Martin Seligman, an American psychologist known for his experiments on learned helplessness and depression, defined Positive Psychology as the scientific study of human strengths and virtues.
This psychological current is dedicated to the study of optimal behavior. It studies the elements that allow you to live a functional and optimal life, and does not study deficient functioning as Psychology has been doing until now.
It focuses on the stable positive traits of the person, and does not analyze the pathological and harmful. It is the scientific study of virtues, vital meaning, resilience, and well-being, based on evidence, to improve the life of the individual and society. It proposes a change of focus: we not only need to reduce what generates discomfort, but also promote what generates well-being. We cannot live only in the absence of anguish, we also need to generate positive emotions
Can we be happier? If we can. In the analyzes of the Sustainable Happiness Model, it is extracted that the genetic influence on being happier is 50%. The circumstances that occur in life would account for 10%, and the activities and attitudes (what we do) would account for 40%.
Is it worth it to be happier? Happiness can cause and is correlated with many desirable outcomes in life (achieving professional and personal goals, relationships, health…) The people who are happier are also:
Interventions from Positive Psychology increase well-being and reduce depressive symptoms. They are more effective than traditional interventions.
On an emotional level, pleasant activities are encouraged. And at a behavioral level, uses human strengths in new and different ways : courage, humanity, vital meaning or transcendence, moderation, justice, and wisdom and knowledge. On the other hand, at a cognitive level, it encourages learning strategies to increase positive cognitions (optimism, generation of vital meaning…)
It cannot always be used, but it does work when:
What is psychological well-being?
On the one hand, we need to have more frequent positive affects. This is, personal relationships that bring happiness, calm and well-being (family, friends, partner, work or leisure colleagues…). On the other hand, having infrequent negative affects. That is, reducing contact with people with whom we do not feel comfortable or cannot be ourselves. And finally, it is important to observe the cognitive evaluation we make of our life satisfaction. That is, how we value our life in general.
There are five pillars of well-being that have proven to be of special importance in promoting levels of well-being in a balanced and sustainable way:
Let’s ask ourselves, do we dedicate time to our well-being? Or are we just trying to reduce uncertainty and discomfort in our lives?
