In the United States 20% of the adult population report that they are living a ?ourishing life (Keyes, 2002). However, a high percentage reports feeling as if they are ‘‘stuck’’ or ‘‘want more’’ and are yet not diagnosable with a mental disorder (Fredrickson, 2008). Because happiness has been found to be the source of many desirable life outcomes e.g. career success, marriage, and health, it is of importance to understand, how languishing individuals can reach this ideal state: How can well-being be enhanced and misery reduced (Lyubomirsky, King, & Diener, 2005).
Over the past decade, research in the ?eld of positive psychology has emerged to provide evidence-based methods to increase an individual’s psychological well-being, through so called positive psychology interventions (PPI’s). PPI’s are treatment methods or intentional activities used to promote positive feelings or behaviour. PPI’s vary from writing gratitude letters, practicing optimistic thinking and replaying positive experiences. A meta-analysis of 51 independent PPI studies demonstrated significant results in the effectiveness of PPI’s increasing well-being (49 studies; r = .29) (Sin & Lyubomirsky, 2009).Seligman (2010) found that positive interventions tend to be addictive and self-sustaining.
I would like to analyze the effectiveness of PPI’s by speaking about my own experience participating in three PPI’s: “Expressing Gratitude”, “3 Good Things” and “Random Acts of Kindness”, to see if I can agree with Seligman’s argument.My journey of the process started with the PPI “Expressing Gratitude”. The task instructed to write down five things one is thankful for, each day, for a week. Wooh, Froh & Gerahty (2010) defined gratitude as a habit of noticing and being aw. . (2001) showed that grateful individuals were especially appreciative of the contribution of others to their happiness.
Expressing gratitude and reviewing three good things highlighted this, and reminded me to show my loved ones my gratitude. According to my personal experience, I would not agree with Seligman saying that PPI’s are addictive but they are definitely refreshing. Participating in PPI’s once in a while raises ones awareness to remember the positive aspects of life with and to treat ones subjective-well-being. However, I do agree with his argument of the self-sustaining effect of PPI’s. Due to participating in PPI’s, I try to be consciously aware of being grateful and kind to others as it increases my well-being. However, but it has to be practiced consistently due to negatives and stresses of our everyday life in our society that are always persistent.
