A more recent development in the cognitive field is “positive psychology,” which has sought to reorient the discipline away from mental problems to the study of what makes people happy, optimistic, and productive.

Third, you can increase the positive — whatever is enjoyable or beneficial — by creating, growing, or preserving it. You could breathe more quickly to lift your energy, remember times with friends that make you feel happy, have realistic and useful thoughts about a situation at work, or motivate yourself by imagining how good it will feel to eat healthy foods.

He formado parte del cisma en la psicología que se conoce como psicología positiva, un movimiento científico y profesional. En 1998, como presidente de la American Psychological Association (APA), apremié a la psicología a complementar su venerable meta con un nuevo objetivo: explorar lo que hace que la vida valga la pena y crear las condiciones habilitadoras de una vida digna de ser vivida. La meta de entender el bienestar y crear condiciones habilitadoras para la vida no es de ningún modo idéntica a la meta de entender el sufrimiento y deshacer las condiciones incapacitantes de la vida. En este momento, varios miles de personas en todo el mundo trabajan en este campo y se esfuerzan por promover estas metas.2 Este libro narra su historia, o por lo menos el lado público de esta historia.

The takeaway lesson from positive psychology is that positive mental health is not just the absence of mental illness.

Positivity is a way of thinking,and happiness is a lifestyle. In other words, it is not what you own or do that makes you happy; it is how you think about things.

when you are experiencing positive emotions like joy, contentment, and love, you will see more possibilities in your life.”7

Good things happen in your life when you surround yourself with positive people.

I used to think that the topic of positive psychology was happiness, that the gold standard for measuring happiness was life satisfaction, and that the goal of positive psychology was to increase life satisfaction. I now think that the topic of positive psychology is well-being, that the gold standard for measuring well-being is flourishing, and that the goal of positive psychology is to increase flourishing. This theory, which I call well-being theory, is very different from authentic happiness theory, and the difference requires explanation.

when you are experiencing positive emotions like joy, contentment, and love, you will see more possibilities in your life.

positive way are also elements of self-love, to become the best – and happiest – person you can be.

people who have some control over their emotions report greater life satisfaction, optimism, purpose, and better relationships with others.

the three factors that seem to have the greatest influence on increasing our happiness are our ability to reframe our situation more positively, our ability to experience gratitude, and our choice to be kind and generous.

La positividad es una manera de pensar y la felicidad es un estilo de vida. Es decir, lo que te hace feliz no es aquello que posees ni aquello que haces, sino la percepción que tienes sobre las cosas.

If you’re happier, you’ll be healthier, and you’ll live longer too.