Published by Associated Press
St Petersburg (Florida)
Say thanks, it might make you feel better.
Academics have long theorised that expressions of thank promote health and happiness and give optimism and energy to the downtrodden.
In recent years, researchers have tried to measure the benefits of gratitude. In a National Science Foundation funded study, Northeastern University psychologist David DeSteno has participants complete an arduous data entry task only to have it lost by a computer malfunction.
Then, a lab assistant, seemingly unconnected to the study and claiming to be in a hurry with his own experiment, restores the lost work.
The participants are dismissed. They bump into the lab assistant, who asks for help.; Dr DeSteno found those who had been helped by the assistant, and were grateful for it, were more likely to return the favour, and did so for longer than those in a group not helped.
"Gratitude leads people to act in virtues or more selfless ways," said Dr DeSteno, whose research was published earlier this year in the journal Current Directions In Psychological Science. "And it builds social support, which we know is tied to both physical and psychological well being."
Dr Robert Emmons, a psychology professor at the University of California, Davis, said those who offer gratitude are less envious and resentful. They sleep longer, exercise more and report a drop in blood pressure, said Dr Emmons, who wrote Thanks! How Practising Gratitude Can Make You Happier.
Dr Brenda Shoshanna, a New York psychologist, agreed. "You can't be depressed and grateful at the same time," said Dr Shoshanna, the author of 365 Ways To Give Thanks: One For Every Day Of The Year. "It makes a person physically, mentally, in every way healthier."
Friday, December 25, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Positive Psychology in the Workplace
The Positivity Ratio
By Lisa Sansom
You may have heard of a "magic" 3 to 1 positivity ratio - or this may be the first time you are hearing about it. However, this positivity ratio can be very important for you personally and professionally, so let me talk a bit about what it is and how you can implement it.
The 3:1 positivity ratio is based on research by Barbara Fredrickson and she writes about it in her book Positivity. The essence is that for every one negative emotion, we should experience and cultivate three positive emotions in order to flourish. People who are depressed tend to have ratios that are closer to 1:1 - not even more negatives than positives, but they experience about the same number of each. People who are flourishing, in their lives overall, tend to experience 3:1 at a minimum, and possibly more.
Why is this?
First of all, negative emotions tend to be more weighty. When you look back on your life, it is likely easier to remember the down times, and those memories can bring you down again. It is less easy to remember the joyful and exuberant times, and when you do remember those high points, the current emotion you experience may be more akin to satisfaction or contentment - not the highs that you lived before.
Also, negative emotions tend to last longer than positive emotions. This is a result of the way our brains are wired - it's not right or wrong, it just is. Negative emotions stay with us longer, and so have a greater impact on us.
Positive emotions tend to be more fleeting, especially in their highest, most energetic states. People can stay in a state of contentment for a while, but probably not in a state of ecstatic joy.
All of this means that for every one negative emotion, you should actively try to experience or cultivate three positive emotions to counteract the downward spiral that could result otherwise.
This 3:1 ratio is a mathematical average - you should also be aware that in marriages, for example, research is showing that a 5:1 ratio is a better predictor of health and longevity. In the workplace, high-performance teams track at 6:1.
So what does this mean for you? Two things:
1. Actively cultivate more positive emotion. Barbara Fredrickson's website has some links and tools for you to assess your current ratio. See http://www.positivityratio.com/
2. Refocus your attention on the good events that do happen. You may not need to actively create new positive experiences, but give your attention to the positive events that are naturally occurring around you. This will also boost your positivity ratio.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Innerpositiveness Leader
By Madeline Wan
We are here for a purpose..
Live a great meaningful and purposeful life!
Would our life be defined by how much material possessions we acquired or perhaps a heart, a life we have touched?
Go MAD!
Cultivate our spirit, character and body and that of those under our charge!
We have the capacity..
Greatness is in ALL of Us. Believe it.
We have the capacity to give and to bless.
Our Purpose
Transforming our organization..
a Vision is but a thousand steps of doing..
have a disciplined mind to execute..
How big do you want your biz to be?
The size of heart determines the size of our business…
Have space in your heart for people..
Our State of Mind (SOM) is key..
Mental Stillness or Mental Tension?
Our well being determines that of those below us..
Feel good! Look better!
Don’t beat yourself!
Certainty and Confidence comes from not knowing everything but believing you can learn and do everything…
May peace be with you..
God, grant me,
Serenity to accept things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can, and
Wisdom to know the difference.
Our appreciation
Let’s just do your best, and God will do the rest.
