The document discusses positive psychology and factors related to happiness. It notes that rates of issues like divorce, teen suicide, crime, and depression have increased significantly from 1960 to 2000. Research shows that happiness is associated with benefits like better health, relationships, job performance, and longevity. Studies found that optimistic older adults had half the heart attack rates of less optimistic peers. The document advocates cultivating optimism, gratitude, and kindness to increase happiness and resilience.

1. Positive Psychology and Happiness

4. 1960 – 2000: • 2 X Divorce Rate • 3 X Teen Suicide • 4 X Reported Violent Crime • 5 X Prison Population. • 6 X Babies Born to Unmarried Parents. • 7 X Cohabitation (a predictor of future divorce). • 10 X Depression Myers, David G. (April 24, 2000) Wanting More in an Age of Plenty. Christianity Today Dr. David Myers Hope College

7. A dysfunctional person is one who has lost the capacity to give and receive love, and to love oneself.

10. Bio Social Psycho

11. The Six Dimensions of Happiness

14. Are Happy People Healthier? Do they really live longer?

16. “ God started my life off well by bestowing upon me grace of inestimable value... The past year which I spent as a candidate studying at Notre Dame has been a very happy one. Now I look forward with eager joy to receiving the Holy Habit of Our Lady and to a life of union with Love Divine.” Celia O’Payne “ I was born on September 26, 1909, the eldest of seven children, five girls and two boys... My candidate year was spent in the mother-house, teaching chemistry and second year Latin at Notre Dame Institute. With God’s grace, I intend to do my best for our Order, for the spread of religion and for my personal sanctification.” Marguerite Donnelly

20. Creativity & Intelligence

21. Harvard Professor Teresa Amabile has studied creativity for twenty years. Creative people are: Happier & likely to have a positive event the day before a creative breakthrough. She has shown that pressure, layoffs, and competition all reduce creativity. “Running scared” does NOT produce more creativity. A positive mood is a necessary precursor.

22. Optimists and Sales Martin Seligman found that among new Met Life agents: - Strong optimists outsold moderate optimists 21% the first year . . . 57% the second year . . . And the difference continues to grow!

25. Worrying is using your imagination to create something you do not want.

26. Organic Functional

27. Organic Functional

28. Can We Teach Happiness & Optimism?

29. Can we prevent depression in vulnerable children?

30. Adults: We can increase our happiness - Interventions Genetics ~ 50% Circumstances ~ 10% Under own control ~ 40% Lynbomirsky, S. (2008) The How of Happiness . New York: Penguin.

33. Don’t worry, be happy.