People who feel fulfilled with their life are more likely to do well at work, be less stressed, and have fewer sick days and psychological or social problems.

During the last five years, there has been increasing evidence supporting the association of happiness/fulfillment with life and being able to use your strengths.  In addition, there is definitive information which tells us which strengths are necessary and the ingredients the brain needs to experience fulfillment.

Do you have these key strengths and ingredients?

First you need to know what the brain needs. 

 Gregory Berns a neuroscientist and psychiatrist at Emory University, believes the feeling of satisfaction is necessary to feel fulfilled in life.  In his book, Satisfaction: the Science of Finding True Fulfillment, he concludes that fulfillment requires two important ingredients that nature has designed our brains to crave: novelty and challenge. 

Novelty in life releases the neurotransmitter dopamine which is associated with feelings of happiness and well-being.

 Stress which is associated with a challenge releases the hormone cortisol.  In high levels, cortisone is damaging to our body mentally and physically.  However, in smaller amounts, it can elevate mood, increase concentration and improve memory making you more effective.

 When these two chemicals (dopamine and cortisol) interact, the stage is set for strong feelings of fulfillment. 

Second, research by doctors Nansook Park, Christopher Peterson and Martin Seligman have found that there are five key signature/character strengths which are closely and consistently related to life satisfaction:

1. Gratitude – being aware of and thankful for the good things that happen; taking time to express thanks.
2. Optimism – expecting the best in the future and working to achieve it; believing that a good future is something that can be brought about.
3. Zest – approaching life with excitement and energy; living life as an adventure; feeling alive and active; not doing things halfway or halfheartedly.
4. Curiosity – taking an interest in an ongoing experience for its own sake; finding subjects and topics fascinating; exploring and discovering.
5. Love – valuing close relationships, in particular those in which sharing and caring are reciprocated; being close to people.

Action Step:  Discover whether or not these 5 strengths are in your top ten Signature Strengths.

Go to http://www.authentichappiness.org and take the VIA (Values in Action) Signature Strengths Inventory.  There is no charge.  You will have to sign in and set up a password.  It takes about 40 to 50 minutes to complete the inventory.  The inventory assesses a total of 24 strengths.

In my next post, I will give you some ways you can increase these 5 strengths if they are not in your top 10 Signature Strengths.

 Maurine