Positive Psychology | Psychology Today

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class="block">       <article data-history-node-id="53862" role="article" class="basics-full"> <div class="content-header d-flex reference-header"> <div class="content-header--image"> <article> <img src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_75x75/public/2020-10/shutterstock_193092488.jpg?itok=-8YlZWni" width="75" height="75" alt="Vladimir Gjorgiev/Shutterstock" title="Vladimir Gjorgiev/Shutterstock" loading="lazy" /> </article> </div> <div class="content-header--text"> <h1 class="reference__title section-title">Positive Psychology</h1> <p class="reference__review-info fine-print"> <a href="/us/docs/editorial-process" class="reference__review-info-link"> <span class="reference__review-info-icon"></span> <span class="reference__review-info-text">Reviewed by Psychology Today Staff</span> </a> </p> </div> </div> <div> <div class="reference__body"> <div class="field-name-body"> <p>Positive psychology is a branch of psychology focused on the character strengths and behaviors that allow individuals to build a life of meaning and purpose—to move beyond surviving to flourishing. Theorists and researchers in the field have sought to identify the elements of a good life. They have also proposed and tested practices for improving life satisfaction and well-being.</p> </div> </div> <div class="table-of-contents border-top"> <h4 class="table-of-contents--title">Contents</h4> <ul> <li class="table-of-contents--item"> <a href="#positive-psychology-basics"> Positive Psychology Basics </a> </li> <li class="table-of-contents--item"> <a href="#applying-positive-psychology"> Applying Positive Psychology </a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="reference__sections"> <div> <div> <div class="section section--separator"> <div id="positive-psychology-basics" class="section-anchor skip-inline-link-filter"></div> <div class="h2 section-title"> The Basics of Positive Psychology </div> <div class="section__body"> <article> <img src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_180x180/public/2020-05/shutterstock_709235959_0.jpg?itok=rKzN03yu" width="180" height="180" alt="GaudiLab/Shutterstock" title="GaudiLab/Shutterstock" loading="lazy" /> </article> <p>Positive psychology emphasizes meaning and deep satisfaction, not just on fleeting <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/happiness" title="Psychology Today looks at happiness" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-US">happiness</a>. Martin Seligman, often regarded as the father of positive psychology, has described multiple visions of what it means to live happily, including the Pleasant Life (Hollywood’s view of happiness), the Good Life (focused on personal strengths and engagement), and the Meaningful Life. Positive psychologists have explored a range of experiences and behaviors involved in different versions of positive living, including specific positive emotions, "flow" states, and sense of meaning or purpose. </p> <p>Proponents of positive psychology have also sought to catalog character strengths and virtues. The 2004 book <em>Character Strengths and Virtues </em>proposed the categories of <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/wisdom" title="Psychology Today looks at Wisdom" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-US">Wisdom</a> and Knowledge, Courage, Humanity, Justice, Temperance, and Transcendence (including strengths such as <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/gratitude" title="Psychology Today looks at gratitude" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-US">gratitude</a>, hope, and <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/humor" title="Psychology Today looks at humor" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-US">humor</a>).</p> </div> <div class="faqs"> <div class="faq faq--1"> <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> <div class="faq--title d-flex"> <div itemprop="name" class="h3 faq--question"> How is positive psychology different from the rest of psychology? </div> <div class="faq--control-container"> <button class="faq--control"> <div class="faq--control-icon"> <svg width="13px" height="8px" viewBox="0 0 13 8" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">  <desc>Created with Sketch.</desc> <defs></defs> <g id="-small" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <g id="Tests---Listing-Page---SM" transform="translate(-490.000000, -597.000000)" fill="#2C2D30"> <g id="Left-col" transform="translate(74.000000, 162.000000)"> <g id="Table" transform="translate(0.000000, 426.000000)"> <polygon id="navigatedown" points="422.310547 16.3125 428.621094 10.0019531 427.62793 9 422.310547 14.3173828 416.993164 9 416 10.0019531"></polygon> </g> </g> </g> </g> </svg> </div> </button> </div> </div> <div itemscope="" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer" class="faq--answer"> <div itemprop="text"> <p>While there is plenty of overlap, positive psychology has been described as different from other areas of psychology due to its primary interest in <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-good-life/200805/what-is-positive-psychology-and-what-is-it-not">identifying and building mental assets</a>, as opposed to addressing weaknesses and problems. </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="faq faq--2"> <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> <div class="faq--title d-flex"> <div itemprop="name" class="h3 faq--question"> Who created positive psychology? </div> <div class="faq--control-container"> <button class="faq--control"> <div class="faq--control-icon"> <svg width="13px" height="8px" viewBox="0 0 13 8" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">  <desc>Created with Sketch.