The Science of Happiness

by Libby Cudmore

A walk in the wood is more than just a pleasant way to spend an afternoon.

It’s the key to restoring your focus.

“When you’re working tirelessly on a project, your directed attention eventually depletes and you will have difficulties concentrating,” said Lisa Onorato, professor of psychology. “To rejuvenate, engage in an alternate, nature-based activity.”

Onorato’s research focuses on attention restoration theory, which views attention as a limited resource.

According to Onorato, activities such as strolling a nature trail, watching a sunset, sitting on a park bench, gazing at the scenic view from your window, or imagining you’re at the beach have restorative properties.

“Even having plants in your workspace can be helpful,” she said.

Onorato has spent much of her own research on the science of creativity and balance. Now on sabbatical, she’s putting together a “reader” — collected articles, studies and reports — for her senior capstone classes, which she believes will help students build fulfilling lives and careers.

One goal of the reader is to help her students think about how they would define ‘a good life’ and see how a chosen career would fit in with that vision.

“Psychologists have found that happiness, meaningfulness and psychological richness are the three major conceptualizations of a good life, and we explore each of these through our readings,” she said. “There’s great wisdom to be found in the literature on what we regret most and what we want to be most remembered for.”

Other goals of the reader are aimed at well-being, helping students with soft skills employers are looking for and preparing students to navigate the career world.

Articles include topics such as passion, life goals, the science of happiness, work-life balance, the advantages and disadvantages of remote work and emotional intelligence. She also recommends pieces which address setting boundaries, avoiding burnout, being adaptable and resilient, navigating office politics and overcoming task paralysis. The reader will also include discussion guides and questions.

Onorato intends to pilot the reader during J Term and then make it available outside Hartwick.

When Makenzie Kensel ’25 feels her attention waning, she puts into practice what she learned in Professor Onorato’s class.

“I go out and take a walk outside to center myself,” she said.

But when she can’t go outside, she knows that a photo — and the scent of pine — will do the trick too. As a member of Onorato’s cognitive psychology research class, Kensel, a psychology major, was part of the team that examined how looking at photos of nature enhances creativity.