Positive Psychology

Optimism

This picture is often used to start a discussion. Is the glass half empty or half full? Is it both? What’s your gut tell you and does this really reveal anything about your personality? Optimism You might know someone (or be someone) who people often notice for their positive take on situations. When something goesContinue reading “Optimism”

Meaning and Purpose

Eudaimonic Well-Being Last time we explored hedonia – one of the pathways to happiness/well-being. Now to look at the second pathway, eudaimonia, in more detail. Eudaimonia: has roots in the Ancient Greek words ‘eu’ meaning good and ‘daimon’ meaning power, fate, lesser deity or guiding spirit. A brief review; eudaimonic well-being comes from actions whichContinue reading “Meaning and Purpose”

Pleasure

HAPPINESS Happiness is often thought of and talked about as if it’s an end goal, something that we’re pursuing and hoping to find or eventually achieve. Once we have it, the hope is it’ll remain for good. Of course, life experience tells us otherwise. Happiness comes and goes and the things that create it atContinue reading “Pleasure”

Pathways to Well-being

Subjective Well-Being (SWB) In the last post about well-being, we saw that the terms ‘happiness’ and ‘well-being’ are often used interchangeably to describe feelings such as joy, contentment and a sense that life is meaningful within positive psychology. What generates these feelings in our lives is unique to us. SWB = satisfaction with life +Continue reading “Pathways to Well-being”

Well-Being

Well-being is a buzz word these days. Everyone wants a piece of it and there are endless suggestions on how to get it. How many people do you know that are dabbling in mindfulness and meditation? Earnestly colouring in mandala patterns or partaking in a body scan and breathing exercise after completing their sun salutations?Continue reading “Well-Being”

A little background… Positive psychology was brought to the forefront when Martin Seligman used the term ‘positive psychology’ in his inaugural speech as President of the American Psychological Association in 1999. This set out the perceived need for a change of focus due to the belief that psychology was over-focused on healing mental illness andContinue reading “Positive Psychology”