Researchers in the new field of Positive Psychology are publishing hundreds, if not thousands, of scientific article_temps each year in an effort to help us find our way to a healthier, happier, more enriching and fulfilling life. Their research findings have been the subject matter of major article_temps in "The Wall Street Journal," "Time," "Scientific American," "Psychology Today" and other major publications. Many popular books have also hit the shelves in recent years including the following "must reads" for anyone interested in Positive Psychology: "Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment" and "Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life" by Dr. Martin Seligman, founder of Positive Psychology.
Recently, several studies published in the field have reported that people who experience high levels of overall well-being (e.g. frequent positive E-motions, regular experiences of engagement or a satisfying sense of meaning) are more successful across a wide range of domains (work, love, health) In one meta-analytic study, when compared to their less happy counterparts, people who reported high levels of overall well-being were:
• More socially active and likable
• More likely to be married, and to have successful marriages
• More altruistic, exhibiting more pro-social behavior
• In possession of higher self-esteem
• Living longer, having better physical health and stronger immune systems, and coping better when they do get sick
• In possession of better conflict resolution skills
• Earning more money and performing better at their jobs
• Less susceptible to negative influences from advertising
• More resilient and better able to find positive meaning in adversity
Furthermore, these results indicate that although there is a bi-directional relationship between well-being and success wherein each builds upon the other, it is more often the case that well-being comes BEFORE success! This also appears to be the case between the frequent expression of positive E-motions and resilience. This effect was dependent on the continued expression of positive E-motions. In other words, resiliency only increased if people continually expressed positive E-motions.
Unfortunately, and despite the mounting scientific evidence which clearly indicates it pays to be happy, "happiness" and the pursuit thereof still tends to be viewed by many as rather whimsical or "airy-fairy, frivolous fluff." Indeed, "happy people," who may be working very hard at learning about, practicing and implementing the principals of Positive Psychology in their lives in order to reap the benefits, are often labeled as intellectual lightweights, clearly a little "whacko" and inferior to the rest of the civilized world, or better yet, some sort of farcical Pollyannas who are clearly "out of touch" with reality and as such, have no clue about the "real world."
I don't know about you, but I find it absolutely mind-boggling that people would rather lament on "what's wrong" with the world, and all its people, rather than celebrate what's right. Indeed, I often wonder what if, when truth be told, the only thing that's actually "wrong with us" is our constant focus on or belief in "the facts" that indicate there is?
What you focus on is what you get, right?
Well then, why not choose to focus on this: "It pays to be happy, it pays to be happy, it pays to be happy"... BE HAPPY! LIVE STRONG!
LIVESTRONG.COM is designed to inspire people to change their lives, help themselves and help others. For more on this topic, visit http://www.LIVESTRONG.com.
About this Author
Dr. Cindy, behavioral health & addictions expert, is a health psychologist from America's heartland where she practices her own unique brand of E-motional medicine. Highly regarded as a vibrant motivational speaker and compassionate counselor who comes from the heart, she is regularly featured as a health and wellness expert in print and on television. She is perhaps best known for her ability to keep it real with her down-to-earth, authentic style.
