PERMA Model of Happiness

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While happiness is an important part of a person's well-being, it falls in its own category of human emotion. The pursuit of happiness is a common, fundamental goal for most people. It’s hard to accomplish, strive, and flourish without this basic, human need. G. Martin Seligman, an influential pioneer in the study of Positive Psychology, created a framework to help guide people in this pursuit, commonly known as P.E.R.M.A. (Positive emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishments) (Pascha, 2020).

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Positivity

Positive emotion and the practice of positivity is the most obvious trait when thinking about happiness. Being optimistic has proven to be both personally constructive and strengthening to relationships and careers. Not only does positive emotion better the daily tasks of life, but it promotes happiness in the future through perseverance (Pascha, 2020).

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Engagement

When human beings engage in activities by themselves or with each other, the brain releases a flood of hormones and neurotransmitters, the body’s chemical messengers (Pascha, 2020). Engaging has proven to enhance a person's skills, intelligence, and emotions. What is engaging to one person may not be engaging to another. Whether it be our careers, family, hobbies, etc, we all seek those life enjoyments that make the time fly by, bring us joy, and broaden our perspective of the world around us.

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Relationships

The way people connect with each other gives the world meaning and energy. Western ideas of individualism, capitalism, and self-confidence imply that people of our society seek happiness on a singular level (Pascha, 2020). This is not necessarily a healthy practice. People need people to survive and flourish. We are innately created to socialize and form strong interpersonal relationships (Pascha, 2020). Love, intimacy and physical connections are also a part of life's necessary construct. We turn to those closest to us during difficult times and the simple idea of their existence has proven to give people personal resilience (Pascha, 2020).

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Meaning

At some point in everyone's life we ask ourselves why are we here and what is the meaning of life? What gives a person meaning in life is very different for each person. For some it is family, for others it is their career; but every person is important, has meaning, and is relevant in this world. Whether you are volunteering at a homeless shelter or in the emergency room saving lives, the works we do every day give us meaning and provide an empowering personal freedom (Pascha, 2020). Dr Itai Ivtzan, a prominent leader in positive psychology education and research, has emphasized the importance of meaning through self-awareness on his website Awareness is Freedom (https://www.awarenessisfreedom.com/dr-itai-ivtzan/). Not until a person realizes their own self-worth and position in the world, can they truly find the meaning that ultimately fulfills life's overall well-being (Ivtan, 2015).

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Accomplishments

Self-worth and pride are not always a bad thing. Ambition and realistic goal setting are powerful mechanisms for personal growth and overall well-being. Pushing ourselves to succeed helps a person flourish, motivates others, and makes the world a better place overall. The fulfilling act of accomplishing life's tasks, large or small, brings a sense of satisfaction that has a long-lasting positive effects.

References

Ivtan, I. (2015). Awareness is freedom. Retrieved from https://www.awarenessisfreedom.com/dr-itai-ivtzan/

Pascha, M. (2020). The PERMA model: you scientific theory of happiness. Retrieved from https://positivepsychology.com/perma-model/