Rx: A Dose of Positivity Mary Steinhardt The University of Texas at Austin
We all know negativity… Unchecked negativity breeds health-damaging negative emotions – unproductive anger, contempt, depression. What about positivity?
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”
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 0 1 2 3 4 ___ 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?
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
The Tipping Point Resilience Diminished “Flourishing” >3 Positivity can tip our life from “floundering” to “flourishing.” Diminished (stuck in a rut) “Floundering” < 3
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
> 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.
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