There are many people who may have heard the term positive psychology through life coaches and psychologists but are not sure what it means.
It's easy to assume that positive psychology focuses solely on happiness, the benefits of being more optimistic, and how to apply different methods of positive thinking in your daily life. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg. In fact, there is much more beneath the surface. Below we discuss 9 research-backed benefits of positive psychology.
Understanding positive psychology
Before discussing the benefits of positive psychology, it's important to understand the definition:
"Positive psychology is the scientific study of what makes life most rewarding."
The founder of positive psychology
Positive Psychology was founded by Martin Seligman, a renowned researcher and psychologist who was elected president of the organization in 1998 American Psychological Association.
Seligman had earned his fame for his theory of "learned helplessness". This theory explains that people have the ability to learn how to become helpless and feel like they have lost control of what happens to them. Seligman linked this phenomenon to depression and provided inspiration for the treatment of symptoms of depression and methods of coping depression to prevent.
Seligman then turns his attention to learned optimism and resilience
He had become frustrated that the main focus of psychology was on the negative aspect of the human experience, such as trauma, mental illness, suffering, and pain, with so little regard for the positive aspects, such as happiness, well-being, strengths, and prosperity.
As president of the APA organization, he proposed a new field of psychology that focuses on "what gives life instead of what exhausts life." In 2000 he published together with Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi the basic article on positive psychology.
Since then, thousands and thousands of studies have been conducted in this field that have laid a foundation for the application of positive psychology in coaching, therapy, business, family, relationships, and in every other area of life.
The focus of positive psychology
Positive psychology is a scientific approach that focuses on the human strength and what a good life means.
It asks the question "What's good with people?" instead of "What's wrong with people?"
Experts in positive psychology spend their time thinking about topics such as optimism, character strengths, happiness, well-being, life satisfaction, gratitude, compassion, self-esteem, and confidence.
Positive psychology and life coaching
In 2007 Martin Seligman published a document for the Australian Psychological Society in which he stated that positive psychology can provide a 'backbone' for the unregulated life coaching industry.
"Positive psychology can provide coaching with a clear work area, with interventions and measurements that work, and with a view to sufficient qualifications to be a coach." - Martin Seligman, 2007
Both positive psychology and life coaching have one main goal in common: to have a positive impact on the life of the client. Any other goals that follow will go straight to the main goal.
Many believe that the life coaching industry is quite saturated, but what they are actually seeing is a steady growth of the industry that comes from the fact that it simply works for millions of people.
Positive psychology is also gaining in popularity for the same reason.
9 Research-Backed Benefits of Positive Psychology
Happiness is contagious
Research has shown that those surrounded by happy friends and family will find greater happiness in the future. If you are happy, the people around you may also benefit (Fowler & Christakis, 2008).
Positivity comes from within
In other words, simply “putting on a smile” in difficult times will not cultivate inner happiness. Making an effort to feel positivity within will lead to outward manifestations of happiness (Scott & Barnes, 2011).
Wealth is not a measure of happiness
Too many people believe that finding wealth will lead to happiness, but studies have shown that this is not the case. Focusing less on gaining wealth is more likely to lead to more happiness (Aknin, Norton & Dunn, 2009).
Do good deeds
Those who do acts of kindness not only feel a greater sense of well-being in themselves, but they are also more likely to be accepted by their peers (Layous, Nelson, Oberle, Schonert-Reichl, & Lyubomirsky, 2012).
Generosity is key
Those who show generosity by spending money on others are arguably happier with themselves (Dunn, Aknin, & Norton, 2008).
Volunteering is rewarding
When you volunteer to work for a cause you believe in, you will feel happier and more fulfilled in life. Studies have also shown that it reduces symptoms of depression (Jenkinson et al., 2013).
Material possessions do not make you happy
Research has shown that those who prefer to spend their money on experiences rather than material possessions are much happier in life (Howell & Hill, 2009).
Hugs have a healing effect
Hugging promotes the brain's production of oxytocin, which leads to feelings of trust, empathy, and morality. Hugging and showing physical affection to the people you care about in your life will increase the well-being of yourself and those around you (Barraza & Zak, 2009).
Gratitude will change your life
Last, but certainly not least, is gratitude. Research has shown that when we cultivate feelings of gratitude, we become much happier and more satisfied with our lives (Seligman, Steen, Park & Peterson, 2005).
Sources ao Lifecoaching (link), PositivePsychology (link), Talkspace (link)
