On Monday, Solent Health hosted their first Happy Café in association with Action for Happiness. We wrote a post on the events that will be taking place in the university a few weeks ago - Student Happy Café Launches at Solent and with the very first one being hosted on top of the pod in the Solent Conference Centre, we went along to find out what it's all about.
What is a Happy Café?
(Taken from actionforhappiness.org)
A Happy Café is a café that is part of the Happy Café Network created by members of the Action for Happiness movement. It is a place where those seeking happier lives for themselves and others can connect with each other over a coffee and learn science-based skills for enhancing psychological wellbeing. These skills are set out in the Ten Keys to Happier Living, which include developing good relationships, doing good for others, taking a positive approach, trying out new things and being comfortable with who you are.
The Happy Café ran from 11-3pm with people already queuing before it had officially opened. As part of the café, students and lecturers were able to enjoy a free cup of tea or coffee courtesy of Sodexo while taking part in activities such as mindful colouring, neck and shoulder massages, pre-loaded pod casts, a mini library of books on leading a happier life and mindfulness as well as a happy wall where you could write down what makes you happy on a post it note and add it to the wall.
At the beginning of each session there were breathing exercises and a little talk on why happiness is important and how you can implement it in your every day life. There were also two students from the Student Wellbeing group ready to talk if you had any questions.
The Happy Café was a big hit which was great to see. There will be more in the future and when we have exact dates and locations, we will share on our social media so make sure you're following us on Twitter.
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