Each of us may have a different definition
of happiness. Some derive it from success, some from family and some may derive
it from helping the poor or planting trees. This question has also been a
mystery in the scientific community, where psychologists have tried hard to
understand ‘what truly happiness is’ and given rise to many theories of
happiness.
One of the most popular theory to
understand happiness and well being is the PERMA model. PERMA is a new theory of
well-being that recently emerged from the field of positive psychology. This theory given by
Seligman (2011) helped gain a stronger empirical understanding of the elements
which are critical for our happiness and well-being. We all experience each of
these elements in some form or way, but research has shown that and
understanding, enhancement of these elements in our everyday life can
significantly improve our wellbeing, happiness and life satisfaction. The 5 are described below;
1.Positive Emotions
Positive emotions are typically associated with striving for the
maximization of pleasure (positive affect) and the minimization of pain
(negative affect). They are vital within the science of well-being as they (a) improve
our attention and thinking (b) reduce negative emotional arousal; (c) build
resilience (d) support significant personal resources (f) boost human
flourishing
Actionable advice- One should work toward
cultivating positive emotions not only in one’s own life but also in the lives
of others. Appreciating others is one of the simplest ways to cultivate
positive emotions within oneself as a giver and receiver of appreciation.
The O.C. Tanner Institute (2015) conducted a survey with 2,363
people from around the world and found that the more people felt appreciated at
work, the better they felt in their lives. More appreciation at work was
correlated with feeling less stressed, more in control, and more inspired to
pursue passions outside of work. When people feel appreciated, their
well-being, productivity, profitability, and purpose are also amplified.
Engagement
Engagement refers to
involvement in activities that draws and builds upon one’s interests.
Csikszentmihalyi (1990) explained true engagement as flow, a highly
focused mental state that leads to a sense of ecstasy and clarity. In short,
engagement involves passion for and concentration on a task and is assessed
subjectively as to whether the person was completely absorbed, losing
self-consciousness and awareness of surroundings (Seligman, 2011).
Actionable advice- Spend time in doing
activities that make you lose the sense of time, it could be painting, dancing,
singing, working on some mechanics of things. Be mindful to not confuse “flow”
with the experience you get while watching TV or playing video games.
Relationships
Whether work-related, familial, romantic, or friendly,
relationships are vital in powering positive emotions. Humans build, receive,
and share positivity through relationships, which is why they are crucial not
only in tough times but also in our good
times. Human relationships are strengthened by people’s positive reactions to
one another.
Actionable advice- Regularly say words of
appreciation to each other, spent quality time, do acts of service for each
other, buy tangible gifts and express appreciation through appropriate physical
touch like pat on the back or hugs. This has shown to help deal with
relationship conflicts more efficiently and aids in experiencing high levels of
respect for each other.
Meaning
Meaning is what we also
commonly understand as purpose; it is
important to understand questions like ‘why we work’, ‘what we decide to work
on’, ‘why we are into certain relationships’ and other questions about life.
Living a meaningful life instills the sense that there is a larger purpose to life
and being a part of it confers meaning (Seligman, 2011). Working with clear
meaning and purpose energizes people to continue striving for a desirable goal
despite challenges.
Actionable advice- Try to answer the WHY
when wondering about certain things matter to you, why you have a desire to do
something in a specific field
Accomplishment-
Accomplishments, here, refer to the
pursuit of success and mastery (Seligman,2011). Experiencing positive emotions
of pride, joy, ecstasy and so on are another critical element of our happiness. Seligman (2011)
suggested that to be happy, people need to be able to look back on their lives
with a sense of achievement and feel that they did it and did it well.
Actionable advice- It is the recognition
and appreciation we receive from others in the form of applause, praise,
awards, gifts etc. which helps us get a better understanding of how well we
really did. So, appreciate others and ever yourself, recognize your efforts and
feel proud of what you did whether or not it brings results.
The PERMA theory of well-being is a useful model to understand the
building blocks of our psychological well-being. Focusing the PERMA elements in
our lives and then working towards their enhancements is sure to improve our
happiness level.
No comments:
Post a Comment