</desc> <defs></defs> <g id="-small" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <g id="Tests---Listing-Page---SM" transform="translate(-490.000000, -597.000000)" fill="#2C2D30"> <g id="Left-col" transform="translate(74.000000, 162.000000)"> <g id="Table" transform="translate(0.000000, 426.000000)"> <polygon id="navigatedown" points="422.310547 16.3125 428.621094 10.0019531 427.62793 9 422.310547 14.3173828 416.993164 9 416 10.0019531"></polygon> </g> </g> </g> </g> </svg> </div> </button> </div> </div> <div itemscope="" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer" class="faq--answer"> <div itemprop="text"> <p>Major proponents of positive psychology include psychologists Martin Seligman (who promoted the concept as president of the American Psychological Association in 1998), Christopher Peterson, and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. But many others have developed the subfield, and it <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/what-doesnt-kill-us/201412/humanistic-and-positive-psychology">echoes earlier work by humanistic psychologists</a> such as Abraham Maslow, who used the term “positive psychology” in the 1950s.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="faq faq--3 collapsed faq--last"> <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> <div class="faq--title d-flex"> <div itemprop="name" class="h3 faq--question"> What are the elements of a good life, according to positive psychology? </div> <div class="faq--control-container"> <button class="faq--control"> <div class="faq--control-icon"> <svg width="13px" height="8px" viewBox="0 0 13 8" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">  <desc>Created with Sketch.</desc> <defs></defs> <g id="-small" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <g id="Tests---Listing-Page---SM" transform="translate(-490.000000, -597.000000)" fill="#2C2D30"> <g id="Left-col" transform="translate(74.000000, 162.000000)"> <g id="Table" transform="translate(0.000000, 426.000000)"> <polygon id="navigatedown" points="422.310547 16.3125 428.621094 10.0019531 427.62793 9 422.310547 14.3173828 416.993164 9 416 10.0019531"></polygon> </g> </g> </g> </g> </svg> </div> </button> </div> </div> <div itemscope="" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer" class="faq--answer"> <div itemprop="text"> <p>Though there are many elements of well-being and fulfillment studied by positive psychologists, five are among Martin Seligman’s proposed <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/positive-prescription/201608/what-are-the-building-blocks-good-life">building blocks of well-being</a>, called the PERMA model: positive emotions, engagement (with a project, for instance), positive relationships, meaning, and accomplishment/achievement. (PERMA is <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/curious/201710/how-many-ways-can-we-measure-well-being">not the first</a> or only model of well-being.)</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="pt-ad pt-ad--300x250 d-block d-none d-md-block d-lg-none block" id="block-ad-subpage-300x250-programmatically-rendered"> <div class="pt-ad--container pt-ad-show-text"> <div class="pt-ad--text"> <span>article continues after advertisement</span> </div> <div id="div-gpt-ad-1404853927369-9" class="pt-ad--content"> <script type="text/javascript"> if (window.googletag && googletag.apiReady) { googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1404853927369-9'); }); } </script> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div class="section section--separator"> <div id="applying-positive-psychology" class="section-anchor skip-inline-link-filter"></div> <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> <div class="h2 section-title" itemprop="name"> How Is Positive Psychology Applied? </div> <div class="section__body" itemscope itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer"> <article> <img src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_180x180/public/2018-12/shutterstock_1114940525.jpg?itok=HQ6BK3M3" width="180" height="180" alt="mimagephotography/Shutterstock" title="mimagephotography/Shutterstock" loading="lazy" /> </article> <div itemprop="text"> <p>Identifying one’s character strengths (such as courage, humanity, or justice) is considered an important step on the road to the good and meaningful life envisioned by positive psychologists. There are also positive psychology practices one can try at home to promote well-being. For example, gratitude exercises have been studied by psychologists as a way to increase happiness over time. Just what the name sounds like, these involve such simple actions as writing down each day three things for which one is grateful.</p> <p>Although the focus of positive psychology is on happiness and fulfillment, it is important to understand that this does not mean people are advised to push away their negative emotions altogether. People who are flourishing make room in their lives for such inevitable states of mind.