All articles tagged with #positive psychology
Research shows that positive psychology experts often rely on a flexible, wellbeing-oriented mindset rather than strict activity routines, emphasizing acceptance of life's difficulties and integrating meaningful activities into daily life, which may be more effective for sustaining wellbeing than traditional programs focused on constant happiness pursuit.
A week-long program of simple, five to ten-minute activities like gratitude lists and nature videos can significantly improve emotional well-being, sleep, and reduce stress, especially benefiting those facing financial or social challenges, with benefits increasing through consistent participation.
A 16-year study of over 10,000 people aged 50+ found that higher wellbeing predicts better memory performance as we age, emphasizing the importance of positive emotions and practices like gratitude, kindness, and mindfulness for cognitive health. While causality isn't confirmed, investing in wellbeing may benefit long-term mental health.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have identified eight "happiness hacks" backed by science, including acts of kindness, social connections, savoring experiences, expressing gratitude, sufficient sleep, physical activity, mindfulness, and meditation. Students who participated in a 10-week "Science of Happiness" course reported improved mental wellbeing, but sustained benefits were seen only in those who continued practicing the hacks. The study emphasizes the importance of ongoing effort in maintaining mental health, highlighting the positive impact of diverting attention away from oneself through activities like helping others, gratitude, and socializing.
A study from the University of Bristol's 'Science of Happiness' course reveals that while learning evidence-informed habits for well-being can initially boost happiness, sustained effort and continued practice of these habits, such as gratitude and meditation, are necessary for long-term benefits. The study emphasizes the importance of ongoing mental health practices and challenges the prevailing 'self-care' narrative by emphasizing outward-focused activities. The course, launched in 2018, has shown a 10 to 15% improvement in well-being for students, but only those who continued implementing the course learnings maintained that improved well-being when surveyed again two years later.