Wellbeing & FlourishingKey dynamics & intervention areas

by Lifehack HQlifehackhq.co

The World Health Organisation defines [wellbeing] as the presence of “a state in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully and is able to make a contribution to his or her own community” (WHO, 2004)

Positive Psychology is the scientific study of the characteristics and processes that contribute to flourishing in people, groups and organisations. It is an applied approach to optimal functioning and is focused on achieving high performance and enhancing wellbeing through harnessing strengths, doing more of what works and building on success. It is the study of people at their best.

Defining Wellbeing:- Self acceptance

- Positive relationships with others

- Autonomy

- Environmental mastery

- Purpose in life

- Personal growth

Carol Ryff - New Economics Foundation

The Picture of a Flourishing Young Person

Child Flourishing

Personal Flourishing

● Gratitude

● Forgiveness

● Hope

● Goal Orientation

● Life Satisfaction

● Purpose

● Spirituality

Flourishing in Relationships● Positive Friendships with Peers● Positive Relationships with Parents

Relationship Skills● Empathy● Social Competence

Helping Others to Flourish● Altruism● Helping Family and Friends

Environmental Stewardship● Environmental Stewardship

Flourishing in School and Work

● Diligence and Reliability

● Educational Engagement

● Initiative Taking

● Trustworthiness and Integrity

● Thrift

Broad and Build Theory: the upwards spiral

“Positive emotional feelings such as moods, and sentiments such as happiness, carry more personal and psychological benefits than just a pleasant, personal subjective experience. Flourishing widens attention, broaden behavioral repertoires, which means to broaden one’s skills or regularly performed actions, increase intuition, and increase creativity. Secondly, good feelings can have physiological manifestations, such as significant and positive cardiovascular effects, such as a reduction in blood pressure. Third, good feelings predict healthy mental and physical outcomes. Also, positive affect and flourishing is related to longevity.”

Society flourishes when individuals flourish

“Flourishing happens when people feel high levels of emotional, psychological and social well-being, which can result from experiencing vigor and vitality, self-determination, continuous self-growth, close relationships and a purposeful and meaningful life, Keyes said. Flourishing adults tend to miss fewer days of work, experience fewer physical health problems, such as cardiovascular disease, and are more productive at work than people who are not flourishing, according to Keyes's research." Corey Keyes: Helping people 'flourish' best boosts their mental healthNovember 2005, Vol 36, No. 10, American Psychological Association, Print version: page 64

PERMA - A Flourishing Model

Self expression categories

There are several broad categories of self-expression and adults need to actively ensure that a safe holding environment is present when such expressions occur.

The main categories are:

Self Expression

• physical

• sexual

• emotional

• intellectual

• behavioural

• social

• creative