Positivity and Openness – Barbara Frederickson

In a recent interview for the International Positive Psychology Association Barbara Frederickson author of the new book Positivity offered some “nuggets” from her research.

• Positive emotions literally expand the scope of your vision, allowing you to see both the forest and the trees.
• When people feel positive emotions, things that divide people – including racial differences – melt away.
• If you increase your daily diet of positive emotions today, you can be better off next season, mentally, psychologically, socially, even physically.
• Just as negativity sparks downward spirals that can lead to misery, clinical depression and illness, positivity sparks upward spirals that open people’s minds, build their resources for handling life’s demands, and promote health.
• Even though positive emotions are often far milder than negative emotions, they are the key to rebounding from adversity.
• Flourishing is distinct from mere happiness – it entails not only feeling good, but also doing good, adding value to those around you.
• A ratio of positivity to negativity of 3 to 1 is the tipping point that predicts whether or not people flourish.

It seems to me that the combination of positivity and mindful learning might be just what we need in today’s difficult times.