2. Beyond Happiness: Positive Affectivity and Sustainable Wellbeing. : stressLess-life

Beyond Happiness: Positive Affectivity and Sustainable Wellbeing.

https://ift.tt/53URGXu

Sustaining our well-being is an on-going issue. And there is a wealth of evidence-based insight to support us. This article considers positive affectivity. For practical purposes, positive affectivity can be thought of as the positive emotions pillar of the over-arching PERMA model. The model encapsulates five essential elements of well-being: Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment. And, of course, we need a positive approach to our physical health which I have written about elsewhere. Let's look at positive affectivity within the context of the PERMA model.

Understanding positive affectivity involves understanding the interplay of genetic factors, environmental circumstances, and intentional activities. Research led by Sonya Lyubomirsky has identified that the relative influence each of the factors has in our overall positive affectivity: valuable insight in sustaining our own wellbeing.

Genetic factors are responsible for 30-40% of our overall positive affectivity. This also shapes our personality traits, notably the ‘Big Five Personality Traits’: extraversion, neuroticism, conscientiousness, agreeableness, and openness. Each of the ‘Big Five Personality Traits’ is its own spectrum and we all have our own preferred spot on each. Extraversion is a key player, impacting happiness levels, while the other traits contribute to satisfaction in relationships, work, and coping with stress. This doesn’t mean, however that only extraverts can be happy. Other articles exploring the hedonistic and eudemonic traditions of happiness delve in to the detail of this concept.

Environmental circumstances, a critical influence, encompass factors like supportive relationships, financial stability, education, employment, religious engagement, leisure activities, health, freedom, and a pleasant living environment. For those making their way in the world, balancing financial security with meaningful leisure activities becomes crucial, as the Easterlin Paradox suggests that increased wealth – beyond the quality of life we see as normal - doesn't always translate to increased happiness.

Religious practice, often overlooked, offers a structured belief system, social support, healthier lifestyles, and positive emotions through practices like prayer and meditation. This can be particularly relevant for individuals seeking a sense of purpose and community. For us agnostics, we can easily translate this in to developing our own spirituality without alignment to any organised belief system.

Leisure activities, including sports, arts, and volunteering, play a vital role in fulfilling needs for autonomy, mastery, meaning, affiliation, and detachment. For those navigating demanding careers, finding joy in leisure can act as a valuable counterbalance to work pressures. This takes on an new dimension when we consider applying our signature strengths to our every-day lives.

Adaptability and happiness become essential, particularly for individuals managing the demands of work and family life. Freedom and a pleasant living environment contribute significantly to subjective well-being. Societies supporting economic, political, and personal freedom, along with access to green spaces and panoramic views, tend to foster more cohesive societies: within which, individuals have better chances of flourishing.

Gender and age nuances show a U-shaped trajectory of well-being across the life cycle. Understanding these trends can help individuals in their 30s and 40s to navigate the challenges of middle age. This influence is at its most negative through our 30’s and then turns increasingly positive from our 40’s onwards. NB this elements’ influence is low, and there are so many other factors that can counterbalance any negative influences from this one.

Our circumstantial factors – combined – contribute to only around 10% to our long-lasting happiness. We can’t do anything about our genetic legacy: accounting for 40-50% of our positive affectivity. We can influence the circumstances of our life which account for a further approximately 10%. This brings us to the key take-away from this article.

Our intentional activities – which we can control (or, at the very least, we have a degree of influence over) account for 40-50 % of positive affectivity. Pause for a moment. Reflect on this conclusion. Notice your reactions.

This leads us naturally to ask – so how can I use this insight to help develop and sustain my wellbeing?

The answers will vary between us – we’re all walking our own paths. We can find them by systematically working our way through the PERMA model and the wealth of insight Wellbeing Psychology has to offer. Common themes include: embrace mindfulness practices: allocate time for meaningful connections with loved ones: consciously engage in activities that align with your personal values: create a well-defined balance between work and leisure: foster intentional moments of deep relaxation: periodically reassess and adapt your goals: acknowledge your accomplishments.

