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    Positive Psychology: Harnessing the power of happiness, mindfulness, and inner strength
    Positive Psychology: Harnessing the power of happiness, mindfulness, and inner strength
    Positive Psychology: Harnessing the power of happiness, mindfulness, and inner strength
    Ebook124 pages1 hour

    Positive Psychology: Harnessing the power of happiness, mindfulness, and inner strength

    By Ronald D. Siegel, PsyD

    4.5/5

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    About this ebook

    Positive emotions have been linked with better health, longer life, and greater well-being in numerous scientific studies. On the other hand, chronic anger, worry, and hostility increase the risk of developing heart disease, as people react to these feelings with raised blood pressure and stiffening of blood vessels. But it isn't easy to maintain a healthy, positive emotional state. People often misjudge what will make them happy and content. Positive Psychology, a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School, is a guide to the concepts that can help you find well-being and happiness, based on the latest research. This report includes self-assessment tests and step-by-step advice and exercises to help you maximize the positive emotion in your life.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBookBaby
    Release dateMay 8, 2014
    ISBN9781614010784
    Positive Psychology: Harnessing the power of happiness, mindfulness, and inner strength

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      Book preview

      Positive Psychology - Ronald D. Siegel, PsyD

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      Harvard Health Publications

      Harvard Medical School

      10 Shattuck Street, 2nd Floor

      Boston, MA 02115-6011 U.S.A.

      www.health.harvard.edu

      POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY

      SPECIAL HEALTH REPORT

      Medical Editor

      Ronald D. Siegel, Psy.D.

      Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychology, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge Health Alliance

      Writer

      Susan Ince

      Contributing Editor

      Steven M. Allison, Psy.D.

      Editor, Special Health Reports

      Kathleen Cahill Allison

      Art Director

      Heather Derocher

      Production Editors

      Mary Kenda Allen

      Melissa Rico

      Illustrator

      Scott Leighton

      Published by Harvard Medical School

      Anthony L. Komaroff, M.D., Editor in Chief Edward Coburn, Publishing Director

      Copyright ©2011 by Harvard University. Written permission is required to reproduce, in any manner, in whole or in part, the material contained herein. Submit reprint requests in writing to:

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      Ordering Special Health Reports

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      For multiple-copy discount rates, please write or call: StayWell Consumer Health Publishing, Attn: SR Bulk Orders, One Atlantic Street, Suite 604, Stamford, CT 06901 203-653-6270 (toll-free: 888-456-1222, ext. 31110).

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      ISBN 978-1-935555-68-1

      The goal of materials provided by Harvard Health Publications is to interpret medical information for the general reader. This report is not intended as a substitute for personal medical advice, which should be obtained directly from a physician.

      Contents

      A science of satisfaction

      History of positive psychology

      Positive emotions and the brain

      Is happiness always good?

      Defining and measuring happiness

      Is it genetic?

      Why pleasure fades

      The happiness/health connection

      What makes you happy?

      Testing your happiness level

      Your strengths and virtues

      Understanding personal character

      Defining virtues and strengths

      Gratitude

      Studying gratitude

      Counting your blessings

      Savoring pleasure

      Happiness and choice

      Flow: Becoming more engaged

      Matching your skill level

      Flow at work

      How to get in the flow

      SPECIAL BONUS SECTION: Mindfulness

      Self-compassion

      What is self-compassion?

      The benefits of self-compassion

      The meaningful life

      Do unto others

      When times are tough

      Positive psychology in psychotherapy

      Finding assistance

      Taking positive psychology beyond the individual

      Positive relationships

      Positive communities

      Resources

      Glossary

      Receive HEALTHbeat , Harvard Health Publications’ FREE e-mail newsletter

      Go to www.health.harvard.edu to subscribe to HEALTHbeat. This free, weekly e-mail newsletter brings you health tips, advice, and information on a wide range of topics.

      You can also join in discussion with experts from Harvard Health Publications and folks like you on a variety of health topics, medical news, and views by reading the Harvard Health Blog (www.health.harvard.edu/blog).

      Dear Reader,

      Human beings have always wanted to be happy. Even the U.S. Declaration of Independence lists the pursuit of happiness as among our inalienable rights. Unfortunately, our forefathers provided no guidance about how to actually find happiness—and we still often don’t know where to look.

      Today’s standard medical approach to mental health emphasizes treating mental disorders and helping troubled people feel less distressed. But for people without a diagnosable mental illness, psychiatry texts offer little guidance for living a happier, more satisfying life.

      The newer field of positive psychology offers an alternative. It has a broader definition of mental health: not just treating mental illness, but helping everyone to capitalize on their strengths, heighten their awareness, and develop the wisdom needed to live a more fulfilling life. The exciting news is that researchers are finding effective ways to help make this happen.

      This report explores both time-tested and modern avenues to happiness. Often, these paths lead to different places than you might expect. Instead of a new car, a prestigious honor, or an invitation to a celebrity party—things that bring an initial thrill that quickly fades—paths to more lasting satisfaction lie elsewhere.

      Some research results point in surprising new directions, while other findings echo advice heard from wise elders and religious teachers across cultures and centuries. As you embark on this process, enjoy the journey. Pursue happiness lightly, let it arise naturally, and don’t expect to find it once and for all. It turns out that happiness is cultivated through small choices made over a lifetime.

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