CROSSVILLE —
Most study of human behavior has focused on abnormal behavior and mental illness. While it is essential to study and contain such pathologies, it is equally important to understand those aspects of human experience that make life worth living. Positive psychology aims to discover and promote the factors that allow individuals and communities to thrive.
Components of well-being that positive psychology studies include:
• Positive emotions — a joy in living.
• Meaning — a sense that our lives have a purpose and meaning.
• Engagement — the experiences of being totally engaged in what we’re doing, also called ‘flow,’
• Relationships — supportive social relationships.
• Accomplishment — a sense of efficacy and accomplishment.
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While we must all work to end our own and others' suffering, we also need to learn how to support and increase the well-being of individuals and community. Research has shown that one way to help suffering people is to focus on the building their strengths. Prevention researchers have discovered that there are strengths that act as buffers against mental illness: courage, future mindedness, optimism, faith, work ethic, honesty, perseverance and the capacity for flow and insight, to name several. Further, people care about more than just the relief of their suffering. We also care about living a fulfilling and meaningful life.
Some of the findings of positive psychology seem like common sense. Does this add anything to what we already know about the good life? It is the job of science to empirically prove or disprove what we consider as the common wisdom. Sometimes this common “wisdom” is true, sometimes it is not. Positive psychology research is discovering some things that might not be considered wisdom to all.
To name just a few:
• Activities that make people happy in small doses — such as shopping, good food and making money — do not lead to fulfillment in the long term, indicating that these have quickly diminishing returns.
• People who express gratitude on a regular basis have better physical health, optimism, progress toward goals, well-being and help others more.
• Trying to maximize happiness can lead to unhappiness.
• People who witness others perform good deeds experience an emotion called "elevation" and this motivates them to perform their own good deeds.
• People who are optimistic or happy have better performance in work, school and sports, are less depressed, have fewer physical health problems, and have better relationships with other people. Further, optimism can be measured and it can be learned.
• People who report more positive emotions in young adulthood live longer and healthier lives.
• Healthy human development can take place under conditions of even great adversity due to a process of resilience that is common and completely ordinary.
There are now about 12 to 18 exercises in the positive psychology literature that are documented to increase one’s sense of well-being. To benefit from these exercises, they have to be practiced. Some of the exercises are cognitive, like thinking about three things that went well today. My 2013 resolution is to share with you recent research findings about the psychological good life and how to practice them. May you find what I report interesting, and I invite you to email me your reactions (lgorenflo@gmail.com).
Lifestyles
THE GOOD LIFE: My New Year’s resolution
- Lifestyles
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Pleasant Hill Ramblings: Pleasant Hill Elementary honors volunteers
Mary Ann Kotus-Huff, principal of Pleasant Hill Elementary School (PHS), recently welcomed volunteers to the annual Volunteer Tea. It was held in the gaily decorated new all-purpose room of the new annex. Volunteers were treated to sandwiches, fruit, cheese and crackers and cupcakes.
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Plateau Gardening: Transplanting tips
My landscape is perennial–based. There are vines, trees, shrubs as well as herbaceous (soft-stemmed) vegetation in assorted categories-ornamentals, herbs and food crops like rhubarb. Annuals in containers are used to add splashes of color. At this time of year, I usually have a few recently purchased plants waiting to be transplanted (see the accompanying photo).
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Fair Park offering help for senior dog owners
A dog is a senior's best friend. Family and friends are not around much, and everyone is so busy. After retirement the free time seems to be longer. Many seniors would be very lonely if it was not for their four-legged friends. Dogs are a big part of the family, so they need to learn to be obedient to make it easier on the relationship.
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The beginnings of Cumberland County Discovery Gardens
It was a great day in 2004 when Walt Hitch looked out his window and studied the three unused acres that accompanied his hundreds of acres of AgResearch lands.
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CCHS Class of 1963 congratulates Class of 2013
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Putt for the Cure miniature golf tournament a success
Kids of all ages enjoyed a fun outing of miniature golf Saturday at the first Putt for the Cure event, presented by Dr. Calley Jo Elsea of Cloudland Dental, to benefit the Upper Cumberland affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Players teams up with sponsors and host Pirates Plateau Golf Adventure to raise funds to help area women get needed screening exams, support patients and survivors, educate the public and support national research initiatives.
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Around the Town: Attendance is the Key to success in Cumberland County!
High school attendance is up and 10 cars have been given away. This is all thanks to some forward thinking educators along with Dave and Connie Kirk and the staff at Dave Kirk Automotive. This year marks the 10th anniversary, or a decade, of what the high school students call "Dave Kirk Drawing Day." Or, in layman's terms, some junior or senior from Cumberland County High School, Stone Memorial High School or Phoenix School wins a brand spanking new vehicle.
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End of another great year for Neighbors and Newcomers
Referred to as the "best little club on the mountain," Neighbors and Newcomers will be holding its last meeting of the year May 23. After a fun-filled, interesting and exciting year, the group will enjoy this end-of-the-year lunch at the Cumberland County Fairgrounds.
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Seniors to visit Sutton General Store May 18
On May 10, the members of the 127 Senior Center had a good time socializing, playing bingo, dominos and billiards. Numbers were called by Arlene Simmons, with the prizes furnished by Bob Folger, with State Farm Insurance.
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Marriage licenses
Published May 15, 2013.
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