FYI: Research on Happiness includes Counting Blessings

Last updated on: April 1, 2009 at 10:10 pm by Natasha Helfer

FYI: Research on Happiness includes Counting Blessings 2009-04-01T22:10:00-05:00 Natasha Helfer

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I love it when I find research that corroborates gospel teachings. These are quotes I’m taking from an article called Strengths of Character and the Family by Nansook Park, PhD and Christopher Peterson, PhD published in Family Therapy Magazine (Nov-Dec 2006 issue).

“Time and again, we find that the strengths that matter most in producing fulfillment are what we call strengths of the heart, positive traits that connect us to other people, such as kindness, love and gratitude, as opposed to strengths of the mind such as self-regulation, perseverance and prudence that are stressed in Western philosophy and the contemporary education system (Peterson, 2006.) Psychology has very few findings that can be conveyed without qualification, but here is one of them: No one is happy without good relationships with friends and family members (Diener & Seligman, 2002). Other people matter.”

“Strengths of character like bravery, humor, kindness, spirituality and appreciation of beauty are associated with successful recovery from physical illness, psychological disorder, and the effects of trauma (Peterson, Park, & Seligman, 2006).”

“Certain facts have come to light about good character. Although all strengths of character contribute to fulfillment… certain positive traits are more robustly associated with fulfillment than others (Park, Peterson, & Seligman, 2004). These strengths of character are gratitude, hope, zest, curiosity, and perhaps most importantly, love, defined as the ability to sustain reciprocated close relationships with other people. We have discovered that these five traits are robustly associated with well-being among youth as well as adults. Even among children as young as three years of age, those described as zestful, hopeful, and loving were also described by their parents as happy (Park & Peterson, (2006a).”

“Another part of our research has been the demonstration that certain strengths of character can be increased with lasting effects on well-being (Seligman, Steen, Park, & Peterson, 2005). Two such interventions are: counting your blessings and using your strengths in novel ways. Each is readily importable to the family.
Years ago, Irving Berlin urged us to count our blessings instead of sheep. Not only will a good night’s sleep result, but so too will happiness. Research shows that people who end each day by identifying three good things that happened to them become less depressed and happier as a result. These effects last for months. Several research participants told us they counted their blessings at the end of the day out loud to their spouses, who did the same. Those things for which they were most grateful often entailed the other person and the family. They went to sleep happy and grateful, perhaps reminded of why they married in the first place. Those who have gone to bed angry, next to a spouse who feels the same, know that this is not the route to a good life.”

“Individuals who identify their signature strengths are asked to use these strengths in novel ways. For example, someone whose signature strengths include curiosity or love of learning might join a book club that focuses on nonfiction. People who find new ways to do what they already do well become less depressed and happier as a result. “

“Everyone has strengths. They need to be recognized and celebrated.”

“No one this side of Hollywood ever said that happiness was easy. Lasting happiness results form hard work.”

“We would like to note that focusing on strengths does not mean denying or ignoring weaknesses in any way. We eventually have to deal with problems. However, identifying strengths in the family and strengthening them may be a good way to any intervention.”

“Healthy families are those where instances of celebration outnumber muted or negative responses to good news (Gable, Ries, Impett, & Asher, 2004). Families that thrive are families in which the members possess strengths of character and in particular those that bind people to one another.”

Uncategorized

Previous Post

April 1, 2009

Using "A Parent's Guide": A Commentary

Next Post

April 2, 2009 What should I do? My husband is homosexual - part 2.

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Abortion Abuse Addiction Adolescents Anger Anxiety BDSM Bipolar Disorder Body Image Boundaries Children Circumcision Civil Rights Consent COVID19-Coronavirus Death Depression Divorce Domestic Violence Emotional Abuse Erectile Dysfunction Faith Crisis/Faith Transition Gender Identity Gender Roles Gospel Teachings Grief Homosexuality Infidelity LGBTQ LGBTQ+ Male Issues Marriage Masturbation Menopause Mental Health Mindfulness Miscarriage Missions Mixed-Faith Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Parenting Perfectionism Physical Abuse Physical Health Pornography Premature Ejaculation PTSD Race Relations Relationships Rest Righteousness Self Care Self Injury Self-Esteem Sexual Abuse Sexual Disorders Sexual Education Sexuality Single Adults Social Media Spirituality Suicide Survey Temple Issues Transgender Health Trauma Uncategorized Violence Women's Issues Word of Wisdom

Select a Month September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 December 2018 November 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 March 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 July 2015 February 2015 January 2015 November 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 April 2014 February 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 May 2012 April 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

According to Hebrews, for what purpose did Jesus taste death?

Select your answer to see how you score.

For the righteous For his disciples For everyone For Israel