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="faqs"> <div class="faq faq--1"> <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> <div class="faq--title d-flex"> <div itemprop="name" class="h3 faq--question"> What are some of the benefits of positive psychology? </div> <div class="faq--control-container"> <button class="faq--control"> <div class="faq--control-icon"> <svg width="13px" height="8px" viewBox="0 0 13 8" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">  <desc>Created with Sketch.</desc> <defs></defs> <g id="-small" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <g id="Tests---Listing-Page---SM" transform="translate(-490.000000, -597.000000)" fill="#2C2D30"> <g id="Left-col" transform="translate(74.000000, 162.000000)"> <g id="Table" transform="translate(0.000000, 426.000000)"> <polygon id="navigatedown" points="422.310547 16.3125 428.621094 10.0019531 427.62793 9 422.310547 14.3173828 416.993164 9 416 10.0019531"></polygon> </g> </g> </g> </g> </svg> </div> </button> </div> </div> <div itemscope="" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer" class="faq--answer"> <div itemprop="text"> <p>Practices associated with positive psychology such as gratitude interventions can <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/social-instincts/201912/five-insights-gratitude">boost social and emotional well-being</a>, studies suggest. Positive psychology has also led to explorations of how developing certain character strengths, positive emotions like <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/awe" title="Psychology Today looks at awe" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-US">awe</a>, and other qualities, such as a sense of meaning and purpose in life, might contribute to positive life outcomes.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="faq faq--2"> <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> <div class="faq--title d-flex"> <div itemprop="name" class="h3 faq--question"> Why are meaning and purpose significant? </div> <div class="faq--control-container"> <button class="faq--control"> <div class="faq--control-icon"> <svg width="13px" height="8px" viewBox="0 0 13 8" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">  <desc>Created with Sketch.</desc> <defs></defs> <g id="-small" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <g id="Tests---Listing-Page---SM" transform="translate(-490.000000, -597.000000)" fill="#2C2D30"> <g id="Left-col" transform="translate(74.000000, 162.000000)"> <g id="Table" transform="translate(0.000000, 426.000000)"> <polygon id="navigatedown" points="422.310547 16.3125 428.621094 10.0019531 427.62793 9 422.310547 14.3173828 416.993164 9 416 10.0019531"></polygon> </g> </g> </g> </g> </svg> </div> </button> </div> </div> <div itemscope="" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer" class="faq--answer"> <div itemprop="text"> <p>Measures of meaning in life have been found to relate to other positive life outcomes. For example, <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/brain-waves/201901/the-power-purpose-and-meaning-in-life">research suggests</a> that older adults who consider their lives worthwhile tend to have better physical and mental health. Other studies suggest <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/human-flourishing/202001/what-brings-meaning-and-purpose-in-life">potential well-being benefits</a> of having a sense of purpose in life.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="faq faq--3 collapsed"> <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> <div class="faq--title d-flex"> <div itemprop="name" class="h3 faq--question"> What is flow? </div> <div class="faq--control-container"> <button class="faq--control"> <div class="faq--control-icon"> <svg width="13px" height="8px" viewBox="0 0 13 8" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">  <desc>Created with Sketch.</desc> <defs></defs> <g id="-small" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <g id="Tests---Listing-Page---SM" transform="translate(-490.000000, -597.000000)" fill="#2C2D30"> <g id="Left-col" transform="translate(74.000000, 162.000000)"> <g id="Table" transform="translate(0.000000, 426.000000)"> <polygon id="navigatedown" points="422.310547 16.3125 428.621094 10.0019531 427.62793 9 422.310547 14.3173828 416.993164 9 416 10.0019531"></polygon> </g> </g> </g> </g> </svg> </div> </button> </div> </div> <div itemscope="" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer" class="faq--answer"> <div itemprop="text"> <p><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/flow">“Flow”</a> is the term coined by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi to describe a rewarding state of immersion in an activity, such as when people create art or play a sport they are passionate about. It has been proposed by proponents of positive psychology as <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/between-cultures/201804/flow-and-other-secrets-happy-life">one factor that contributes</a> to a happy life.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="faq faq--4 collapsed faq--last"> <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> <div class="faq--title d-flex"> <div itemprop="name" class="h3 faq--question"> What are some criticisms of positive psychology? </div> <div class="faq--control-container"> <button class="faq--control"> <div class="faq--control-icon"> <svg width="13px" height="8px" viewBox="0 0 13 8" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">  <desc>Created with Sketch.