Positive Emotions PERMA

Panning for Gold Ask students ‘What Went Well’ in the previous week. Did any students bring in an artefact of a positive experience. Share a personal positive experience.

Feeding the Homeless https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYitAzsJczg A feel good story. Don’t have to be involved in an experience to gain the benefits from a positive experience. We have no connection to this little girl but it makes us feel good. Our brain experiences the same emotions as if we were actually there and our bodies get health benefits from it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYitAzsJczg

Negative Emotions Negative Emotions are important Suppressing negative emotions makes them stronger We can not be happy all the time. It is how we deal with negative emotions that is important. Can you think of a way we can deal with negative emotions? Emotions are like seasons, they come and go, it is important to roll with them or we will get swept up in them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtTUsOKjWyQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jd0hEF3XOfs Negative Emotions

Positive Emotions build physical and mental resources Optimism Social connection Reducing stress hormones. Being involved in positive experiences is good for our mind and body. We get positive mental and physical health benefits from positive emotions. Social connection, lower blood pressure, reduced risk of heart attack, better coping skills. Recognising positive experiences in other people has the same effect on our brains and body. How do you feel watching this video? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_Lax4zFFoA Positive Emotions

The Negativity Bias Evolutionary Response We are biased to correcting mistakes, rather than focusing on ‘what went well’ We remember failure more than success Analyse bad events/performance more than bad https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GAxyzG7AEc Evolutionary adaptation. If cavemen didn’t not recognise that Lions and dinosaurs were dangerous we would not have lasted long. We easily remember bad events, near misses when crossing road, our brain remembers these really well. Our brains main function is to keep us alive but sometimes can work overtime and only look out for the negatives. As humans we must overcome this by looking out for positive emotions/experiences and celebrating them. In the video what do you think the guy remembers most from the day? It is healthy to remember bad events but have to be careful they don’t take over. The Negativity Bias

What do you see? Most people see a black dot. Not many people see the beautiful green background which takes up the most space.

What are the top 10 Positive Emotions? Ask student to list what they think are the top 10 emotions. Write them on the board and see which ones they get.

10 Most Common Positive Emotions Fredrickson (2009) Serenity Inspiration Interest Awe Hope Joy Pride Gratitude Amusement LOVE 10 Most Common Positive Emotions Fredrickson (2009) Most groups do not get interest and inspiration. It is important we broaden what we see as something positive. If it is not negative, it is probably positive.

Throughout the day we will experience positive and negative emotions, it is how we deal with them that is important. Emotional Balance

We cannot be happy all the time We cannot be happy all the time. It is what we do when we are faced with a negative experience that is important. Emotional Balance

Increasing Positive Emotions Broadening what ‘counts’ as a positive emotion Perceived neutral emotions Build on positive emotional experiences Being mindful of positive emotions If an experience is not negative it is probably positive. Even within a boring or negative experience we can look for the positive with in it, such as watching your football team lose. Recognising and celebrating positive emotions cultivates more positive emotions. Being mindful or in the present helps us recognise when things are good. When we are off in the future or thinking about the past it is often with worry or guilt. Increasing Positive Emotions

Optical Illusions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBx08UYn4VU Your eyes do not ‘see’ it is your brain that is telling what you are looking at. Sometimes our brains can be fooled or things can look different from another perspective. Optical Illusions

Individual and Group Activities Emotional Balance Experiencing Positive Emotions Building Positive Emotions Individual and Group Activities Share a positive experience with a friend. Think of a negative experience but try and find the positive within it.

Debrief – Building Positivity Savoring life experiences Knowing and investing in your passions Nurturing relationships through positive experiences Be Grateful Live mindfully Use your strengths for positive experiences Debrief – Building Positivity

Leaves on a Stream https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klIuuQCzmv4 Mindfulness meditation. Eyes open or closed. Leaves on a Stream