2.9013.....This number may be the key to your happiness.
The concept that I want to explore is The Positivty Ratio, which is discussed in Barbara Fredrickson's book, Positivity. It is a very simple idea that we can be mindful of as we go about our day, yet it can have a significant impact on our lives.
The Positivity Ratio is the ratio of positive emotions you feel to the number of negative emotions that you feel. Research has shown that people with a ratio of 2.9013 (we'll call it 3 from now on) or higher, "flourish" in life, relationships and work, whereas those who have a ratio of 3 or less "flounder".
Lets take a deeper look at the Positivity Ratio (PR), why it's important and what we can do about ours.
The concept that I want to explore is The Positivty Ratio, which is discussed in Barbara Fredrickson's book, Positivity. It is a very simple idea that we can be mindful of as we go about our day, yet it can have a significant impact on our lives.
The Positivity Ratio is the ratio of positive emotions you feel to the number of negative emotions that you feel. Research has shown that people with a ratio of 2.9013 (we'll call it 3 from now on) or higher, "flourish" in life, relationships and work, whereas those who have a ratio of 3 or less "flounder".
Lets take a deeper look at the Positivity Ratio (PR), why it's important and what we can do about ours.
Why your PR affects you and your life?
"If you feel good, you will do good."
Your emotions affect your state, your mindset, the mood you are in and your thinking. All of these will influence how you perceive everything that happens to you in life. Having a PR above 3:1 will most likely result in positive life experiences. Consistently being at a ratio of 1:1 or lower puts you in the danger zone of facing depression.
Why 3:1?
"Bad is stronger than good."
Due to a concept called negative bias we tend to remember and give more significance to negative things and the negative emotions that we feel in comparison to positive emotions. Because of that we need a higher number of positives for the balance to swing in our favor.
How to improve your Positivity Ratio?
To improve your PR you can increase the number of positive emotions you feel, lower the number of negative emotions you experience or both!
To increase positive emotions I strongly recommend practicing and expressing Gratitude. The best way to do that, in my opinion, is to write down 3 things that you are grateful for when you wake up every morning. Another way to increase your positive emotions is to use uplifting and motivational self-talk.
To lower negative emotions, I recommend disputing any negative thinking that may pollute your mind. Any time you catch yourself thinking about something, or even yourself, in a negative light combat it by disproving that negative statement to yourself. Another way to reduce the number of negative emotions you may feel is to practice mindfulness. Practicing mindfulness can be very beneficial, in regards to limiting negative emotions by severing the link from thoughts to emotions.
For more about the Positivity Ratio and for a more in-depth look at how to improve yours, and consequently the quality of your life, I suggest you read Positivity by Barbara Fredrickson which you can get here.
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