1. Positive Emotions
PERMA

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.
Negative Emotions

5. 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?
Positive Emotions

6. 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
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

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

8. 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.

9. 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.

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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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.

15. 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

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