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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?. Stressful Situations. Thriving (growth) “STEP UP ”.
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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?
Stressful Situations Thriving (growth) “STEP UP” Resilience (recovery) “BOUNCE UP” “Flourishing” (sustainability) Homeostasis (protective factors) Disruption (overwhelmed) Diminished (stuck in a rut) “PUT UP” “Floundering” Succumb “GIVE UP”
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 “Flourishing” >3 Positivity can tip our life from “floundering” to “flourishing.” Diminished (stuck in a rut) “Floundering” < 3
Thriving (growth) >4 FLOURISHING Stressful Situations Resilience (recovery) 3.0 to 3.9 FOCUSED, FLEXIBLE, FLOWING (sustainability) Homeostasis (protective factors) Disruption (overwhelmed) Diminished (stuck in a rut) 1 to 2.9 FLOUNDERING Succumb <1 FAILURE
THRIVING (growth) flourishing > 4 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.
THRIVING (growth) flourishing > 4 Tipping Point: 3 to 1 What about negativity? RESILIENCE (recovery) focused, flexible, flowing >3 (tipping point) Diminished (stuck in a rut) floundering < 3 Succumb (depressive symptoms) failure < 1