Some intriguing research suggests that positive
psychology can help you weather the routine ups and downs of life and also build
resilience for times of greater difficulty.
Here are three ways to capture the benefits of
positive psychology.
Express gratitude.
Gratitude is a thankful appreciation for what you have — from a roof over your
head to good health to people who care about you. When you acknowledge the
goodness in your life, you begin to recognize that the source of that goodness
lies at least partially outside yourself. In this way, gratitude helps you
connect to something larger than your individual experience — whether to other
people, nature, or a higher power. Set aside a few minutes every day and think
about five large or small things you're grateful for. Write them down if you
like. Be specific and remember what each thing means to you.
Get your
copy of Positive Psychology
 |
Leverage your strengths. To
reap the benefits of your strengths, you first need to know what they are.
Unfortunately, according to a British study, only about one-third of people have
a useful understanding of their strengths. If something comes easily to you, you
may take it for granted and not identify it as a strength. If you are not sure
of your strengths, you can identify them by asking someone you respect who knows
you well, by noticing what people compliment you on, and by thinking about what
comes most easily to you.
Certain strengths are most closely linked to
happiness. They include gratitude, hope, vitality, curiosity, and love. These
strengths are so important that they're worth cultivating and applying in your
daily life, even if they don't come naturally to you.
Savor the "good." Most
people are primed to experience the pleasure in special moments, like a wedding
or a vacation. Everyday pleasures, on the other hand, can slip by without much
notice. Savoring means placing your attention on pleasure as it occurs,
consciously enjoying the experience as it unfolds. Appreciating the treasures in
life, big and small, helps build happiness.
Multitasking is the enemy of savoring. Try as you
might, you can't fully pay attention to multiple things. If you're scanning the
newspaper and listening to the radio during breakfast, you're not getting the
pleasure you could from that meal — or the newspaper or radio program. If you're
walking the dog on a beautiful path but mentally staring at your day's to-do
list, you're missing the moment.
For more information on drawing on your strengths and
finding the positive meaning in your life, purchase Positive Psychology, a Special
Health Report from Harvard Medical School.
No comments:
Post a Comment