Greater Good in Action (UC Berkeley)

What it is

Greater Good in Action (GGIA) is a collection of "science-based practices for a meaningful life", curated by the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley. Each practice is drawn from a published study, and the page tells you how much time it takes, how often to do it, why it works and the evidence behind it.

What you get

• Practices grouped by the five "keys to well-being": gratitude, kindness, mindfulness, resilience to stress and connection.
• Areas of life: mind and body, relationships, family and the workplace.
• Clear steps for each practice, such as Three Good Things, the Gratitude Letter, Best Possible Self, Self-Compassionate Letter and Active Listening.
• An optional free account to save practices and track what you have tried.

Who it suits

Students and young professionals who want something more concrete than "be positive", people who like to know the research behind an exercise, and anyone trying to build closer friendships or recover after a hard stretch.

How to use it well

• Pick one practice from one key and do it for two weeks before judging it.
• Three Good Things is an easy start: each night, write down three things that went well and why.
• Use the connection practices (such as Active Listening) when you are building new friendships at university or in a new city.
• This is wellbeing support, not treatment. If low mood lasts for weeks, see the Looking after your mental health roadmap for when to get help.

Pair it with on Sefism

• Gratitude and connection practices fit Building your support system.
• Resilience practices fit Handling rejection and setbacks.
• Best Possible Self is a useful exercise inside Knowing yourself.
• Ask Tauseef a question if you want advice on your own situation.

Best for: small, research-backed exercises for gratitude, kindness, stress and connection.