Drexel University professor Eric Zillmer, director of Drexel’s Happiness Lab, recently published a map of the 28 happiest places in Philadelphia, based on a project from his Psychology 101 class, writes Beatrice Forman for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Acknowledging that people in their 20s are the unhappiest age group in the country — burdened by a loneliness epidemic, financial instability, a difficult job market, and the ongoing challenges of growing up — he used his class to help students focus on the small pockets of happiness already present in their lives.
The resulting map of the happiest places was uploaded online on June 18 and has already been viewed more than 40,000 times to date. An oversized version will be on display at Drexel’s W.W. Hagerty Library as part of the Philadelphia Challenge exhibit through November 30.
“As a psychologist, I’m trying to help my students focus on what’s good about Philadelphia and what’s good about their lives, instead of what’s negative in their city in their lives,” said Zillmer.
The list of happiest spots includes usual favorites such as the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Cira Green, the Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center, and Rittenhouse Square, as well as lesser-known gems like the unofficial cat park at 526 N. Natrona Street in Mantua.
Read more about the map and Philly’s happiest spots in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
_____
