Headspace Studios.

Hello.

Hello, it's Sam here, and welcome back to Radio Headspace.

Today I want to talk to you about a field that has

fascinated me for many years, positive psychology. Positive psychology is a subfield of psychology,

and it focuses on the art and science of thriving. So think about it as the difference between just getting through your day, surviving,

versus having a day full of purpose, meaning, and presence.

Mindfulness is a subject often studied within positive psychology,

as are factors that lead to a high quality of life.

So Martin Seligman is one of the founders of the field of positive that lead to a high quality of life.

So Martin Seligman is one of the founders of the field of positive psychology,

and he's outlined five core aspects that contribute to well-being.

They're captured in an acronym he created called Perma,

positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment.

So let's break this down. Positive emotions are all about paying attention to the good things in life. We can think about cultivating positive emotions by reflecting on the past with gratitude and forgiveness,

looking forward to the future with optimism and savoring the present moment through mindfulness.

Engagement is all about feeling connected to a task, one that makes you feel fulfilled.

So for example, maybe it's something small like trying a new recipe, or something big like completing a project for a job that you love.

Next is nurturing relationships, and we can do this in many ways that increase our well-being.

We can start by sharing what we appreciate

about people in our lives and performing acts of kindness, like texting a friend you haven't seen

in a while, or even mailing them a physical letter. We can also remember to be fully present when

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