Improving Your Well-Being: Positive Psychology and The PERMA Model
Positive psychology, despite what many think, is not about trying to rid your life of stressors. Positive psychology acknowledges that life can be stressful at times but seeks to improve well-being and build resilience to better manage the stressors of life. Simply put, positive psychology is the study of what makes a life worth living! Positive psychology focuses in on your strengths, instead of weaknesses, as well as building a good life and moving people from merely surviving, to thriving.
So, what is this PERMA model, and what does it have to do with well-being?
The PERMA model includes elements that promote and foster happiness and well-being. Bringing the PERMA model into your daily life will alleviate human suffering by helping to improve happiness and create a more meaningful life. So, what are the elements in PERMA?
Positive emotion
When we focus in on our positive emotions, we see things through a more optimistic lens. We experience increased hope, and we are more willing to take chances and explore new opportunities. One way you can increase your positive emotions every day, is by incorporating a gratitude practice into your daily life. All it takes is finding one thing or person a day to be grateful for! Tip: Write it down! A gratitude journal is a great place to start!
Engagement
This part of the PERMA model is not so much focused on what we do, but how we do it. When we are engaged in activities, we are absorbed and completely committed to the activity. When our mind is engaged in an activity, it is calm and attentive. This promotes well-being. One way to increase your engagement is to find a hobby or activity you love and do it every day! Tip: Ask yourself, what do I notice when I’m doing this?
Relationship
We are, by nature, social creatures! Nurturing healthy relationships protects you from negative emotions and stressors. You can nurture your relationships by intentionally spending quality time with those you care about, or even by reaching out for support from others when needed. Tip: Ask yourself, “if there is one thing I could do daily to nurture my relationships, what would it be?”.
Meaning
Finding meaning, or a purpose in life, is another important element of the PERMA model of well-being. This is all about finding purpose in life in doing something bigger than just you. Tip: We can do this by helping others out, or possibly joining a charitable organization.
Accomplishment
When we achieve something difficult, we feel satisfied. When we commit to a goal and we invest in something, accomplishing this gives us purpose and meaning in life. Accomplishment not only increases our happiness, but it also builds resilience through knowing we can do difficult things! You can foster a sense of accomplishment by setting SMART goals and working towards them. Tip: SMART goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound goals that you can work to achieve. Incorporating the elements of the PERMA model (positive emotions, engagement, relationship, meaning, accomplishment) into your everyday life doesn’t just make you feel good. This also helps you to find and make meaning in life and continue thriving to make your future brighter!
To take the Self-Scoring PERMA Scale, Click Here: https://www.edencounseling.com/resources/perma_self_score.pdf
To learn more about the PERMA model, and how to use positive psychology to increase your well-being and create a more fulfilling life, contact me about the upcoming Positive Psychology Workshop, here at BWG!
Jennifer Grayson, M.A.
Pre-Doctoral Psychology Intern