Positive Emotional Psychology: Have a 'Daily Diet' of Positive Emotions - US News and World Report

Positive Emotional Psychology: Have a 'Daily Diet' of Positive Emotions - US News and World Report


Positive Emotional Psychology: Have a 'Daily Diet' of Positive Emotions
We need 3 positive emotions for every negative emotion, says psychology expert
By Lindsay Lyon
Posted June 24, 2009

Excerpts:

Joy. Interest. Love. Serenity. Awe. Amusement. Pride. Such positive emotions, fleeting feelings that last just seconds or minutes, are the subject of Barbara Fredrickson's research. Fredrickson, a professor of psychology at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, examines how they can alter our thoughts and actions for the better. She finds, for example that when we're under the influence of positive emotions, our awareness expands. "We literally see more," she says. "Our peripheral vision is expanded." (Negative emotions, on the other hand, narrow our thinking.) She also finds that people who increase their "daily diet" of positive emotions develop closer connections with others, their resilience and optimism strengthens, and they become less depressed and more satisfied with life, compared with people who do nothing to experience them more frequently.

The good news, says Fredrickson: "There are multiple ways to raise your ratio." You can increase your positive emotions, you can decrease your negative emotions, or you can do both, she says.

Read Full Article: http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/brain-and-behavior/2009/06/24/positive-emotional-psychology-have-a-daily-diet-of-positive-emotions.html

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This posting was made my Jim Jacobs, President & CEO of Jacobs Executive Advisors. Jim also serves as Leader of Jacobs Advisors' Insurance Practice.