Considering that World War II, psychologists have focused on fixing what is broken -repairing psychosis, and neurosis. Research has piled up steadily in terms of looking at patients who are neurotic or dysfunctional, even though the happy or joyful people amongst us have received little scientific scrutiny.
If you want to be pleased, forget about winning the lottery, obtaining a nose job, or securing a raise.
In his new book, Authentic Happiness, psychologist Martin Seligman argues that overall lifetime happiness isn't the result of excellent genes, revenue, or even luck. Instead, he says we can boost our own happiness by capitalizing on the strengths and traits that we already have, such as kindness, originality, humor, optimism, and generosity. He has christened the discipline "Positive Psychology," arguing that we could be far better off constructing on our own strengths instead of bemoaning, and, hence, attempting to repair, our weaknesses.
By regularly calling upon their strengths, folks can create up natural buffers against misfortune and negative emotions, he said.
"We employed to feel that a pleased individual was just someone who giggled a great deal," Seligman said. "But when you define it solely by just how much you laugh, you confine yourself to 1 category."
The Great Life: Some happy individuals are low on pleasure, but high on "absorption and immersion," meaning they take fantastic pleasure inside the points that they do. "Think of these folks as hobbyists who turn out to be so immersed in their work that time ceases to exist," Seligman stated. "A individual who enjoys gardening discovers that the day has gone by without having notice, as an example."
The Pleasant Life: This is someone who laughs a great deal, and thrives on pleasures, for instance consuming very good food. These are people who appear surrounded with contentment, pleasure and hope.
The Meaningful Life: Those who apply their highest strengths and virtues for the greater great, as by means of charities and volunteer work, religion or politics.
To cultivate happiness, you need to very first identify which of the aforementioned happiness categories you fall into, then ascertain your individual strengths and virtues. Next, apply the qualities in such a way as to enhance your happiness-generating category.
If you want to be pleased, forget about winning the lottery, obtaining a nose job, or securing a raise.
In his new book, Authentic Happiness, psychologist Martin Seligman argues that overall lifetime happiness isn't the result of excellent genes, revenue, or even luck. Instead, he says we can boost our own happiness by capitalizing on the strengths and traits that we already have, such as kindness, originality, humor, optimism, and generosity. He has christened the discipline "Positive Psychology," arguing that we could be far better off constructing on our own strengths instead of bemoaning, and, hence, attempting to repair, our weaknesses.
By regularly calling upon their strengths, folks can create up natural buffers against misfortune and negative emotions, he said.
"We employed to feel that a pleased individual was just someone who giggled a great deal," Seligman said. "But when you define it solely by just how much you laugh, you confine yourself to 1 category."
The Great Life: Some happy individuals are low on pleasure, but high on "absorption and immersion," meaning they take fantastic pleasure inside the points that they do. "Think of these folks as hobbyists who turn out to be so immersed in their work that time ceases to exist," Seligman stated. "A individual who enjoys gardening discovers that the day has gone by without having notice, as an example."
The Pleasant Life: This is someone who laughs a great deal, and thrives on pleasures, for instance consuming very good food. These are people who appear surrounded with contentment, pleasure and hope.
The Meaningful Life: Those who apply their highest strengths and virtues for the greater great, as by means of charities and volunteer work, religion or politics.
To cultivate happiness, you need to very first identify which of the aforementioned happiness categories you fall into, then ascertain your individual strengths and virtues. Next, apply the qualities in such a way as to enhance your happiness-generating category.
