The Importance of Positive Well-being: Understanding the PERMA Model

Well-being is much like the weather – it is a construct, and by its very nature, it changes. However, like the weather, there are ways to maintain an optimal level of well-being. Well-being theory is composed of five different elements coming together, with the centerpiece being Positive Psychology.

According to renowned well-being researcher, Martin Seligman, having a higher level of well-being correlates with performing at our best. The acronym PERMA, coined by Seligman, represents the five measurable elements of well-being. These are Positive Emotion, Engagement, Positive Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment.

1. Positive Emotion

Positive Emotion involves feelings such as happiness and life satisfaction. Feeling good includes experiencing moments of pleasure, gratitude, love, joy, comfort, warmth, ecstasy, curiosity, inspiration, and rapture, among other emotions. Positive emotions go beyond a simple smile, as it stimulates and engages our imagination, perseverance in handling challenges, and helps undo negative emotions. Cultivating positive emotions can also help us perform better at work and in our studies.

2. Engagement

Engagement refers to being completely in the zone, where time becomes irrelevant, and we lose self-consciousness. We often experience engagement when we are doing an activity we love or are skilled at. It is a state of flow, where we feel nothing else but enjoyment. Unlike positive emotion, there are no shortcuts to engagement, as it requires utilizing our signature strengths to meet our highest challenges. Identifying our signature strengths is critical, as they are unique to us and can provide a sense of accomplishment and well-being.

3. Positive Relationships

As social beings, positive relationships are crucial to our well-being. People who have positive relationships in their lives tend to be happier than those who do not. Positive relationships bring feelings of support, familiarity, and security, all of which are correlated with increased levels of well-being. Building positive relationships can also be done through social media, and it can enhance our well-being. Positive relationships are more critical for children as they tend to rely on their peers for approval and social connectedness, which is vital in their adolescent years.

4. Meaning

Belonging to and serving something bigger than ourselves gives us meaning. Politics, religion, and altruism are just a few examples of broader concepts one can pursue. Science has shown that an increase in material possessions or wealth does not result in lasting well-being. Having purpose in life increases our well-being as it gives us the motivation to live for something other than ourselves. Additionally, it promotes socializing, which can help alleviate depression. Love is an excellent example of meaning, where people can find a purpose in taking care of someone other than themselves.

5. Accomplishment

Having goals, no matter how big or small, and actively working towards accomplishing them are essential elements of well-being. Merely trying to attain our goals increases our life satisfaction. Moreover, children tend to follow their parents’ example, and acknowledging their accomplishments can help build resilience, self-esteem, and self-belief.

Conclusion

The PERMA model allows us to understand how positive emotions, engagement, positive relationships, meaning, and accomplishment contribute to a life worth living. These five measurable elements can help us maintain optimal levels of well-being and flourish. As we strive to improve our well-being, we can use the PERMA model to understand which elements we need to focus on, both for ourselves and our children. This model can help us understand well-being and happiness in a new light.