What is flourishing?
Flourishing is feeling good about a life in which you are functioning well. Sometimes called thriving, it is a state of emotional, psychological and social well-being that is more than the absence of disease or illness. Flourishing is a continuing process, and the steps are unique for each individual. However, there are certain categories of behaviors that have been shown to help increase flourishing.
How can I flourish?
- Do Good: Share a kind word, notice someone else, volunteer, pay it forward.
- Practice Gratitude: Write down 3 good things from your day, send a thank you note or email to someone.
- Practice Calm: Try meditation, or yoga, or guided imagery.
- Engage in Spiritual and Cultural Activities: Find your source of hope and meaning.
- Sleep: Create healthy sleep routines. Prioritize sleep to help meet other goals.
- Exercise and Nutrition: Move every day. Fuel your body with nourishing food.
- Mobilize: Join others to shape your community. Advocate.
- Journal: Write about your day to help make meaning of events.
- Enjoy Nature: Take a walk in the arb. Notice the stars at night. Go for a bike ride along the Cannon River.
- Identify Strengths: Use tools like Values in Action or Strengthsfinder. Notice strengths in others, too.
What are the benefits of flourishing?
There are many benefits of flourishing! Flourishing individuals:
- Engage more curiously
- Learn from difficult situations
- Exercise more self control
- Connect to something greater than themselves
Where can I learn more?
Dr. Corey Keyes, Winship Distinguised Research Professor in Sociology at Emory University, visited Carleton for an LTC lunch presentation on January 12, 2017. A pioneer of positive psychology, Dr. Keyes has dedicated his career to studying what makes life worth living. See a list of Dr. Keyes’ publications.