</desc> <defs></defs> <g id="-small" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <g id="Tests---Listing-Page---SM" transform="translate(-490.000000, -597.000000)" fill="#2C2D30"> <g id="Left-col" transform="translate(74.000000, 162.000000)"> <g id="Table" transform="translate(0.000000, 426.000000)"> <polygon id="navigatedown" points="422.310547 16.3125 428.621094 10.0019531 427.62793 9 422.310547 14.3173828 416.993164 9 416 10.0019531"></polygon> </g> </g> </g> </g> </svg> </div> </button> </div> </div> <div itemscope="" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer" class="faq--answer"> <div itemprop="text"> <p>Among the critiques of positive psychology are that it has focused on positive experiences at the expense of <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/curious/201603/how-can-positive-psychology-be-more-open-the-negative">essential “negative” ones</a> and that certain concepts (such as <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/curious/201810/making-sense-character-strengths">character strengths</a>) may insufficiently well-defined or re-describe existing scientific concepts.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="js-view-dom-id-4543d228d6d7cac707c759c4001e8f7f3c68f9486fb05f6a8d4516fe0207967f"> <section class="basics--essential-reads"> <div class="h2 page-section-header">Essential Reads</div> <div class="teaser--card-inset-details--row"> <article class="teaser--card-inset-details blog_entry--teaser--card-inset-details" data-nid="5027239"> <div class="card-inset-details__image"> <a href="/us/blog/sense-of-belonging/202411/could-technology-be-your-next-positive-psychology-coach"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_3_2_600x400/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2024-11/andy-kelly-0E_vhMVqL9g-unsplash.jpg?itok=SIh5F6cz" width="600" height="400" alt="" title="Andy Kelly/Unsplash" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-inset-details__body"> <div class="card-inset-details__title"> <a href="/us/blog/sense-of-belonging/202411/could-technology-be-your-next-positive-psychology-coach" title="Could Technology Be Your Next Positive Psychology Coach?"> Could Technology Be Your Next Positive Psychology Coach? </a> </div> <div class="card-inset-details__teaser-text"> Jibo, a social robot, was designed to use positive psychology to help boost college students' well-being. Did it succeed? </div> </div> </article> <article class="teaser--card-inset-details blog_entry--teaser--card-inset-details" data-nid="5027415"> <div class="card-inset-details__image"> <a href="/us/blog/human-bureaucracy/202411/gratitude-finding-sweetness-in-the-bitterness"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_3_2_600x400/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2024-11/IMG_9131.jpg?itok=KmpExm3y" width="600" height="400" alt="" title="Alex Snider" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-inset-details__body"> <div class="card-inset-details__title"> <a href="/us/blog/human-bureaucracy/202411/gratitude-finding-sweetness-in-the-bitterness" title="Gratitude: Finding Sweetness in the Bitterness"> Gratitude: Finding Sweetness in the Bitterness </a> </div> <div class="card-inset-details__teaser-text"> Gratitude isn鈥檛 about waiting for life to be perfect. It鈥檚 about learning to see the good even, or perhaps especially, in hard times. </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="teaser--card-inset-details--row"> <article class="teaser--card-inset-details blog_entry--teaser--card-inset-details" data-nid="5026766"> <div class="card-inset-details__image"> <a href="/us/blog/human-bureaucracy/202411/uncertainty-requires-connection"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_3_2_600x400/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2024-11/photo-1496516348160-24b35a31856f%20%281%29.jpeg.jpg?itok=CBiheTVg" width="600" height="400" alt="" title="James Baldwin / Unsplash" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-inset-details__body"> <div class="card-inset-details__title"> <a href="/us/blog/human-bureaucracy/202411/uncertainty-requires-connection" title="Uncertainty Requires Connection"> Uncertainty Requires Connection </a> </div> <div class="card-inset-details__teaser-text"> Thomas Merton and Rebecca Solnit tell us that uncertain moments call for connection and shared purpose. </div> </div> </article> <article class="teaser--card-inset-details blog_entry--teaser--card-inset-details" data-nid="5026678"> <div class="card-inset-details__image"> <a href="/us/blog/common-wisdom-insights/202411/the-strength-of-kindness"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_3_2_600x400/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2024-11/pair-1853996_1280.jpg?itok=D8pmGWnW" width="600" height="400" alt="" title="Pexels / Pixabay" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-inset-details__body"> <div class="card-inset-details__title"> <a href="/us/blog/common-wisdom-insights/202411/the-strength-of-kindness" title="The Strength of Kindness"> The Strength of Kindness </a> </div> <div class="card-inset-details__teaser-text"> Learn 6 ways to build your kindness skills to connect with others. </div> </div> </article> </div> </section> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="js-view-dom-id-caed0a5097b2adabe1b0e657011dae6a1d87270da9e65a03ffa10137c2bc3ae7 layout-container--grid--content-main-additional basics--recent-posts"> <div