DISCOVER Movement for Happiness

We all know that movement is good for our bodies — but did you know that movement is essential to our happiness? That’s right, engaging in frequent physical activity is an effective way to improve your overall wellbeing — both physically and mentally. While movement has long been considered a preventative measure (e.g., reducing the risk of depression, anxiety, or heart disease), it’s more recently been studied as a strategy to promote positive mental health outcomes such as happiness. In the short term, movement induces positive mood states — there’s no minimum dose of movement required to get an immediate feel-good effect. In the long run, physical activity leads to higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction. Movement is a necessary ingredient in a flourishing life. Unfortunately, individuals with autism tend to be significantly less active and less happy. So, let’s get moving to boost happiness for ALL!

EXPLORE Movement for Happiness

Start exploring the benefits of moving your body to maximize your wellbeing.

LEARN

Start here for an overview of this skill and to learn the science and benefits.

PRACTICE

Begin to integrate this skill into your routines to enhance your wellbeing.

TEACH

Help your students learn and apply this skill. A range of free materials is included.

SPREAD

Share the benefits of this skill with your school, family, and others.

Unit Study with print, video and digital resources to practice and teach Movement for Happiness.

Download our RESOURCE BUNDLE

movement for happiness practice thumbnail

More Skills of HAPPINESS

Movement for Happiness

Gratitude Letter Writing

Showcase the Good

Positivity Portfolios

Strength Spotting

Jolts of Joy

Character Strengths

What Went Well

PERMA+ Snapshot

View All Skills

How is YOUR Wellbeing?

Take Our Survey

Learn More about the SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS

What parents and educators are saying!

"Many times happiness is overlooked and not really thought about with our students. Often there is an agenda to just teach and teach and teach and not really think about the student as a whole. So really taking the time to think about happiness in that student as a whole becomes an important aspect to developing a student that is well rounded."

— Angela, Educator —

"Burnout in this field is a thing. And proof positive helps staff look at what they're grateful for, highlight strengths and have a positive approach to each day."

— Jeremy, Educator —

"Many times we think of the deficit instead of looking at the positive in students and that's where positive psychology comes in. Look at what they can do, not what they can’t do. I already see such a difference in what we've incorporated through Proof Positive – people are truly trying to engage with each other."

— Erin, School Nurse —

"Resilience is the superpower that allows us to cope, flex, and love our kids through the hardest moments, all while enabling us to be present and supportive on the happiest days. Positive psychology has helped our entire family-including our son, learn how to nurture this skill, and we are better humans because of it."

— Maria, Parent —

"Proof positive is so important because they bring a science based, fresh perspective on how to do this for both staff and students. If we keep the vision of [wellbeing for all] there’s no telling where we can go."

— Peter, Executive Director, EPIC School —

"We used to believe that when our son was successful, he would find happiness. But the harder we worked toward reaching the traditional goalposts of autism treatment, the further away both of those things felt. When we began incorporating positive psychology, everything shifted. His skill acquisition skyrocketed, and even more importantly, so did his self-esteem. We had it backwards--when our son found happiness, success followed."

— Christina, Parent —

"What proof positive is doing to help support the staff is really shedding light on the importance of happiness in what we do. It shows our staff that we can teach our students and give them these tools to be able to live the good life."

— Angela, Educator —

"Learning the skills of happiness made my whole life better."

— Sebastian —

"I’m so excited … happy me journal."

— Dylan —