It is important to know how to improve your level of vitality for several reasons.  In Positive Psychology, it is one of the five (out of 24) Signature Strengths that correlates strongly with satisfaction with life, happiness, and well-being.  In addition, it tends to be contagious in group settings.  People feel drawn to others that have a sense of aliveness.

In general, you feel energetic when you have good physical health and when there are few psychological conflicts and tensions in your life. 

It is important to decrease fear and anxiety for vitality to be present.  Poor physical health and high levels of stress tend to use up your energy supply quickly because they can cause worry.  There are some exceptions to this.  For instance, some individuals who have no fear about a health problem may still have a high energy level.

Vitality is personal; people pursue it differently.  When you express your true nature genuinely, positively, and in the present, you feel energized. 

Vitality indicates optimal human functioning.  It is directly influenced by meeting basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness.  It is not impulsiveness, anger, or nervous, tense energy from over-arousal or caffeine.  Factors that contribute to higher levels of vitality/aliveness are:

·        Having a sense of personal mastery and control.

·        Being happy.

·        Having low depression and anxiety symptoms.

·        Having good health practices, i.e. diet, exercise, not smoking, using stress reduction techniques appropriately.

·        Getting a good night’s sleep.

·        Having a sense of personal worth; seeing yourself as worthwhile and capable.

·        Enjoying supportive relationships and intimacy.

In my next blog post, I will give additional ways to increase your vitality.

Action Step:  Consider the 7 factors above that contribute to Vitality.  Which ones are are true for you?  Choose one that is not true, and list several steps you will take to improve that factor.  Practice those steps for the next 30 days.  Then think about another factor you can improve.

To your success,

Maurine

1. Gratitude
2. Optimism
3. Zest
4. Curiosity
5. Love

Do you have these five strengths in your top ten strengths?  If you do not know your strengths, you can find out what they are by taking the Values in Action (VIA) Inventory on www.authentichappiness.org. 

The best news is that if these strengths are not high for you, you can increase them.  For instance, to increase:

1.    Gratitude - count your blessings by writing down three things you are grateful for or appreciate stating “why”.  Do this several times a week.  Be sure to do it when you are having a tough day.

2.    Optimism - practice “savoring” the joys of life instead of “stewing” on problems.  When you have a problem, be specific about who or what is involved, and stay in the present.  Stop generalizing about problems or projecting them into the future.

3.    Zest - do something that you already do but with more energy, or include some creative or different ways of doing it.  Notice an increase in energy when you are savoring even momentary pleasures.

4.    Curiosity - get more information about something you are interested in; ask questions; be open to new ideas.

5.    Love - spend time and energy with family and friends.  Strong personal relationships bring a high level of satisfaction with life.

In summary, the key to increasing your fulfillment with life is to look for novelty and opportunities to challenge yourself in each of the above strengths.  Working with a coach is a way to practice improving one or more of these strengths while keeping your stress at a level that is helpful to you.  Coaching helps hold you accountable while giving support.

Action step:  Using some of these five strengths, how can you find opportunities for novelty and challenge that will increase your level of fulfillment?

Maurine