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Happiness and How to Maintain It

What is happiness?

The self-help literature available in bookshops generously offers a plethora of definitions and means of achieving happiness. But the ‘science’ of happiness presents a different kind of knowledge of what it takes to experience happiness. More importantly, academic writing about happiness explores research in psychology and neuroscience, and provides us with evidence about positive emotion and how to maintain it in the face of external circumstances that might threaten our equilibrium.

Within the last 20 years, the focus on happiness has produced serious research studies and reflection on the opportunity for psychology to assist people to actively develop a sense of wellbeing instead of just addressing mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. The learning from a range of contemporary ‘happiness scholars’ informs us that happiness is possible but it is a more complex state than a fleeting feeling of pleasure. Rather, it can be a more sustained, and sustainable experience. This view, advocated by Seligman, one of the first contemporary positive psychology practitioners and academics, is reinforced in the following statement.

People desire well-being in its own right, and they desire it above and beyond the relief of their suffering … Bringing about well-being - positive emotion, engagement, purpose, positive relationships, positive accomplishment - may be one of our best weapons against mental disorder, (Seligman, 2008, p 5).

Positive psychology

Seligman, respected for his extensive research on positive psychology, has written numerous books and over 150 journal articles. He promotes positive psychology as a tool based on the constructive appreciation of what people can develop in themselves. He stated in a 2005 BBC program, The Happiness Formula, that until quite recently scientific investigation suggested that there was a ‘set point of happiness’ predetermined by our genes. He believes an individual can develop happiness, learn to identify and build strengths and resilience, and live a satisfying life.

The work of ‘positive’ psychology is to assist people to learn active practices of wellbeing. He gives examples of three practices.

‘Three blessings’ - at the end of each day, writing down three things that went well.
‘Gratitude visit’ - writing a testimonial of gratitude to a person and delivering it personally.
Using the signature strength test and developing the hierarchy of signature strengths.

These tests are featured on the ‘Authentic Happiness’ website of the Positive Psychology Center, University of Pennsylvania (see References) and are connected to Seligman’s ongoing research activities. In a study of people who completed the first web exercise, ‘Three blessings’, Seligman found that 94% of severely depressed individuals became less depressed, and 92% became happier, with an average symptom relief of a ‘whopping 50% over only 15 days’ (Seligman, 2005).

Maintaining positive focus

Seligman has defined happiness in three distinct domains, and emphasises that each can be taught as a skill and can be measured (Education Connect, 2008, ‘Edge’ website). The three domains are outlined below.

Positive emotion - the experience of pleasure and enjoyment gained through the activities we undertake.
Engagement or ‘flow’, which includes the sense of being totally involved in what we are doing at the time and operating without self-consciousness.
Meaningful life experience gained by knowing our ‘highest strengths’ and our capacity to use and apply them in our work to get a sense of achievement (Seligman in Education Connect 12, 2008, p 9).

In addition, Seligman promotes the need for positive relationships and positive accomplishment as critical factors that lead to feelings of happiness and optimism.

In a recent journal article, Seligman outlines evidence that makes the connection between positive psychology and positive physical health in research studies conducted over the past ten years. He cites examples of this connection, including: more creative thinking and improved diagnosis by physicians who have increased their knowledge of positive emotions; better peripheral vision for an individual who has positive emotions; better chance of longevity after one heart attack for optimistic men; and evidence that positive behaviour is a protective mechanism against stroke, rapid progression of HIV and general mortality rates in the elderly (Seligman, 2008, pp 5-6).

In summary, Seligman states: ‘Subjective well-being, as measured by optimism and other positive emotions, protects one from physical illness’ (2008, p 7).

Comment

One of the key features of the Staff Matters model is that teachers are encouraged to take responsibility for their own mental health and wellbeing. One approach to achieving positive mental health and wellbeing is to focus on developing our capacity for optimism and taking control over our circumstances so that we can have ‘optimal experience’. We can recognise and build on our individual strengths in our work as teachers. We can plan for flow. We can also look at the way we develop positive emotion, engagement and meaning in our working lives. It is possible, indeed vital, to take steps towards creating positive mental health and wellbeing for ourselves.

References

‘Values in Action Signature Strengths’ and ‘Authentic Happiness Questionnaires’. Viewed on 14 April 2009 and located at: http://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/Default.aspx

Linley, A. & Carter, D. (2007), ‘From Stress to Strengths’, Training Journal. Viewed on 15 April 2009 on the Centre for Applied Positive Psychology website:

http://www.cappeu.org/cm_articles.aspx

Seligman, M.E.P. (2008), ‘Positive Health’, Applied Psychology: An International Review, 57, 3-18, International Association of Applied Psychology, Oxford, UK.

Seligman, M.E.P. (2008), ‘Positive Education and the New Prosperity: Australia’s Edge’ in Education Connect, Issue 12, pp 9-11, Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, Canberra.

Seligman, M.E.P. (2005), ‘The Happiness Formula’, BBC News Programmes. Viewed on 20 February 2009 at:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/programmes/happiness_formula/4903464.stm