Thank you leaders.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
The Art of Happiness
By Dalai Lama
The purpose of life is to seek happiness that last. Genuine Happiness is a feeling of joy and a sense of inner contentment that results from developing inner discipline which is calm, peace state of mind, rooted in affection and compassion.
Pleasure can also result in a feeling of joy, but based mainly on physical sensory experiences and subject to change at any time, and will not last, that feeling is only temporary.
Genuine Happiness relates more to the state of one's mind and heart, and it is much more stable, reliable, and long lasting than pleasure. Tibetan concept of mind “Sem” has a much broader meaning, closer to `psyche' or `spirit'; it includes intellect and feeling, heart and mind."
So it's not just "positive thinking" that's the key, it's positive being. By bringing about a certain inner discipline, we can undergo a transformation of our attitude, our entire outlook and approach to living.
There are many components to a happy life - having enough money to have one's basic needs met, other people with whom one can share things, love, and so on. It is still possible to be happy even if one has very little money, is in poor health, or even if one is not fortunate enough to have a special relationship with a spouse or lover.
On the other hand, no matter how wealthy a person is, no matter how wonderful their spouse is, or no matter how much "external" success one enjoys or praise one receives, if a person's mind is in turmoil, if it is troubled by anger, hatred, fear, anxiety, or jealousy, then it is impossible to really be happy.
Even though certain having a certain amount of money and so on are factors for enjoying a happy life, one's mental state, the "mind factor" is the predominant or key component.
Happiness can be achieved through training the mind. By getting into the habit of spending a few minutes each day engaged in any practice that helps quiet and focuses the mind--practices such as meditation or prayer. This can help one develop a calm, peace state of mind – inner discipline.
The purpose of life is to seek happiness that last. Genuine Happiness is a feeling of joy and a sense of inner contentment that results from developing inner discipline which is calm, peace state of mind, rooted in affection and compassion.
Pleasure can also result in a feeling of joy, but based mainly on physical sensory experiences and subject to change at any time, and will not last, that feeling is only temporary.
Genuine Happiness relates more to the state of one's mind and heart, and it is much more stable, reliable, and long lasting than pleasure. Tibetan concept of mind “Sem” has a much broader meaning, closer to `psyche' or `spirit'; it includes intellect and feeling, heart and mind."
So it's not just "positive thinking" that's the key, it's positive being. By bringing about a certain inner discipline, we can undergo a transformation of our attitude, our entire outlook and approach to living.
There are many components to a happy life - having enough money to have one's basic needs met, other people with whom one can share things, love, and so on. It is still possible to be happy even if one has very little money, is in poor health, or even if one is not fortunate enough to have a special relationship with a spouse or lover.
On the other hand, no matter how wealthy a person is, no matter how wonderful their spouse is, or no matter how much "external" success one enjoys or praise one receives, if a person's mind is in turmoil, if it is troubled by anger, hatred, fear, anxiety, or jealousy, then it is impossible to really be happy.
Even though certain having a certain amount of money and so on are factors for enjoying a happy life, one's mental state, the "mind factor" is the predominant or key component.
Happiness can be achieved through training the mind. By getting into the habit of spending a few minutes each day engaged in any practice that helps quiet and focuses the mind--practices such as meditation or prayer. This can help one develop a calm, peace state of mind – inner discipline.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Happiness is like a virus
By Gloria Chandy - editor of The Straits Times
Those feel-good vibes that flow from being happy can be good for your health. Moreover, your happiness will likely rub off on others, making them happy too. Happiness is like a virus - it can be passed on.
These are the findings of two studies done in the United States over the past 20 years.
In one of the studies, reported three years ago, researchers from Carnegie Mellon University said there is evidence that positive emotions like happiness are linked to good health and increased longevity.
While the scientists drew no definite conclusions after talking to hundreds of people over a 10-year period, they deduced that people with positive emotions experience lower rates of chronic illness, symptoms and pain.
They also found that "happy" test subjects were more resistant to cold and flu viruses than people with more negative feelings.
In the other study, a 20 year one by a team from the University of California at San Diego and Harvard University, 5000 participants were quizzed on their social networks. The researchers reported that, on average, every happy person in one's environment increases one's own chance of happiness by 9%.
We should welcome such "contagion". However, this isn't about the kind you feel after a pleasant evening with friends, or having snapped up a good bargain at a sales. It is about lasting happiness linked to positive thoughts.
A positive attitude, when in the most trying of circumstances, is admittedly hard to achieve, but it can help raise one's spirits and fight off those unhappy blues.
