Basically, positive psychology is the scientific study of life worth living. It focuses on individual and societal well-being and how to improve them. It studies positive individual traits, institutions, and experiences.
Gratefulness
Gratitude is the practice of being thankful for something. It is a virtue that is derived from the Latin word gratia which means graciousness.
Practicing gratitude has been found to improve health and relationships. It also helps in dealing with adversity. It can also lead to a more optimistic attitude. Gratitude also leads to less stress, which improves physical health. It has also been shown to enhance performance in sports.
Researchers have been studying the benefits of gratefulness for years. They have found that grateful people experience fewer pain, aches, and toxic emotions, and more positive emotions. They also have stronger immune systems.
The best way to practice gratitude is to write about one thing that you are thankful for every day. You can write about your family, your home, your health, or an enduring memory.
Forgiveness
Various definitions of forgiveness have been proposed by scholars. They reflect existing models of forgiveness and emphasize different aspects of the concept. These definitions also help to explain the processes involved in forgiveness.
Positive psychology has led research on the topic of forgiveness. Many of the studies address its emotional, social, and physiological dimensions.
The research has identified a number of personal benefits of forgiving others. These benefits include lower anxiety, higher self-esteem, and less depression. In addition, they have found that greater levels of self-forgiveness are associated with lower levels of disordered eating.
In addition, studies have shown that not forgiving another person can cause a range of physiological effects, including increased heart rate and sympathetic nervous system activation. These negative emotions may contribute to higher stress, a higher risk of depression, and a greater sense of distrust of others.
Humility
Among the virtues studied in positive psychology, humility has received relatively little attention. Yet, researchers have discovered a strong correlation between humility and well-being.
Research indicates that humble individuals are more likely to demonstrate greater levels of gratitude, forgiveness, spirituality, and general health. They are also more likely to develop more satisfying relationships.
People who are humble are comfortable with who they are and do not get discouraged by criticism. They also are less likely to seek approval from others. They are also less aggressive toward other religious groups when they are challenged. They are less likely to perceive external threats and are more likely to maintain committed relationships.
Meaning and deep satisfaction
Throughout the years, positive psychology has explored various experiences and states that lead to deep satisfaction and meaning. These have ranged from positive emotions to being able to cultivate your personal identity.
A 2008 article published in the Journal of Happiness Studies found that people who were eudaimonic – which means happy – were prone to less reactivity to stress and had higher HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels. Interestingly, this study also found that people who were more eudaimonic were more likely to have stronger immune systems.
A more comprehensive study, conducted by Jo Ann Abe, took a long-term approach and allowed participants to integrate their experiences across time. The researchers found that feelings of awe were linked to greater life satisfaction. They also found that people who felt awe were more likely to report spending money on experiences that enhanced their sense of awe.
Health
Various studies have shown that positive psychology interventions have contributed to a number of well-being outcomes. They are also known to reduce morbidity and mortality, as well as influencing a variety of biological processes. However, the question remains as to whether or not these positive psychology interventions actually contribute to a better quality of life.
Fortunately, more research is being done to study the effects of positive psychology interventions on health outcomes. A number of articles have been published in journals such as Annals of Behavioral Medicine and Gut. These findings are promising.
Positive organizational scholarship is a scholarly field that explores how organizational dynamics contribute to the development of human strength and resiliency in organizations. It also seeks to understand the best of human condition, and cultivate extraordinary individual and organizational performance.
Challenges of the disease model
Traditionally, psychology has focused on identifying and solving psychological problems. However, the positive psychology movement offers a different approach. Instead of focusing on solving the problem directly, it focuses on the person and his/her strengths. The movement seeks to encourage people to recognize and cultivate the strengths that make them happy and healthy.
Positive psychology is the study of positive mental attitudes, positive psychological attributes, and positive life experiences. It is also a broad and multidisciplinary field that uses scientific methods to study optimal states and circumstances. This approach has been applied to various other scholarship fields such as education, psychiatry, and organizational behavior.
Positive psychology has a strong theoretical foundation. It is based on the belief that psychology should focus on well-being. It assumes that a life that is full of positive emotions, strength, and resilience can lead to a life full of health and happiness. It aims to provide a science-based, holistic model of healthy living.
