It encompasses more than just physical and mental well-being it can also include socioeconomic factors. Quality of life is how well you are living and functioning in life. Positive psychologists seek to encourage acceptance of one's past, excitement and optimism about one's future, and a sense of contentment and well-being in the present. The goal is to minimize pathological thoughts that may arise in a hopeless mindset and to develop a sense of optimism toward life. Those who practice positive psychology attempt psychological interventions that foster positive attitudes toward one's subjective experiences, individual traits, and life events. Ī basic premise of positive psychology is that human actions arise from our anticipations about the future these anticipations are informed by our past experiences. Seligman identifies other possible goals of positive psychology: families and schools that allow children to grow, workplaces that aim for satisfaction and high productivity, and teaching others about positive psychology. Seligman proposes that a person can best promote their well-being by nurturing their character strengths. talents, interests, strengths of character), positive relationships, and positive institutions and how these apply to physical health. Positive psychology aims to complement and extend traditional problem-focused psychology. A 'good life' is defined by psychologists and philosophers as consisting of authentic expression of self, a sense of well-being, and active engagement in life. Positive psychology concerns eudaimonia, a word that means human thriving or flourishing. Happiness may rise with increasing income, though it may plateau or even fall when no further gains are made or after a certain cut-off amount.

Spiritual practice and religious commitment is another possible source for increased well-being. Positive psychologists suggest a number of factors that may contribute to happiness and subjective well-being, for example: social ties with a spouse, family, friends, colleagues, and wider networks membership in clubs or social organizations physical exercise and the practice of meditation. Positive psychologists study empirically the conditions and processes that contribute to flourishing, subjective well-being, and happiness, often using these terms interchangeably. Positive psychology largely relies on concepts from the Western philosophical tradition, such as the Aristotelian concept of eudaimonia, which is typically rendered in English with the terms 'flourishing', 'the good life' or 'happiness'. It builds on the humanistic movement of Abraham Maslow, Rollo May, and Carl Rogers, which encourages an emphasis on happiness, well-being, and positivity. It is a reaction against past practices which tended to focus on mental illness and which emphasized maladaptive behavior and negative thinking. Positive psychology began as a new domain of psychology in 1998 when Martin Seligman chose it as the theme for his term as president of the American Psychological Association.

It studies 'positive subjective experience, positive individual traits, and positive institutions.

Positive psychology studies the conditions that contribute to the optimal functioning of people, groups, and institutions.

Thinking positive thoughts synonym