“Positive psychology is the scientific study of human strengths and virtues. The study of what constitutes the pleasant life, the engaged life, and the meaningful life.”
— Dr. Martin Seligman —
SKILL
The PERMA+ Framework includes six elements that are critical to living a good life. Click on each tab below to learn more about each component. Then, begin to track your wellbeing by practicing the skill of PERMA+ Snapshot, a quick reflection to see how you’re doing on each of the essential elements of wellbeing.
Positive Emotions
We can increase our wellbeing by enhancing how we experience positive emotions and pleasure in both frequency and intensity. Positive emotions such as love, joy, gratitude, pride, inspiration, hope, interest, serenity, amusement, and awe. We have the capacity to increase our positive emotions about the past, present, and the future.
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Engagement
An optimal human experience, which has been referred to as “flow,” is when we are truly absorbed and engaged in a situation or task by using our skills, strengths, and full attention. We lose a sense of self, lose track of time, and concentrate intensely on the present. The more we are able to experience this type of engagement, the more likely we are to experience wellbeing.
Relationships
As innately social beings, relationships are fundamental to our wellbeing. Connections to others can give us purpose and meaning, increase motivation, boost our positive emotions, and support us during our hard times, increasing our resilience. We have the ability to cooperate, show empathy, the capacity to love, offer compassion and kindness because the bottom line is ... other people matter.
Meaning
A sense of meaning and purpose comes from serving a cause and connecting to something bigger than ourselves. Whether this is family, science, politics, religion, a social cause that helps people of the planet, having a deep sense of purpose increases our wellbeing. Purpose motivates us, protects us from setbacks and failures, and provides us with a greater connection to the world and those around us.
Accomplishments
We tend to pursue competence, success, achievement, and mastery in a variety of domains. Whether we are seeking to better ourselves through healthy routines and self-care, master a hobby or skill, achieve a valuable goal or promotion at work, or win a competitive event, accomplishment is an important element of wellbeing.
+Health
Although health was not included in Dr. Martin Seligman’s original framework of wellbeing and flourishing, we know that it is a vital element of wellbeing. Nutrition, movement, and sleep fuel our bodies and minds to get us ready to pursue each of the other elements of PERMA, enhancing our wellbeing!
Positive Emotions
We can increase our wellbeing by enhancing how we experience positive emotions and pleasure in both frequency and intensity. Positive emotions such as love, joy, gratitude, pride, inspiration, hope, interest, serenity, amusement, and awe. We have the capacity to increase our positive emotions about the past, present, and the future.
Engagement
An optimal human experience, which has been referred to as “flow,” is when we are truly absorbed and engaged in a situation or task by using our skills, strengths, and full attention. We lose a sense of self, lose track of time, and concentrate intensely on the present. The more we are able to experience this type of engagement, the more likely we are to experience wellbeing.
Relationships
As innately social beings, relationships are fundamental to our wellbeing. Connections to others can give us purpose and meaning, increase motivation, boost our positive emotions, and support us during our hard times, increasing our resilience. We have the ability to cooperate, show empathy, the capacity to love, offer compassion and kindness because the bottom line is ... other people matter.
Meaning
A sense of meaning and purpose comes from serving a cause and connecting to something bigger than ourselves. Whether this is family, science, politics, religion, a social cause that helps people of the planet, having a deep sense of purpose increases our wellbeing. Purpose motivates us, protects us from setbacks and failures, and provides us with a greater connection to the world and those around us.
Accomplishments
We tend to pursue competence, success, achievement, and mastery in a variety of domains. Whether we are seeking to better ourselves through healthy routines and self-care, master a hobby or skill, achieve a valuable goal or promotion at work, or win a competitive event, accomplishment is an important element of wellbeing.
+Health
Although health was not included in Dr. Martin Seligman’s original framework of wellbeing and flourishing, we know that it is a vital element of wellbeing. Nutrition, movement, and sleep fuel our bodies and minds to get us ready to pursue each of the other elements of PERMA, enhancing our wellbeing!
SCIENCE
People often use the term “balance” to describe the fact that no single aspect of wellbeing promises an engaged, happy life. The PERMA+ Snapshot provides a research-based structure to the idea of “balance” and helps you track how well you are doing and feeling across each element of wellbeing over time. Just as you might track your blood pressure or weight, the PERMA+ Snapshot tool lets you quickly check in on your unique wellbeing status. Reflect and track which areas you are already excelling in and which require some attention because checking in with yourself (and those around you) is a core part of leading a happier, healthier life.
BENEFITS
People who track their PERMA+ Snapshot are more likely to practice the skills of wellbeing that lead to:
- More resilience in times of challenge & stress
- Higher levels of satisfaction with work & their career
- Deeper and more meaningful relationships
- Increased social support
- Greater meaning in their community & day-to-day lives
- Increased performance and higher achievement
- Better sleep quality
- Less depression and anxiety