From Cocoon to Hurricane: The Butterfly Effect of Positive Emotions

Content courtesy of Jason Jackson, Executive Director, Fairfax County Reston YMCA

“He is the most powerful who has power over himself.” – Seneca

Remember these benefits of Positive Psychology.

Positive psychology is the scientific study of what makes life most worth living. It is a young field, only emerging as its discipline in the late 1990s. But it has profoundly impacted our understanding of what creates happiness and how to intervene best when people are struggling.

One of the most critical insights to come out of positive psychology is that happiness does not lie solely in some future event that we are chasing. Instead, it is about savoring the joys of the present moment and creating meaning and fulfillment in our daily lives. This simple shift in thinking has significant implications for how we live and relate to others.

Positive psychology has several benefits for individuals, relationships, and organizations. Here are just a few of the ways that positive psychology can make a difference in your life:

Stronger personal relationships.
Positive psychology can help you build healthier and more fulfilling relationships with your family, friends, and romantic partners. By learning to savor the good moments and manage conflict constructively, you can deepen your connections with others and create more satisfying and resilient relationships.

A healthier body.
Positive psychology interventions boost immunity, reduce stress, lower blood pressure, improve cardiovascular health, and increase longevity. Focusing on what makes you feel good physically, mentally, and emotionally will allow you to take charge of your health and well-being.

Greater success at work.
Positive psychology can help you become more engaged, productive, creative, and successful in your career. Finding meaning and satisfaction in your work will increase your likelihood of achieving your goals and reaching your full potential professionally.

A stronger sense of self-confidence and vitality.
Positive psychology interventions increase self-esteem, self-compassion, self-efficacy, optimism, hope, and vitality. By developing a more positive view of yourself and your place in the world, you can increase your confidence and a sense of purpose in life.

The Snowball Effect
Positive emotions beget positive emotions.
One of the most intriguing findings from Positive Psychology research is that positive emotions tend to lead to more positive emotions in a kind of "upward spiral" (Lyubomirsky et al., 2005).

In other words, the happier or satisfied you feel today, the happier or more satisfied you are likely to feel tomorrow—and the next day—and so on into the future! This "positivity feedback loop" is one of the reasons why it is so important to focus on building our "positive emotional core" (Gable & Haidt, 2005). When we do so repeatedly over time, we set ourselves up for a lifetime of happiness advantages—what Martin Seligman (2002) calls "the high road to happiness."

The contagious butterfly effect—positive emotions spread from person to person like ripples in a pond. Just as negative feelings like anxiety or anger can be contagious (e .g., if someone at work is having a bad day, it can set off a chain reaction of negative emotions throughout the office ), so too can positive emotions. Research has shown that when one person experiences a positive emotion, it increases the likelihood that those around them will also experience positivity (e .g., if you see someone smiling, it makes you more likely to smile as well ). This finding has important implications for our personal relationships and professional networks: by building positivity within ourselves, we can intentionally and significantly improve the emotional climate around us for others.

Whether you are looking to improve your relationships or professional success, much evidence suggests that focusing on what makes life worth living can help you achieve greater happiness overall!
Changing your mindset takes time — just like anything else worth doing — but it will come if done systematically! So, take small steps each day towards increasing positivity in your life starting today!

Remember, Positive emotions beget positive emotions!