1. Rx: A Dose of Positivity
Mary Steinhardt
The University of Texas at Austin

2. We all know negativity…
Unchecked negativity breeds health-damaging negative emotions – unproductive anger, contempt, depression.
What about positivity?

3. Resilience (recovery) “Flourishing”
Stressful Situations
Thriving (growth)
“STEP UP”
Resilience (recovery)
“BOUNCE UP”
“Flourishing”
Homeostasis
(protective factors)
(sustainability)
Disruption
(overwhelmed)
Diminished (stuck in a rut)
“PUT UP”
“Floundering”
Succumb
“GIVE UP”

4. Not at all A little bit Moderately Quite a bit Extremely 0 1 2 3 4
Please think back to how you felt yesterday. Indicate the greatest amount that you’ve experienced each of the following feelings:
Not at all A little bit Moderately Quite a bit Extremely
___ What is the most grateful, appreciative, or thankful you felt?
___ What is the most angry, irritated, or annoyed you felt?
___ What is the most inspired, uplifted, or elevated you felt?
___ What is the most stressed, nervous, or overwhelmed you felt?
___ What is the most joyful, glad, or happy you felt?
___ What is the most sad, downhearted, or unhappy you felt?
___ What is the most hopeful, optimistic, or encouraged you felt?
___ What is the most ashamed, humiliated, or disgraced you felt?

5. Six Facts About Positivity
Positivity feels good
Positivity changes how your mind works
Positivity transforms your future
Positivity puts the brakes on negativity
Positivity obeys a “Tipping Point”
You can increase your positivity

6. The Tipping Point Resilience Diminished “Flourishing” >3
Positivity can tip our life from “floundering” to “flourishing.”
Diminished
(stuck in a rut)
“Floundering”
< 3

7. Resilience (recovery)
Stressful Situations
Thriving (growth)
>4
FLOURISHING
Resilience (recovery)
3.0 to 3.9
FOCUSED, FLEXIBLE, FLOWING
Homeostasis
(protective factors)
(sustainability)
Disruption
(overwhelmed)
Diminished (stuck in a rut)
1 to 2.9
FLOUNDERING
Succumb
<1
FAILURE

8. > 4 THRIVING (growth) flourishing RESILIENCE (recovery) focused,
flexible,
flowing
>3 (tipping point)
Diminished
(stuck in a rut)
floundering
< 3
Succumb
(depressive symptoms)
failure
< 1
Positive emotions fuel resilience and undo or down-regulate the negative effects of stress.

9. Tipping Point: 3 to 1 > 4 THRIVING (growth) flourishing
What about negativity?
RESILIENCE (recovery)
focused,
flexible,
flowing
>3 (tipping point)
Diminished
(stuck in a rut)
floundering
< 3
Succumb
(depressive symptoms)
failure
< 1