Had a blast bowling with our 2026 summer interns at Lucky Strike Fenway! 🎳 It was a fun chance to connect, share laughs, and get to know this talented group better. We’re grateful for the energy and fresh perspectives they bring this summer.

We hosted our first Summer Internship Alumni Panel at the Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness, where Emry Breedlove, Talyn Steinmann, and Sinwoo Bae shared advice on making the most of the summer, building connections, and navigating academic and professional growth.

In a new conceptual paper, Center affiliate Dr. Tyler VanderWeele and colleague propose an “epidemiology of microkindnesses”. Learn more here: https://internationaljournalofwellbeing.org/index.php/ijow/article/view/5521/1381 #wWellBeing #PositivePsychology

Last week kicked off our 2026 Summer Internship Program! We’re excited to welcome interns pursuing research in positive health and happiness while advancing our mission to train the next generation of positive health leaders. #PublicHealth #Wellbeing

Center affiliate Dr. Vikram Patel and colleagues examined 54 trials to see what actually helps people seek mental health support. Read about their findings here: https://tinyurl.com/5f7bsze2 #MentalHealth #GlobalHealth #HelpSeeking #PublicHealth #MentalHealthAwareness

A new meta-analysis by Center affiliate scientists Drs. Howard Koh and Tyler VanderWeele found that spirituality and religious involvement are linked to lower risk of harmful use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and other drugs. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2844883

In a major new study, Center affiliate Dr. Karestan Koenen and colleagues analyzed genetic data from over 1 million people across 14 psychiatric disorders. They found that many of these conditions share common genetic roots. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09820-3 #MentalHealth

Excited to share new research from Center affiliate scientist Dr. Peter James and colleagues, exploring how our everyday environments may shape how we think as we age. Read the study here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00127-026-03075-7 #BrainHealth #HealthyAging #GreenSpaces

Wrapping up our 2025–26 Virtues for Well-being series with one big takeaway: virtues like purpose, empathy, joy, & awe are research-backed drivers of health and resilience. Watch all 6 talks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0I603tNQZkQ&list=PLpeSy3F9WDWDiFR5DZqB91jXl84Qneynw

Thrilled to welcome 13 incredible interns to our 2026 Summer Internship! Over 600 applied, making this our most competitive year yet. Grateful for every applicant and excited to see what this cohort discovers. #HarvardInternship #SummerInternship #PublicHealth #HealthResearch

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.