This week, we spoke to parents who have proved it. while their children's diagnoses of childhood cancer were surely the most depressing news for them, the parents of Aina and Naomi knew that they had to smile through their pain for their daughters' sake.
It must have been tough. Happiness is not just something we can switch on or off like an electric light. However, they achieved it. Their positive feelings have rubbed off on the children.
Both girls have bravely borne their illness and treatment, and little Aina has even taken on a counsellor's role - telling other little kids in the cancer ward to be brave and not cry.
She's helping to spread happiness in her way. I hope she will prove that the research findings are right.
Those feel-good vibes that flow from being happy can be good for your health. Moreover, your happiness will likely rub off on others, making them happy too. Happiness is like a virus - it can be passed on.
These are the findings of two studies done in the United States over the past 20 years.
In one of the studies, reported three years ago, researchers from Carnegie Mellon University said there is evidence that positive emotions like happiness are linked to good health and increased longevity.
While the scientists drew no definite conclusions after talking to hundreds of people over a 10-year period, they deduced that people with positive emotions experience lower rates of chronic illness, symptoms and pain.
They also found that "happy" test subjects were more resistant to cold and flu viruses than people with more negative feelings.
In the other study, a 20 year one by a team from the University of California at San Diego and Harvard University, 5000 participants were quizzed on their social networks. The researchers reported that, on average, every happy person in one's environment increases one's own chance of happiness by 9%.
We should welcome such "contagion". However, this isn't about the kind you feel after a pleasant evening with friends, or having snapped up a good bargain at a sales. It is about lasting happiness linked to positive thoughts.
A positive attitude, when in the most trying of circumstances, is admittedly hard to achieve, but it can help raise one's spirits and fight off those unhappy blues.
This week, we spoke to parents who have proved it. while their children's diagnoses of childhood cancer were surely the most depressing news for them, the parents of Aina and Naomi knew that they had to smile through their pain for their daughters' sake.
It must have been tough. Happiness is not just something we can switch on or off like an electric light. However, they achieved it. Their positive feelings have rubbed off on the children.
Both girls have bravely borne their illness and treatment, and little Aina has even taken on a counsellor's role - telling other little kids in the cancer ward to be brave and not cry.
She's helping to spread happiness in her way. I hope she will prove that the research findings are right.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Believe You Can Succeed And You Will
How To Develop The Power of Believe by David J. Schwartz.(author of The Magic of Thinking Big)
1. Think Success, don't think failure
At work, in your home, subsititute success thinking for failure thinking.
When you face a difficult situation, think, "I'll win," not "I'll probably lose."
When you compete with someone else, think, "I'm equal to the best," not "I'm out-classed."
When opportunity appears, think "Ican do it," never "I can't"
Let the master thought "I-will-succeed" dominate your thinking process. Thinking success conditions your mind to create plans that produces success. Thinking failure does the exact opposite. Failure thinking conditions the mind to think other thoughts that produce failure.
2. Remind yourself regularly that you are better than you think you are
Successful people are not supermen. Success does not require a super-intellect. Nor is there anything mystical above success. And success isn't based on luck. Successful people are just ordinary folks who have developed belief in themselves and what they do. Never-yes, never-sell yourself short.
3. Believe BIG
The size of your success is determined by the size of your belief. Think little goals and expect little achievement. Think big goals and win big success. Remeber this, too! Big ideas and big plans are often easier - certainly no more difficult - than small ideas and small plans.
THINK BIG!
1. Think Success, don't think failure
At work, in your home, subsititute success thinking for failure thinking.
When you face a difficult situation, think, "I'll win," not "I'll probably lose."
When you compete with someone else, think, "I'm equal to the best," not "I'm out-classed."
When opportunity appears, think "Ican do it," never "I can't"
Let the master thought "I-will-succeed" dominate your thinking process. Thinking success conditions your mind to create plans that produces success. Thinking failure does the exact opposite. Failure thinking conditions the mind to think other thoughts that produce failure.
2. Remind yourself regularly that you are better than you think you are
Successful people are not supermen. Success does not require a super-intellect. Nor is there anything mystical above success. And success isn't based on luck. Successful people are just ordinary folks who have developed belief in themselves and what they do. Never-yes, never-sell yourself short.
3. Believe BIG
The size of your success is determined by the size of your belief. Think little goals and expect little achievement. Think big goals and win big success. Remeber this, too! Big ideas and big plans are often easier - certainly no more difficult - than small ideas and small plans.
THINK BIG!
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