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Ellen Langer's Mindfulness: A Path To Happiness

1518 Words7 Pages

Mindfulness: A Path to Happiness

The aim of positive psychology is not simply to treat mental illness in individuals and communities but to allow them to thrive (International Positive Psychology Association, 2009 cited in Compton & Hoffman, 2012). One way in which positive psychology has cultivated happiness in individuals and communities is through mindfulness. “Mindfulness is paying attention to ones ongoing experience in a way that allows openness and flexibility. It is being fully present and aware during our daily activities” (Compton & Hoffman, 2012). There are two different types of mindfulness which have been used to improve well-being these are Ellen Langer’s approach and the buddhist approach. Ellen Langer’s approach centres on …show more content…

The meta-analysis included 20 studies which met the inclusion criteria for this meta-analysis. Studies included clinical populations with a variety of diagnoses including cancer, depression, eating disorders, chronic pain. The studies included controlled and observational studies. Study findings indicated that “the consistent and relatively strong level across very different types of sample indicate that mindfulness training might enhance general features of coping with distress and disability in everyday life, as well as under more extraordinary conditions of serious disorders or stress” (2004, …show more content…

It has also presented studies on the footprint of mindfulness and how mindfulness can facilitate self-acceptance, a key component of happiness. Considering this variety of ways in which mindfulness has been used to improve the well-being of study participants, this essay proposes that mindfulness could be used to cultivate happiness for everyone. However a worldwide intervention is not exactly realistic, instead two places mindfulness interventions could be introduced are schools and workplaces. Using the intervention model of the Black S & Fernando R study detailed previously given its results and the results of similar studies which they have cited, an intervention could be designed for schools. However to prevent this interfering with the curriculum and the possibly differing views of parents on its importance it could be piloted first as an extracurricular activity. In workplaces perhaps mindfulness interventions based around self-acceptance and acceptance of others would benefit workers more. These interventions could be introduced through optional lunch time

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Happiness is achieved when people live through reality. Every day, people are forced to make decisions about how much information they want to take in and know. Sometimes, they may choose to remain ignorant; they choose not to discover. When individuals stop to think and predict an outcome, rather than the thing they are actually doing, they can become distracted from their present happiness. Living in the moment should not require a person to have to think and evaluate a situation before making any moves, it should be a free-flowing act of life.

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817 Words | 4 Pages

Exploring Mindful Sociological Mindfulness: A Personal Journey by Luis Contreras I am usually not actively engaged with various social issues, except for those related to racial injustices and the challenges faced by employees during and after the Covid-19 pandemic, as they directly affected the people around me. However, I strive to remain aware of the social issues that occur daily, although it can be challenging to keep up with all of them. Recently, I became aware of the issue of gender inequality in the workplace through my fiancé's experience during her raise period at her job in the Phoenix Police Department.

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845 Words | 4 Pages

Self Help groups could fall into this category as well. It may also be intended towards those that feel like mindfulness is a cure to mental health ailments. My thesis statement: Joiner wants to shed light on the alternate side of mindfulness. A darker trend in today's society.

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2090 Words | 9 Pages

The world’s most prestigious universities are beginning to experience an overflow of students up to classes like Harvard’s Tal Ben Shahar who teaches the “school’s most popular course, PSY 1504, Positive Psychology, which focuses on the psychological aspects of a fulfilling and flourishing life.” These courses are not only being learned in the classrooms of a few selective prestigious universities but they are being offered to the masses. Through growing websites like Coursera, world-class university courses are being offered to the world. UC Berkley’s The Science of Happiness is set to obtain over 100,000 online students. Designed by the world’s leading positive psychologists, “including Paul Ekman, a leader in the study of emotions, and Jon Kabat-Zinn, the psychologist most associated with the concept of mindfulness” , courses like these are teaching the world the most effective and scientifically backed methods to obtain success and fulfillment.

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728 Words | 3 Pages

In now days, many people do not know what does the word “happiness” means or feels, some people may think it is when they are in a good mood or when something happens and they feel very good about it. Aristotle said: "Every man has a right to be happy because happiness lies in the leisure spirit.” To get there people must have pass through a bad time or situation because happiness is where there is virtue and true effort, because life is not a game. Being honest, I had never seen happiness from a point of view as clear as Aristotle did. Happiness is a subject that has preoccupied man since its inception, and in the same way, to philosophy.

