Ways to Thrive
Posted on January 25th, 2018
Ways to Thrive
We want to live happy, fulfilling lives but how can we thrive despite the daily challenges of life?
There are many ways of thinking about wellbeing and happiness. One of the co-founders of the discipline of positive psychology, Professor Martin Seligman, suggests that there are five pillars that underpin flourishing – Positive emotion, Engagement, positive Relationships, having a sense of Meaning, and Accomplishment. (PERMA).
Positive Emotions
Experiencing positive feelings such as joy, calmness, and satisfaction.
Engagement
Being interested and involved in life.
Relationships
Feeling loved, valued, and connected with others.
Meaning
Having a sense of direction, feeling that our lives are valuable and worthwhile, and connecting to something bigger and better than ourselves.
Accomplishment
The belief and ability to do things that matter most to us, achieving goals, and having a sense of mastery.
PERMA provides a way to think about how you’re going in life. Do you generally have more positive or negative emotions? Are you engaged and interested in life, or bored and detached? Do you have a sense of meaning and purpose, or does life seem rather meaningless? Do you feel competent and able to accomplish what you’d life? By taking small steps each day, you can improve your wellbeing, in these five areas and beyond.
Here are a few tips to get you started:
Nurture Positive Emotions
Create more moments of heartfelt positivity in your day – spend time in nature, find a reason to laugh, go for a walk, share time with a friend, or do other simple things that you enjoy
Build Engagement
Use your strengths – things that you are good at and enjoy doing – to help you feel more confident, energised and engaged.
Invest in Relationships
Make the time to genuinely connect with other people – express gratitude, show kindness, actively listen, and show genuine interest in their life. Disconnect from technology and connect in person.
Cultivate Meaning
Understand that what you do each day can have a positive impact on others. Connect with your values, and let them be your guiding compass.
Grow Accomplishments
Embrace a learning mindset. Set specific achievable goals, track your progress, and celebrate successes.
When to Seek Professional Help:
There are many ways you can improve your wellbeing and increase your satisfaction with life.
However, there may be a time when professional help from a psychologist is required. A psychologist can you identify behaviours or thought-patterns that are impacting your wellbeing and help you make changes that will help you to thrive.
This article was provided by the Australian Psychological Society on behalf of Michelle McQuaid www.permanhsurvey.com.
Other stories
« Previous Story - Thriving in the Digital Age: 10 Tips for Teens
Posted on January 4th, 2018
Thriving in the Digital Age: 10 Tips for Teens Technology is positive for many people, but can be bad […]
Fun Challenge to help CQ Families reach health goals - Next Story »
Posted on February 21st, 2018
Step it Up Family Program Would you like to participate in a fun challenge with your kids and reach health […]