GiveYourselfaHand_BFredrickson
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Recent research by Barbara Fredrickson has shown that positive emotions have long term bene- fits in our lives. Aside from making us feel good at the moment, attending to positive emotions in a regular way brings beneficial side effects. The Broaden-and-Build Theory has been postulated, suggesting that “positive emotions broaden an individual’s momentary mindset, and by doing so help to build enduring personal resources.” Barbara Fredrickson’s research indicates several possible beneficial effects of positive emotions. She suggests that people who experience frequent positive feelings tend to: • Live up to 10 years longer • Store resources for solving problems at a later time • Have a broader perspective, with more options, for solving difficulties • Think more creatively • Integrate information more quickly and easily • Be less likely to jump to conclusions (premature closure) • Be less depressed • Undo the negative effects of stress or negative emotions • Increase the physiological recovery after anxiety-provoking situations • Be more likely to feel good in the future • Create positive feelings in others An experiment for you to try:: Use your five fingers to stir positive emotions throughout the day. Pick a different finger at each red light you encounter and give yourself a hand at feeling good. Thumbs -Up Name something you do or have done that you feel PROUD about Point to something beautiful in NATURE The Reverse Flip-Off Name something you have DONE FOR ANOTHER that makes you feel good Ring Finger Recall a time when you LOVED deeply Pinky Name a little something for which you are GRATEFUL Fredrickson, Barbara L. 2003. The Value of Positive Emotions: The emerging science of positive psychology is coming to understand why it’s good to feel good. American Scientist 91, 330-335. Give Yourself a Hand 2003 Elsbeth Martindale, Psy.D.
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GiveYourselfaHand_BFredrickson
Transcript of GiveYourselfaHand_BFredrickson
Recent research by Barbara Fredrickson has shown that positive emotions have long term bene-fits in our lives. Aside from making us feel good at the moment, attending to positive emotions in a regular way brings beneficial side effects. The Broaden-and-Build Theory has been postulated, suggesting that “positive emotions broaden an individual’s momentary mindset, and by doing so help to build enduring personal resources.”
Barbara Fredrickson’s research indicates several possible beneficial effects of positive emotions. She suggests that people who experience frequent positive feelings tend to: • Live up to 10 years longer • Store resources for solving problems at a later time • Have a broader perspective, with more options, for solving difficulties • Think more creatively • Integrate information more quickly and easily • Be less likely to jump to conclusions (premature closure) • Be less depressed • Undo the negative effects of stress or negative emotions • Increase the physiological recovery after anxiety-provoking situations • Be more likely to feel good in the future • Create positive feelings in others
An experiment for you to try:: Use your five fingers to stir positive emotions throughout the day. Pick a different finger at each red light you encounter and give yourself a hand at feeling good.
Thumbs -UpName something you do or have done that you feel PROUD about
Point to something beautiful in NATURE
The Reverse Flip-OffName something you have DONE FOR ANOTHER that makes you feel good
Ring FingerRecall a time when you LOVED deeply
PinkyName a little something for which you are GRATEFUL
Fredrickson, Barbara L. 2003. The Value of Positive Emotions: The emerging science of positive psychology is coming to understand why it’s good to feel good. American Scientist 91, 330-335.
Give Yourself a Hand
2003 Elsbeth Martindale, Psy.D.
