(1 minute read)
It seems the pursuit of happiness is one that we’ve been striving for since the dawn of time. Yet the concept of happiness is often hard to clarify or define.
The PERMA model revolutionised the psychology world when it was introduced in 2012. It immediately became a cornerstone of positive psychology, shifting psychology’s focus from fixing people’s faults to helping people flourish.
Happiness and optimism are now known to be essential precursors to success and fulfilment. PERMA, sometimes called the “human dashboard,” is a proven framework for improving people’s subjective wellbeing by focusing on five life dimensions.
The PERMA model, developed by Martin Seligman, outlines five core elements of well-being: Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment.
Positive Emotion (P):
Cultivating and experiencing positive emotions like joy, gratitude, and hope.
Engagement (E):
Being fully immersed and absorbed in activities, finding flow and enjoyment in what you do.
Relationships (R):
Nurturing and maintaining meaningful connections with others, feeling loved, supported, and valued.
Meaning (M):
Finding purpose and a sense of significance in life, contributing to something larger than oneself.
Accomplishment (A):
Experiencing a sense of mastery and achievement, setting goals and striving for success.
How to Build on these 5 Elements of Wellbeing
- Positive Emotion: Spend time with people you care about; Reflect on things you are grateful for.
- Engagement: Spend time in activities that you love; Practise living in the moment.
- Relationships: Create friendships from existing acquaintances; Re-connect with people you have been out of touch with.
- Meaning: Get involved in a cause or organisation that matters to you; Try new and creative activities to immerse yourself in.
- Accomplishments: Set goals; Reflect on successes; Find creative ways to celebrate achievements.