Today we’re also covering Flourishing, a benefit of Positive Psychology, the topic of the month.
So I’d like to usher in some positivity for us by bringing our attention and arriving at flourishing. While flourishing encapsulates and incorporates various positive psychology concepts, it particularly highlights the transformative potential of adversity.
As described in the article, Flourishing means that we can connect to a sense of meaning in our lives, experience positive emotions, build relationships with people and communities that matter to us, and recognize and appreciate our accomplishments even in challenging moments.
But, how do we cultivate Flourishing? The PERMA model developed by Seligman (2011) explains what contributes to a sense of flourishing. The five factors in this model are:
- Positive emotions
- Engagement
- Relationships
- Meaning
- Accomplishments
Some examples of ways to cultivate Flourishing based on the PERMA model could be:
1. Establish a Gratitude Practice
Research shows that regularly practicing gratitude has the greatest impact. A simple gratitude exercise each day of less than five minutes could have great benefits in building positive emotions. For example, as you’re brushing your teeth in the morning and in the evening, use that time to reflect on what you’re grateful for in your life. Gratitude can be for something as big as your health or as small as a great cup of coffee.
2. Prioritize Acts of Kindness
Acts of kindness enhance well-being and connections with others in the community which builds healthy engagement. Doing multiple acts of kindness in a single day has a greater impact on your level of flourishing than spreading them throughout the week. So, if you’re experimenting with this practice, choose a specific day each week and vary your acts of kindness rather than doing the same act of kindness, to have a major effect.
3. Leverage your Signature Strengths
Using signature strengths help deepen our relationships with Self and engagement with others in our social circles. These are the strengths that feel most authentic to us, that we’re most excited to use, that energize rather than drain us, and that give us a sense of joy while we’re using them. The VIA Character Strengths assessment can help you identify your own.
4. Celebrate your Accomplishments
Celebrating accomplishments boosts our positive self-regard and emotions. When we pause to celebrate our accomplishments, it helps us actually feel them — what psychologists sometimes refer to as “savoring” — rather than simply checking them off a list of goals and moving forward.
Positive emotions, accomplishments, engagement, finding meaning, and a sense of belonging within one’s community and relationships emerge as key components of flourishing.
By navigating through challenging life moments and leveraging the lessons learned, individuals can cultivate resilience, grit, deepen their relationships, and find renewed purpose. This month, I encourage us to explore the pathways to flourishing, reflecting on our experiences and identifying opportunities for growth and improvement.
Follow us for more wellness content!
More Blog Posts
Self-Agency
So, what exactly is self-agency? It’s the inner strength to pursue our self-defined goals despite daunting challenges and struggle. It’s about overcoming obstacles that seem insurmountable and leveraging neuroscience insights that reveal our brain’s ability to predict actions before they happen.
Self-Transcendence
Building the skillset to self-transcend doesn’t require grand gestures; it starts with small steps, like facing a minor anxiety or taking ownership of a small mistake.
Pack Your Strategies for Campus Life
Transition to college life can be an anxiety-filled period of time. Many of your concerns can be better navigated if you feel emotionally grounded. Here are a few strategies to pack for your campus stay.
In crisis or need immediate help?
Call 988 or go to your nearest ER.
Services
Adolescent Psychotherapy
Adult Psychotherapy
Assessments & Evaluation
Child Psychotherapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Couples Therapy
Family Therapy & Parent Coaching
Genetic Testing
Group Therapy
Medication Management
Play Therapy
Single-Session Therapy
Teletherapy
Accepted Insurance*
Aetna
Carefirst / Blue Cross Blue Shield
Cigna
Humana / Tricare
Johns Hopkins Health Plans
Medicaid
Medicare
Optum / UnitedHealthcare
*Varies by service
Partner Resources
Orchard Mental Health Group
Contact Us
M-F, 9am-5pm Eastern Time
Phone: 240- 750-6467
Fax: 240-912-7835
contact@orchardmentalhealth.com
9707 Key West Avenue, Suite #100 Rockville, MD 20850