXB G13 + online. Details & RSVP: https://hsph.harvard.edu/health-happiness/events/virtues-for-well-being-a-seminar-with-dr-richard-davidson/

Center affiliate Dr. Kirsten Davison and colleagues examined how #empowerment theory can strengthen community-based research partnerships. https://jprm.scholasticahq.com/article/137015-leveraging-psychological-empowerment-in-community-based-participatory-research-a-case-study #HealthEquity

A recent study by Center affiliate Dr. Eric Kim and colleagues explored the connections between life satisfaction, stress, and health. Read it here: https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fhea0001538 #LifeSatisfaction #StressManagement #MentalHealth #Wellbeing #HealthResearch

Feb 25, 1–1:50 PM FXB G13/online: Join us for Born to Flourish with Dr. Richard Davidson on how mental training boosts resilience and well-being. RSVP: hsph.harvard.edu/health-happi... #Neuroscience #MentalHealth

A study by Center affiliate Dr. Ichiro Kawachi and others found that relative deprivation is a key psychosocial factor undermining human health and flourishing. Learn more here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0277953625008688?via%3Dihub #Inequality #MentalHealth #Wellbeing

Feb 4, 1–1:50 PM in Kresge 202A: Join our well‑being workshop with Anya Greenberg, SM ’26, on how TTRPGs like Dungeons & Dragons 🎲 can boost confidence, connection, and well‑being. Lunch provided 🍽️. Harvard‑ID holders welcome. RSVP: https://harvard.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6sN4d1zQW98Olgi

A recent study by Center affiliate Dr. Ichiro Kawachi and colleagues reviewed social isolation trends in 159 countries over the last 16 years. Learn more about their findings here: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2838875 #Loneliness #SocialIsolation #MentalHealth

Check out Center affiliate Dr. Glorian Sorensen’s new book, which offers practical, research-based strategies for creating healthier and more supportive workplaces: https://academic.oup.com/book/61421 #WorkplaceWellbeing #OccupationalHealth #Leadership #EmployeeWellness

Grateful for our amazing Research Assistants and Student Engagement Committee! Your passion and creativity power the Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness. Proud to celebrate this team with Director Viswanath. #PublicHealth #MentalHealth #Wellbeing #PositivePsychology #StudentLeadership

As we say goodbye to 2025 and look ahead to 2026—our 10th year—we’re grateful to everyone who’s joined our journey. Your support drives our work to advance positive health, happiness, well-being, and health equity in research, practice, and policy. #PublicHealth #HealthEquity

✨ Reminder! TOMORROW, 1–1:50PM, Kresge 202A: Join our well-being workshop with Jeniece Brock, DrPh ’27! Make a vision board & plan a joyful 2026. ☕🍪 Hot chocolate, cookies, & pizza served! 👉 RSVP now: https://harvard.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bkqT6E9MpeAMTuC

Applications are now open for our 2026 Summer Internship Program. Learn more from past interns here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qmr06ia4fY Then visit our website & apply today: https://hsph.harvard.edu/research/health-happiness/summer-internship-program/ #harvardinternship #summerinternship

We’re excited to welcome two Harvard Chan School MPH candidates as our new RAs: Devan McClain, who brings experience in health communication and rural and global health, and Abigail Palaza, whose work focuses on healthy aging and clinical research. Welcome aboard!

On Nov 20, Center Student Engagement Committee member Kris Berg, MPH ’26, led our first well-being workshop: “Working With Your Brain.” Participants learned neurodiversity-affirming strategies to ease overwhelm, boost focus, and build sustainable motivation.

Learn from Dr. K. “Vish” Viswanath and Dr. Rifat Atun in a 6‑week online course on Public Health Communication and Advocacy. Build key communication and advocacy skills. Register by Dec 11: https://execedonline.hsph.harvard.edu/public-health-communication-and-advocacy

This week, Colleen McGrath, our 2025 Dissertation Research Award recipient, presented her work on prostate cancer survivorship and how social connectedness and caregiver support shape outcomes. Congratulations, Colleen! #CancerSurvivorship #PublicHealth #Caregiving #SocialConnection #HealthEquity

Next Monday, December 8th, from 12-2 in the Kresge atrium, the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences' Community and Belonging committee invites all students, staff, and faculty of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to join us for an origami-making workshop!

Applications are due TOMORROW for our Postdoctoral Research Fellow position, so apply today! https://academicpositions.harvard.edu/postings/15436 #Postdoc #AcademicJobs #ResearchJobs #PublicHealth #Wellbeing #Hiring

Dr. Sara Lazar published a paper exploring how meditation can help scientists align personal values with ethical scientific practices, and recommending practical mindfulness-based programs to support integrity in research. Read it here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12671-025-02646-0

Want to know how mindfulness can boost your mental and physical health? 🌱 Check out this video featuring Center affiliate and renowned mindfulness expert Dr. Sara Lazar, as she dives into the science and benefits of mindfulness practice. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SEcbpxtTQ4&t=2s

Earlier this month, Assistant Director Kelsey Torres and Program and Research Coordinator Karina Duffy presented about our Center to the Mississippi Delta Scholars, a program advancing health and well-being in the Delta through research, engagement, and leadership.

Reminder: RSVP for our well-being workshop TOMORROW, 1–1:50 PM in Kresge 502! Learn neurodiversity-affirming strategies to manage stress & boost motivation. Fidget toys provided! Open to Harvard community: https://harvard.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cPk9z7Xejq5FzPo

Last week, Richard Weissbourd discussed how our culture’s focus on achievement and happiness can undermine children’s moral growth and well-being. He highlighted the importance of nurturing kids’ moral and social development. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtJPtj6-J4w

We're hiring! The Center seeks a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to advance research on positive health, happiness, and health equity. Doctorate required. Full-time, hybrid. Apply by Dec 2: https://academicpositions.harvard.edu/postings/15436 #Postdoc #AcademicJobs #ResearchJobs #PublicHealth