Posts tagged with 'positive emotions'
Barbara Fredrickson’s recent research study on loving-kindness meditation (first post)
7th December 2008
I've just been reading the recent paper by Barbara Fredrickson and colleagues "Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources" (Fredrickson, Cohn et al. 2008). It's quite a long read - 16 closely printed A4 pages - and it's fascinating in a whole …
Four aspects of helpful inner focus: 2.) nourishing positive states (part A)
29th October 2008
Ten days ago, on this blog, I wrote about "Reducing negative states" as one aspect of a simple model entitled "Four aspects of helpful inner focus" (see below). The model is a method I've evolved to help me organize and think about the many facets of deliberately induced altered states …
Recent research: four happiness studies on traditional advice, health benefits, and the particular value of safety & contentment
16th October 2008
It seemed time to post on recent research involving happiness and wellbeing. Here are four studies from the current issues of the Journal of Happiness Studies (the September edition is open access with all full articles freely viewable) and the Journal of Positive Psychology. Ad Bergsma discusses advice on how …
Recent research: adolescent depression, overweight, antidepressants in pregnancy, and recovery from stroke
2nd July 2008
Norquist, G., T. G. McGuire, et al. (2008). "Cost-Effectiveness of Depression Treatment for Adolescents." Am J Psychiatry 165(5): 549-552. [Free Full Text] Thoughtful (and freely accessible full text) editorial discussing the cost-effectiveness of pharmacological and psychological treatments for adolescents suffering from depression. Unfortunately different research studies suggest different conclusions, and …
Savouring, mindfulness & flow
9th April 2008
In a post on 27 January I wrote about "savouring" - the appreciation of positive experiences. Savouring is, as it's name suggests, a sort of running the positive experience around in one's mouth, really tasting, valuing and enjoying it - a bit like slow, careful appreciation of a good wine. …
Some interesting articles from January ‘08
2nd February 2008
Here are details and links for a couple of dozen January articles that I found interesting. Most of these articles (and many others) are also listed on my searchable online Connotea database. Adam, J. G., R. Rick, et al. (2008). "A Randomized Controlled Trial of D-Cycloserine Enhancement of Exposure Therapy …
Both negative & positive emotions can be functional or dysfunctional
30th January 2008
Unpleasant, negative emotions can be highly functional. For example, anxious hypervigilance in a dangerous situation can keep me on my toes, very aware of potential threats and more able to react rapidly and appropriately. Healthy anger when I am being taken advantage of can help me respond strongly and assertively …
Sonja Lyubomirsky and "The How of Happiness"
5th January 2008
The postman delivered piles of post-holiday letters and parcels yesterday. In amongst the late Christmas presents and even a late Christmas card, was a book I had ordered called “The How of Happiness” by Sonja Lyubomirsky. I spent half an hour browsing through it in the evening. It looks good. …