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Online Class Spotlights the Science of Happiness

The 30-minute Zoom class focuses on science-based practices — such as gratitude journaling, “awe” walks and random acts of kindness — that can boost mood, resilience and overall well-being

David Lewellen,

AARP

Published November 01, 2026

two men sitting on a bench laughing together

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When Joyce Stout’s husband battled brain cancer, she found comfort in an online class — the Science of Happiness — offered by AARP Wyoming.

Stout, 59, lives in Torrance, California, but she was familiar with AARP’s lineup of virtual classes. Checking in every week with the online group helped her to get back into a routine of practicing mindfulness.

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The 30-minute Zoom class, held Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. MT, focuses on science-based practices — such as gratitude journaling, “awe” walks and random acts of kindness — that can boost mood, resilience and overall well-being. Stout says that the sessions are a chance for participants to connect and mutually support each other in their journeys. When her husband died in July, she felt safe telling the group about it.

“There’s a sense of community and connection,” she says.

The Colorado-based instructor, Lucy Flood, has been teaching similar classes for more than a decade, offering a range of practical habits people can develop in their daily lives to increase happiness.

“I expose people to a whole range of practices, knowing that some work better for some people than others,” she says.

Flood adds that she’s found that older adults have more life experience and more wisdom to apply when it comes to figuring out what works for them.

But she cautions that chasing happiness directly can often backfire. Instead, she encourages students to deliberately schedule things that they already enjoy, and to take the time to recognize their own enjoyment. During the class, Flood intentionally creates time for people to connect.

“Many of these practices can be a beautiful antidote to the isolation of our time,” she says.

The classes will be offered through the end of the year. Go to aarp.org/wyevents to register.