This is the final but an equally important pillar of a healthy lifestyle.
We are social animals. We need our friends and family to be around us. We cannot consider ourselves in isolation because we are always a part of a bigger group- our family, our community and our society.
Positive Psychology is the study of that which allows individuals and communities to flourish and thrive.
It focuses on amplifying well-being by utilizing one’s strengths, being optimistic and seeking positive experiences which are meaningful.
Even if an individual may eat healthy, exercise regularly, sleep well but has no purpose in life and does not know the feeling of positivity by contributing to society in someway, such an individual is missing the most important aspect of well being. The sense of achievement, purpose and contribution. The happy feeling of being instrumental to create positivity for someone else!
Traditional psychology approach is finding the weakness or deficit and addressing it to help the individual cope with it or overcome it. Positive psychology complements this by using a strength based approach. It helps the individual identify their strengths and use them to feel a sense of achievement. This helps the individual feel better. Everyone can follow the principles of positive psychology to enhance a sense of overall wellbeing.
What are these principles? These can be summarized as the PERMA model. Let us look at them one by one.
1. P – Positive Emotions
To identify and seek positive emotions consciously. These are joy, gratitude, serenity, interest, hope , pride, inspiration, love….. this list is not exhaustive and we can keep adding to it.
2. E – Engagement
Doing each work with dedication and full commitment. No task is big or small. Whatever we do, we do honestly while pouring our heart into it. To do work with being fully present in the moment and nit think of anything else. Eg. Being mindful about the simple chore of washing dishes. To find joy in thoroughly cleaning them and acknowledge the fact that clean dishes are now there for all to use.
Being honest and sincere in the project work at office and find joy in the fact that you tried to increase efficiency by implementing methods you learnt. If you succeed that gives a sense of achievement. If you do not succeed, you have learnt a valuable aspect which will be useful in future….the positive approach that we learn from our mistakes.
3. R – Relationship
To develop positive social connections with other humans. To seek your tribe. Find people you resonate with and those who uplift you. This will increase positive emotions and increase well-being.
4. M – Meaning
To find meaning in our actions and try to align our actions to our core values and beliefs. When our actions align with our values, it gives a sense of satisfaction and enhances well being. It is so important to find a larger purpose for our life and connect our daily living to a broader and higher narrative. Eg. Parents tend to get bogged down by parenting demands and looking after their kids. But if they look at it as a calling with a higher purpose, that of creating the personality of their child in every interaction they have with them, parents are more likely to look at parenting as a privilege and not as a chore.
Rather than looking at cooking as a menial chore, if you start looking at it as a solemn responsibility to nourish your family, a privilege that you have been given to contribute positively to your family’s wellbeing, you are more likely to do a better job at cooking. No wonder it is said that the meals cooked with love for the people we love, truly taste better!
Similarly when we make it a habit of finding a higher purpose to our work, we are more likely to give our best and get better satisfaction in return.
5. A – Accomplishments
To have ambition and accomplish realistic goals gives a sense of accomplishment. A sense of pride and satisfaction. This is very important to have a positive self esteem. When we celebrate our accomplishments, we are creating a positive emotion, we are acknowledging our efforts and we are also adding to our well being.
Numerous studies have shown that those who have a purpose in life and seek fulfillment in work that uses their strengths, such individuals recover faster from negative events ( both physical and mental), they have a lesser risk of Alzheimer disease, age related dementia, cardiovascular events such as stroke and heart attacks. Such individuals have lesser inflammatory markers even if they may have some chronic health condition.
In short, those who have a positive mindset and those who have a purpose in life are much more healthier.
Social connectedness with like minded individuals also enhances good health. Social isolation is not good for one’s health and it lights up the same areas in the brain as physical pain ! this becomes very important for the elderly population, because we see maximum impact of isolation on health in this age group.
So to sum up
It is important to develop a positive mindset, to recognize positive emotions and do every task with dedication. To seek the pleasure of accomplishment and to contribute to society by being part of a like-minded group of individuals. To nurture our relationships and work on our strengths to achieve a thriving and flourishing good life.
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