By weaving intentional activities into our everyday routines, we can intrinsically strengthen our wellbeing while juggling life’s on-going demands.

So now, equipped with this insight, ask yourself: what will I do, today, to apply this insight to develop and sustain my wellbeing?

submitted by /u/EERMA
[link] [comments]








Related links


I want to know the mind and emotions of a man towa. I want to understand what he is thinking and feeling at any given time. I want to know what makes him happy and what makes him sad. I want to know what he fears and what motivates him. I want to know his hopes and dreams. I want to know everything about him.


Addiction Is Messy, But These Things Help Me Stay Clean


5 Ways to Use Movement (Not Exercise) to Support Your Mental Health


My Second Mother: When Someone Steps Up Like Family Never Did


just sitting silently


How to Release the Fear That Holds You Back and Keeps You Small


What Happiness Means and How I’m Boosting My Day-to-Day Joy


why am i always in one-sided relationships


Psychological behaviour of husband with his wife who failed in love before marriage


What makes you dislike yourself?


When You’re Ready for Change: You Need to Believe in Your Future Self


4 Anxiety-Calming Techniques I Wish I Used When I Freaked Out on a Plane


What type of doctors experience the most stress?


Why is it significant to overcome stress?


How I Stopped Chasing Men Who Hurt Me and Found Healthy Love : #stressless


Stay Comfortable


I have irrational thoughts that she’s better than me


Skills That You Can Learn From (A2) Trying Harder Isn\\\'t Always The Answer:stressLess-life.


How do we know what we want in our lives?


5 Simple Yet Essential Self Care Tips That Can Change Your Life


#2 . How do I stop putting my worth based on how men see me? : stressLess-life


Self love challenge - looking for a group to join!


People-Pleasers Are Liars: 3 Things We Gain When We’re Honest Instead


How to Deal With Low Moods: A 4-Step Plan to Help You Feel Better


One words to define love story Hater





does depression affect sperm quality


What is the difference between stress and emotions? The WHO has defined them as two different life skills and I am not able to make a difference.


What are some signs that show a lack of confidence in a person's speech or behavior?


Is it good to live hubby without love or marry to BF?


growing up as the only black member of a white family movie


separation anxiety mother symptoms


why self-love and self-care is important


I am very sad every day. I have decided not to live. What should I do?


why am i losing interest in things i used to love


never waste your feelings on someone who doesn't value your emotions meaning in hindi


I am very sad every day. I have decided not to live. What should I do?


Why is it significant to overcome stress?

Can-I-reduce-my-stress?

https://stressless-2021.blogspot.com/2022/06/reduce-my-stress.html

Getting Out Of A Slump

Me Exercising/dancing to Unbelievable by EMF. Not too great, but started doing this at 57 yrs......truly my inner child is coming out to play!:stressLess-life

Abandonment Issues



Increasing and practicing self worth and self love:stressLess-life

(A2) LIFE AND LOVE???:stressLess-life

Neon Genesis Evangelion and validating ones own existence:stressLess-life

Calmed myself down with loving energy.:stressLess-life

"Why do you forgive everyone but yourself?”:stressLess-life

How to accept belly fat?:stressLess-life



admiring myself all 2022 ??:stressLess-life



Self love feels so lonely:stressLess-life



Increasing and practicing self worth and self love:stressLess-life

(A2) LIFE AND LOVE???:stressLess-life

Neon Genesis Evangelion and validating ones own existence:stressLess-life

Calmed myself down with loving energy.:stressLess-life

"Why do you forgive everyone but yourself?”:stressLess-life

How to accept belly fat?:stressLess-life



admiring myself all 2022 ??:stressLess-life



Self love feels so lonely:stressLess-life









😄 " Forget the past; look forward to the future, for the best things are yet to come. ..... "