Positive Psychology
Traditionally, psychology has focused on people’s problems and how to solve them. Positive psychology is one of the latest movements within psychology and instead it studies happiness and offers proactive steps to increase happiness levels. Being positive is NOT the same as positive thinking where you may not quite believe these forced positive thoughts. Within Positive Psychology being positive is HEARTFELT and genuine because you do it by increasing the quantity and intensity of your actual positive experiences. Normally our positive experiences slip under our radar when reflecting on our day, week, year or indeed life.
The term “flourishing” is used within Positive Psychology to describe someone who is not just getting by, but who is doing very well. People who have positive emotions in a ratio of 3:1 in relation to negative emotions are more likely to flourish. When people achieve the 3:1 positivity ratio, they tend to become more generous, caring and dedicated in their actions and their thoughts become more creative, insightful, expansive and clearer. This in turn causes people to achieve greater success in their work and personal lives, and the upward spiral of feeling good, and thinking and acting constructively continues. People with a 1:1 ratio tend to be more depressed and lacking vitality. This ratio applies to individuals, couples, organisations and communities.