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2181 Words | 9 Pages

Kazantzis et al. (2010) stated that this therapy technique is thought to address underlying processes that occur in multiple disorders. MBCT may influence emotional and evaluative dimensions that underlie aspects of a person’s general well-being. This is done through the combination of mindfulness meditation, yoga, and education regarding the mind-body relationship, which helps increase a person’s awareness of their disorder and leads to increased health and well-being of patients with a wide array of disorders. Kabat-Zin emphasizes that “the simple act of recognizing your thoughts as thoughts can free you from the distorted reality they often create and allow for more clear-sightedness and a greater sense of manageability in your life” (Kazantzis, et al., 2010, in

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916 Words | 4 Pages

Experimental studies have proven the mindfulness influences psychological regulation and awareness. Mindfulness dates back to ancient times all over the world. Mindfulness practices in a variety of forms can be used to cultivate well-being for an individual’s life. Now, science is confirming many of these benefits. Modern studies have shown the improvement of certain brain areas that overall control emotional regulation and all types of processing control.

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Happiness is something that each person has spent an amount of time in their life searching for, though it is unlikely that even the happiest people will be cheerful all the time. Positive psychologists have a goal to increase overall happiness in everyone, yet that is a difficult task when happiness is a very subjective emotion, it means something different to many people. The definition of happiness can even differ depending on culture, “ In North America One other goal for positive psychology is for psychologists to put as much effort into nurturing happiness rather than focusing solely on reducing feeling of unhappiness. “The emergence of ‘positive psychology,’ whose proponents urge fellow researchers to study happiness as seriously as they did pathological states such as depression.” (Begley 455)

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771 Words | 4 Pages

Individuals have multiple ways to pursue happiness such as letting go of extreme ways of relating to your happiness, reflecting on the activities that give you joy, and scheduling them into your upcoming week. Those that are lost and confused, and running from their past may look for new ideas, or a new stable way of living. Throughout this journey many may renew their sense of faith with the actions of others.

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215 Words | 1 Pages

From a global perspective, positive psychology centers on the positive aspects of human development. It is a fact that as a human grows and matures, the person faces the same challenges that every developing human encounters. However, although there are many who are at the point in their lives where their efforts and labors are recognized, the recognition often does not support the person (Seligman, 2009). The author suggests that every human should place him or her on the path to the “good life.” This does not necessarily mean wealth or intangible assets but rather inner happiness and peace (p. 45).

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495 Words | 2 Pages

Teasdale et al., 1995). Empirical research supports the role of mindfulness in wellbeing. Mindfulness has been associated with lower negative affect, higher positive affect, higher levels of vitality, and self-actualization (Brown & Ryan., 2003; Carlson & Brown, 2005, cited in Brown, Ryan, & Creswell, 2007).

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1224 Words | 5 Pages

thought loves to paste things over our experience, to load us down with concepts and ideas, to immerse us in a churning vortex of plans and worries, fears and fantasies. When mindful, we don't play that game. We just notice exactly what arises in the mind, and then we notice the next thing. "Ah, this... and this... and now this. " It is really very simple.

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571 Words | 3 Pages

A reoccurring question that society has contemplated for several generations is, “How can I pursue happiness?” As many words have multiple meanings, happiness is one of these; it is not exclusively an emotion, but also a spiritual state. Some confusion may arise towards the definition of happiness. The answer is, interestingly, quite simple; one cannot attempt to find happiness, but rather they must work towards attaining it. The article, “In Pursuit of Unhappiness gives a slightly different perspective on this.

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1859 Words | 8 Pages

Over the course of this winter quarter, I have learned in my class of Psychology of Wellness how to incorporate mindfulness into my daily life. The definition of mindfulness is considered an art. In the book of the Fully Present, the authors Susan Smalley and Diana Winston transmitted their wisdom on how to learn, practice and cultivate this art. According to the mentioned authors, they defined mindfulness as “the art of observing your physical, emotional, and mental experiences with deliberate, open, and curious attention” (2010, p.78). This definition shared by the authors is simple, but it communicates what are the characteristics that an individual needs to consider when it comes to being mindful.

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763 Words | 4 Pages

As we learn and practice mindfulness, we will become more aware, and others around us are likely to find us as helpful, patient, open-hearted, non-judgmental and compassionate human being. Being more mindful and aware will ultimately help us to live and enjoy our life to the full! Need we desire more? Mindfulness today, is one of the most talked about developments in human psychology, and innumerable researches are being undertaken across the globe to understand its positive effects and implications.

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