By Liz Pollack, MS, ACPEC
Positive emotions have been linked with better health, longer life, and greater well-being. In fact, in the late 1990s, the world of psychology conducted research and discovered a new way to approach the pursuit of well-being and increasing happiness. They identified two ways to improve our happiness. One is to rid ourselves of the negative things in our lives and the second is to strengthen those things that are positive. What is now called “Positive Psychology” emphasizes the second.
Some of the major findings of Positive Psychology research include:
- Money doesn’t necessarily buy well-being; but spending money on other people can make individuals happier.
- Some of the best ways to combat disappointments and setbacks are developing strong social relationships and character strengths.
- Work can be important to well-being, especially when people are able to engage in work that is purposeful and meaningful.
- While happiness is influenced by genetics, people can learn to be happier by developing optimism, gratitude, and altruism.
So, ask yourself these questions:
- How happy am I?
- Am I getting the results I want in life?
- Is my life turning out like I imagined?
- Do I feel good about myself?
- Do I look forward to life?
- Am I passionate about life or just going through the motions?
If you answered negatively to more than one or two of these, then it is probably time to make some positive choices for yourself! You need to embrace some new habits, perhaps through the help of a positive psychology coach. This type of coaching incorporates the concept that happy people tend to be optimistic and have nurturing relationships with the idea of enjoying and savoring the positive experiences in life and committing to meaningful goals.
In today’s article and over the next six months, I will be discussing practices you can apply in your own life. They include increasing your well-being and authentic happiness, savoring, forgiving, getting to know your strengths and virtues, being grateful, and creating a vision and purpose.
Increasing your well-being and authentic happiness doesn’t come by mindlessly ignoring the negative of life. It comes by consciously developing habits that refocus attention and energy on the positive:
- Accept your emotions rather than avoiding or denying them
- Take daily risks to avoid getting stuck in a rut
- Live in the present — don’t relive the past or worry about the future
- Step back and consider what’s triggering your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
- Laugh — kids laugh an average of 200 times per day, adults 15 times a day. Quit taking life so seriously.
- Discover or rediscover a passion
- Do what makes you happy to start your day on a positive note
- Surround yourself with positive people
- Read inspirational stories or quotes
- Meditate — take time to relax and breathe
Stay tuned over the next months for many other tools and practical suggestions which you can apply in your own life today and tomorrow. Struggling with change? Need some assistance — everyone does! Contact Liz Pollack, MS, ACPEC, a Certified Life Coach and owner of Leg Up Services. For more information, call 309-370–4492 or visit www.legupservices.com.
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