class="layout-content-main"> <div class="teaser-listing-item"> <article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5027575"> <div class="teaser-lg--main"> <div class="teaser-lg__image"> <a href="/us/blog/happy-together/202411/the-surprising-physical-and-emotional-benefits-of-gratitude"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2024-11/pexels-belle-co-99483-1000445%281%29.jpg?itok=P-Quyz7o" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="Belle-Co/Pexels" /> </a> </div> <div class="teaser-lg__details"> <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> <a href="/us/blog/happy-together/202411/the-surprising-physical-and-emotional-benefits-of-gratitude" rel="bookmark">The Surprising Physical and Emotional Benefits of Gratitude </a> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> Want to reap the rich rewards of gratitude but don鈥檛 know where to start? Here are three steps you can start taking right away to enhance your well-being. </p> </div> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> Want to reap the rich rewards of gratitude but don鈥檛 know where to start? Here are three steps you can start taking right away to enhance your well-being. </p> </article> </div> <div class="teaser-listing-item"> <article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5027512"> <div class="teaser-lg--main"> <div class="teaser-lg__image"> <a href="/us/blog/midlife-reimagined/202411/finding-moral-courage"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2024-11/gabriel-bassino-zEawlLdVloo-unsplash.jpg?itok=ye-qXs3n" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="Gabriel Bassino / Unsplash" /> </a> </div> <div class="teaser-lg__details"> <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> <a href="/us/blog/midlife-reimagined/202411/finding-moral-courage" rel="bookmark">Finding Moral Courage</a> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> Given the right circumstances, we can all be that morally courageous person who steps up to do the right thing. </p> </div> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> Given the right circumstances, we can all be that morally courageous person who steps up to do the right thing. </p> </article> </div> <div class="teaser-listing-item"> <article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5027468"> <div class="teaser-lg--main"> <div class="teaser-lg__image"> <a href="/us/blog/going-beyond-intelligence/202411/youre-a-parent-thats-why-youre-stressed-out"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2024-11/hillshire-farm-unsplash.jpg?itok=GLkQE0Oh" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="Hillshire Farm/Unsplash" /> </a> </div> <div class="teaser-lg__details"> <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> <a href="/us/blog/going-beyond-intelligence/202411/youre-a-parent-thats-why-youre-stressed-out" rel="bookmark">You鈥檙e a Parent. That鈥檚 Why You鈥檙e Stressed Out.</a> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> We're in a stress epidemic, and according to the Surgeon General, parents are dangerously stressed. That only adds to kids' worries. Here are 7 ways to manage. </p> </div> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> We're in a stress epidemic, and according to the Surgeon General, parents are dangerously stressed. That only adds to kids' worries. Here are 7 ways to manage. </p> </article> </div> <div class="teaser-listing-item"> <article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5027433"> <div class="teaser-lg--main"> <div class="teaser-lg__image"> <a href="/us/blog/its-not-just-in-your-head/202411/the-mental-health-benefits-of-giving-thanks"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2024-11/shutterstock_2376308569.jpg?itok=7O9vdS-k" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="Drazen Zigic/Shutterstock" /> </a> </div> <div class="teaser-lg__details"> <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> <a href="/us/blog/its-not-just-in-your-head/202411/the-mental-health-benefits-of-giving-thanks" rel="bookmark">The Mental Health Benefits of Giving Thanks</a> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> Did you know that practicing gratitude positively affects your physical and mental health? </p> </div> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> Did you know that practicing gratitude positively affects your physical and mental health? </p> </article> </div> <div class="teaser-listing-item"> <article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5027397"> <div class="teaser-lg--main"> <div class="teaser-lg__image"> <a href="/us/blog/frazzlebrain/202411/easy-ways-to-generate-hope"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/field_blog_entry_images/2024-11/ron-smith-63tBU8et1YY-unsplash.jpg?itok=HvHzJicj" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="Photo by Ron Smith at Unsplash" /> </a> </div> <div class="teaser-lg__details"> <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> <a href="/us/blog/frazzlebrain/202411/easy-ways-to-generate-hope" rel="bookmark">Easy Ways to Generate Hope</a> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> Cynicism and pessimism are on the rise. Studies show that cultivating optimism and hopefulness can improve mental and physical health and strengthen resilience. </p> </div> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> Cynicism and pessimism are on the rise. 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