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Positivity
Top-Notch Research Reveals the 3 to 1 Ratio That Will Change Your Life
Positivity presents the latest research into the positive emotions that are the foundation of our happiness. By presenting different strategies to increase the amount of positive emotions you experience, this book will help you adopt a positive general attitude toward life.
- Anyone interested in the power of positive emotions
- Anyone who wants to enjoy greater happiness and life satisfaction
- Anyone interested in positive psychology and happiness research
Barbara L. Fredrickson is Professor of Psychology at the University of North Carolina. Her research into positive emotions has significantly shaped the field of positive psychology. She is also the author of Love 2.0.
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Positivity
Top-Notch Research Reveals the 3 to 1 Ratio That Will Change Your Life
- Read in 15 minutes
- Audio & text available
- Contains 9 key ideas
Synopsis
Positivity presents the latest research into the positive emotions that are the foundation of our happiness. By presenting different strategies to increase the amount of positive emotions you experience, this book will help you adopt a positive general attitude toward life.
Key idea 1 of 9
The power of positive emotions has been underestimated for far too long.
Everyone knows good feelings have a positive impact: they give us energy to get more done, and our positive energy makes others like us better.
But surprisingly, up until recently, researchers mainly focused on our negative feelings, such as fear or anger.
This is because negative feelings can seem to have a more serious impact, for example, leading to depression or despair. And we’re usually more aware of negative feelings, while positive ones are a more subtle experience.
But why are negative feelings so much “louder”?
Because they have been crucial to our survival in our evolutionary past: our ancestors intensely experienced negative feelings like fear when they focused on a given threat, like a predator or enemy, so they could concentrate all their energies on fleeing or fighting.
The study of these negative emotions has allowed psychiatrists to ease many mental disorders. But only recently have researchers wondered what impact a focus on positive emotions and a general positive attitude toward life might have. And when they did, they soon came to realize what a great effect positive emotions have on our day-to-day existence.
In large doses, positive feelings such as love, joy, gratefulness, hope or pride can change our whole lives. And while they often pass unnoticed, these “silent stars” make us more resilient and help guide us through many tough times.
Furthermore, positive psychologists have shown that if you manage to increase the amount of positive emotions you experience, you’ll reap many benefits.
You’ll be more successful in your career, enjoy more stable and fulfilling relationships, and live a generally happier, less stressful life!
Key ideas in this title
- The power of positive emotions has been underestimated for far too long.
- A positive general attitude toward life is the key to happiness.
- Positive emotions broaden our perspective and make us more open to others.
- The ideal mix of emotions for a fulfilled life? Three positive emotions for every negative one.
- Reaching the positivity ratio is, for most of us, an attainable goal.
- The simplest way to increase your positive feelings is to write them down.
- Mindfulness lets you consciously change your everyday feelings.
- Meditation is a tried-and-tested method to increase positivity and mindfulness.
- Final summary
