Positive Education is ingrained in the fabric of our College through a culture of kindness and robust wellbeing initiatives, backed up by scientific evidence. We will all gain from developing skills in a variety of areas, including resilience, expressing gratitude, friendship building, mindsets, strengths awareness and experiencing positive emotions.
I have been lucky enough to have been present at a number of National Positive Education conferences, and met some incredible researchers in the process. One I found particularly interesting was Dr Sonja Lyubomirsky, Professor of Psychology at The University of California, who has conducted scientific studies into what she describes as “The How, What and Why of Happiness.” Lyubomirsky defines happiness as “Experience of frequent positive emotions and a sense that one’s life is good” and her work is particularly relevant, given the strong evidence which suggests that happy people:
- are more productive, creative and financially successful at work;
- demonstrate greater resilience when dealing with stress and trauma;
- have stronger immune systems, are physically healthier and even live longer;
- are more likely to have fulfilling marriages and friendships and;
- are more effective leaders and negotiators.
The big question is what can we do to lift our level of happiness? Listed below are 12 tips from Lyubomirsky and her fellow researchers.
1. Do more activities that truly engage you.
Researchers call this experiencing ‘flow’. When did you last ‘lose yourself’ in an area of passion? For some it might be gardening, for others cycling or completing a jigsaw.
2. Savour life’s joys.
Replay a good day by talking about it with your family or a friend, or writing (or drawing) about it.
3. Learn to forgive.
Bearing a grudge is a burden on you. Let go of anger and resentment towards someone who has hurt you.
4. Engage in acts of kindness.
It feels good to be kind, and both the giver and receiver experience positive emotions. This is great role-modelling for your children too, and kind people are more likely to experience reciprocal friendships.
5. Nurture relationships.
Invest time and energy into cultivating, healing, affirming and enjoying relationships. One way to strengthen relationships could be to join our fabulous Parent and Friends’ group!
6. Cultivate optimism
Consider keeping a journal in which you visualise, plan and write about the best possible future for yourself.
7. Avoid over-thinking situations and comparing yourself to others.
Try not to dwell on your problems, nor engage in unhealthy self-talk. A strategy might be to ask yourself, “What would I say to a friend who is thinking like that?” Chances are you would advise them to chill out. Apply that advice to yourself as well.
8. Develop strategies for coping.
Learning to view mishaps as set-backs, from which through effort and time you can recover, is a good place to start.
9. Count your blessings.
You would have heard your children talk about the gratitude journals they write in and talk about at school. Consider doing the same yourself. I write down the good things about my day before I leave work each night and at Investigator we begin every staff meeting with “What Went Wells” and votes of gratitude. I am delighted to hear that many Investigator College families are doing the same.
10. Strengthen your spiritual connections.
Research shows that religious and/or spiritual people are happier than those who neglect this area. This year we have appointed an Anglican Chaplain (Edwina Bruce) for the first time and the number of services has increased.
11. Commit to your goals.
Set yourself some meaningful goals (not too many) and devote some time to working to achieve these. Celebrate your successes along the way and when your goal is finally achieved.
12. Take care of your body.
This could mean exercise (and joining the growing number of people aiming for 10,000 steps per day), but this could also mean engaging in mindfulness practices, having regular medical check-ups, smiling, laughing, getting plenty of sleep and eating healthy food. Our staff members are encouraged to partake in walking meetings so don’t be surprised to see some of us walking around local streets!
Another key aspect of Positive Education is our special relationship with animals, in addition to our focus on sustainability.
If you are happy and you know it take a bow. You are a terrific role model and I thank you for contributing to the authentic positivity that exists at Investigator College.
