Science of Flourishing - Pt 1
The science of how to flourish! Part One
Did you know that there is an entire department of study at Harvard focused on Human Flourishing?
We were excited to look into this. Their goal is to bring empirical research to topics of human well-being, such as happiness, virtue, religious community, meaning and purpose. As topics that have traditionally been covered in the realm of humanities, it’s pretty cool so see other ways of looking at them!
Bringing the idea of flourishing to patient care and overall well-being reminds us that health is much more broad than physical health and test results that are “normal.” Health is also about being happy, finding meaning and purpose, having good quality and fulfilling relationships. This approach to health is attuned to our approach to naturopathic medicine - especially our focus on lifestyle pillars of eat, move, think, rest and connect. This is part of our effort to expand our focus beyond the physical symptoms you might be experiencing, and our treatment options beyond supplements, nutrition and movement.
what can we focus on to flourish?
There are actually a few simple, free and researched backed ways! We have outlined them below, alongside the measures of flourishing so you to can take advantage of them!
Gratitude
What is it?
Is the appreciation for what is going well in life, or what we are thankful for.
How do I practice it?
There are many different ways to practice gratitude. You can either spend time once per week to reflect upon 5 things you are grateful for - and write them down! - or you could reflect on three things per day and why they are meaningful, every day for a week.
How does it help me?
Research on both these methods have shown that they increase gratitude, better the way we feel about life as a whole, reduce physical symptom complaints, improve sleep, increase happiness, and reduce depressive symptoms. These effects seem to last even six months after just a one week trial. Pretty good bang for your buck!
Savouring
What is it?
Savouring is the capacity to appreciate and enhance our positive experiences in life. Strategies to incorporate it include thinking about positive events, recognizing what is good in the present situation, heightening one’s focus on - and awareness of - a present positive experience, and sharing or celebrating something good.
How do I practice it?
The research has studied that a 20 minute walk each day, for one week, where you notice as many positive things around yourself as possible, can be a good way of increase savouring.
How does it help me?
Savouring has the wonderful impact of increasing happiness and life satisfaction, as well as serving as a form of mindfulness!
Imagining your best possible self
What is it?
An exercise that helps you think about your life in the future, and what your best possible life could look like. This could be with respect to family, romantic partners, goals, character, friends, career, health and hobbies.
How do I practice it?
Consider writing or reflecting on the following prompt:
“Think about your life in the future. Imagine that everything has gone as well as it possibly could. You have worked hard and succeeded at accomplishing all of your life goals. Think of this as the realization of all of your life dreams. Now, write about what you imagined “
How does it help me?
Research indicates that this exercise has a positive effect on one’s happiness, life satisfaction, optimism and overall health!
These are three activities to reflect on to improve outlook, happiness and encourage more flourishing in your life. Stay tuned for the next post where we dive into more activities, behaviours, and aspects of your life that can help you flourish even more!