Can we be happier?

martin seligman, an American psychologist known for his experiments on learned helplessness and depression, defined Positive Psychology as the scientific study of human strengths and virtues.

This psychological current is dedicated to the study of optimal behavior. He studies the elements that allow us to live a functional and optimal life, and does not study deficit functioning as Psychology has been doing up to now.

It focuses on the stable positive traits of the person, and does not analyze the pathological and harmful. It is the scientific study of the virtues, vital sense, resilience, and well-being, based on evidence, to improve the life of the individual and society. It proposes a change of focus: we not only need to reduce what causes discomfort, but also promote what generates well-being. We cannot live only in the absence of anguish, we also need to generate positive emotions.

We can ask these fundamental questions:

Can we be happier? If we can. In the analysis of the Sustainable Happiness Model, it is extracted that the genetic influence in being happier is 50%. The circumstances that occur in life would account for 10%, and the activities and attitudes (what we do) 40%.

Is it worth it to be happier? Happiness can and does correlate with many desirable outcomes in life. (achieve professional and personal goals, relationships, health…) The people who are happier are also:

• More productive and creative.
• They have more friends and social support.
• Better physical health and immune system.
• They earn more money, better positions.
• They have better management stress and the trauma.
• Healthier and longer lasting relationships.
• They help others more.
• Top leaders.

Interventions from Positive Psychology increase well-being and reduce depressive symptoms. They are more effective than traditional interventions.

What promotes Positive Psychology?

On an emotional level, pleasant activities are encouraged. And at the behavioral level, uses human strengths in new and different ways: courage, humanity, vital sense or transcendence, moderation, justice, and wisdom and knowledge. On the other hand, at a cognitive level, it encourages learning strategies to increase positive cognitions (optimism, generation of vital meaning...)

It can't always be used, but it does work when:

• The person is motivated and wants to improve.
• The exercises are adapted to this.
• There is a recurring effort and good involvement in therapy.
• Different dosed and adequate strategies are used.

What is psychological well-being?

On the one hand, we need to have more frequent positive affects. This is, personal relationships that bring happiness, calm and well-being (family, friends, partner, work or leisure colleagues...). On the other, having infrequent negative affects. That is, reduce contact with people with whom we do not feel comfortable or cannot be ourselves. And finally, it is important to observe the cognitive evaluation that we make of our life satisfaction. This is how we value our life in general.

There are five pillars of well-being that have proven to be particularly important for promoting well-being levels in a balanced and sustainable way:

• Propose achievement goals both personal and academic or professional. What activities, goals, and tasks give us a sense of accomplishment. Example: learn a language, be more organized, get promoted at work...
• Foster positive relationships: moments, experiences and people that we consider to be part of our well-being. Example: when we meet friends and share pleasant activities or with the family. Ask yourself: Who do you have a positive relationship with? How do you nurture and develop this relationship?
• Develop Flow tasks: tasks in which we lose track of space and time. Flow tasks help us distract ourselves and be able to focus on the present. So we don't over think. They are emotional self-regulation tasks. Example: creative tasks, cooking, playing an instrument, reading, ordering...
• Generate positive emotions: what moments, experiences and tasks make us feel positive emotions. Example: spending time with my children, my friends… going to painting classes, having breakfast….
• make sense: moments, activities and tasks that we value because they make sense to us. We need a why in life, not just go on living. It is the direction we must follow to live in balance. When we put meaning in what we do, we feel happier. Example: volunteering, innovating, being original, helping...

Let's ask ourselves, do we dedicate time to our well-being? Or are we just trying to reduce uncertainty and discomfort in our lives?