Happy people enjoy countless benefits - not just feeling good, but enhanced productivity and creativity, more fulfilling relationships, superior physical health, and even longer life. Until recently, however, many scientists were pessimistic about the very notion that happiness can be lastingly increased. First, happiness is heritable and very stable over the life course; and second, we have a remarkable capacity to adapt to any positive changes in our lives. Dr. Lyubomirsky will describe how our genetically-determined "happiness set point" predicts just 50% of happiness, while a mere 10% can be attributed to differences in life circumstances. This leaves a surprising 40% of our capacity for happiness within our power to change. Drawing on research with thousands of participants, she will present a program to increase health and happiness in our day-to-day lives by introducing a dozen uniquely formulated "happiness strategies" - intentional activities, or mindful actions that we can practice on a regular basis. We'll look at the critical factors that bolster our likelihood of success and how to understand and overcome the many obstacles to happiness. In sum, much of our health and happiness is within our control when we demystify the many myths that unnecessarily complicate its pursuit.