Posts tagged with 'wellbeing'
Three good books: “Positivity”, “The Compassionate Mind” & “The Spirit Level”
3rd May 2009
Here are three good, recently published books that are all highly relevant to the fields of stress, health & wellbeing. "Positivity" by Barbara Fredrickson (see below) is subtitled, a little breathlessly - "Groundbreaking research reveals how to embrace the hidden strength of positive emotions, overcome negativity, and thrive." Actually Professor …
Handouts & questionnaires for self-determination theory (SDT), an upgrade
23rd February 2009
I'm a big fan of self-determination theory (SDT). I've posted before on SDT. See, for example, the September post from last year with its links to a lecture I've given and to a number of handouts. See too Wellbeing, time management & self-determination in the website's Good Knowledge handouts section. …
Recent research: five papers on feeling good & improved functioning, on meaning & wellbeing, and on happy memories,
12th February 2009
I seem to be making a habit this month of focusing on a specific journal when posting the weekly report on interesting recent research. Last week it was the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology . This week it's the Journal of Positive Psychology . To quote the Journal's website: …
Friendship, life planning, & expressing emotions
11th January 2009
Yesterday and today are a check-in time with my friend Larry. I've written in a previous blog post how Larry and I have met every three or four months for many years specifically to review how our lives are going and to plan and prioritize our goals for the next …
New Year’s resolution – would you like to be happier?
28th December 2008
So here's a blast from the past ... that could be fun and useful for a New Year's resolution. I first came across Michael Fordyce's research year's ago (Fordyce 1977; Fordyce 1983). It was probably the first serious scientific exploration of how to help people become happier that I'd ever …
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 …
Handouts & questionnaires for wellbeing and calming skills
13th October 2008
I continue to slowly add handouts & questionnaires to the relevant area in the website's "Good Knowledge" section. Here are a some that I use largely in the territory of wellbeing, mindfulness and relaxation. Some are assessment and monitoring questionnaires. Some provide orientating information. Some describe specific exercises to do. …
Handouts & questionnaires for assessing & building good relationship networks
8th September 2008
Relationships are crucial. They are crucial in promoting resilience to stress, and they are crucial in enhancing wellbeing and happiness. Research suggests that all three of social support, social integration and (inversely) social conflict contribute to self-esteem and health. The relationship questionnaire & scoring provides a helpful way of assessing …
Goal setting and wellbeing
7th September 2008
It has seemed likely for some time that skilful goal setting boosts wellbeing. A couple of small recent research studies from the Department of Psychology at Royal Holloway, University of London reinforce this understanding (MacLeod, Coates et al. 2008). Wellbeing was assessed by an often used conglomerate measure which adds …
Self-determination theory
6th September 2008
I'm a big fan of Self-Determination Theory (SDT). SDT is a general theory of motivation and personality that has evolved over the past three decades. SDT suggests that humans, like plants or other animals, intrinsically 'strive' for need satisfaction & flourishing. Social context and personal choices can support or thwart …