Hello all! I hope you have been doing great! I have not taken the time to post on this blog for a while now, and since I would like to become more active, I would like to briefly call to mind a central model of well-being in positive psychology. This is none other than Marty Seligman’s PERMA model of well-being. I have written on this in the past, but it is well worth revisiting both for its relevance and its practicality in helping people live fulfilling lives!
Positive psychology is the scientific study of well-being and the ways in which individuals can cultivate happiness and fulfillment in their lives. One influential model in this field is the PERMA model, which is an acronym for five key components of well-being: Positive emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment.
Positive emotion refers to the presence of positive feelings such as joy, gratitude, and contentment. Engagement refers to the experience of flow, or being completely absorbed in an activity. Relationships refer to the connections we have with others, including family, friends, and romantic partners. Meaning refers to a sense of purpose and significance in life, and Accomplishment refers to a sense of progress and achievement.
Research has shown that focusing on these five components can lead to increased well-being and happiness. For example, engaging in activities that bring us joy and fulfillment, such as hobbies or exercise, can increase positive emotions. Cultivating strong, supportive relationships can enhance our sense of belonging and security. Pursuing goals that align with our values and bring us a sense of accomplishment can provide us with a sense of purpose and meaning in life.
Overall, the PERMA model provides a useful framework for understanding the key components of well-being and happiness. By focusing on cultivating positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment, individuals can take concrete steps to improve their well-being and lead happier, more fulfilling lives. I hope to discuss more positive psychology in later posts, but I thought this would be a great place to start in getting back to posting helpful content for you all!
I would love to hear in the comments what you guys think about this model! Have you heard of it before? Has calling it to mind been helpful to you? If you haven’t heard of it before, could you see this being helpful in your daily lives? Let me know what you think! As always, I hope you all have been doing well!
References:
Seligman, M. E. P. (2011). Flourish: A visionary new understanding of happiness and well-being. Free Press.
Positively Psychological 