Positive psychology is a relatively new branch of psychology that seeks to understand positive emotions such as joy, happiness and contentment.

Psychologist Martin Seligman is largely credited with starting the field when he became president of the American Psychological Society in 1998. His book Authentic Happiness – Using the New Positive Psychology to realize your potential for lasting fulfillment, is a great introduction to the field that is primarily concerned with studying health rather than distress.

He has also done some great work on helping people to identify and use their character strengths. Take his strength test on his website – over 1.5 million people have now completed it! (There is a link to his book and website in the resources section)

Positive psychology is interested in the conditions that allow individuals, groups and organizations to flourish and to live well.

The key interest is on what works and how we can apply this knowledge to our life.

Researchers examine questions such as:

• How to increase our experience of happiness
• The importance of optimism and what we focus on
• The role of exercise and meditation in happiness
• The importance of appreciation and gratitude
• The importance of managing our energy
• The factors that determine ones happiness set point
• What works in healthy functioning love relationships
• Why journaling and talking help us manage difficulty
• The importance of positive relationship connection
• The importance of rituals in changing our actions

Positive psychology is concerned with focusing on people’s strengths and capacity and empowering them to make changes that improve their ability to successfully experience their life and to thrive.

I have great enthusiasm for sharing my knowledge about positive psychology with you in my seminars and workshops and the knowledge and attitudes I have developed has greatly enhanced my life, relationships and work.