Flourish: A New Understanding of Happiness and Wellbeing: The practical guide to using positive psychology to make you happier and healthier

About the book

'This book will help you flourish.' With this unprecedented promise, internationally esteemed psychologist Martin Seligman begins 'Flourish', the first to present his dynamic new concept of what well-being really is. Traditionally, the goal of psychology has been to relieve human suffering, but the goal of the Positive Psychology movement is different - it's about actually raisin the bar for the human condition. 'Flourish' builds on Dr Seligman's game-changing work on optimism, motivation and character to show how to get the most out of life, unveiling an electrifying new theory of what makes a good life - for individuals, for communities and for nations. In a fascinating evolution of thought and practice, 'Flourish' refines what Positive Psychology is all about. While certainly a part of high well-being, happiness - which swings with mood and is easily but unsustainably attained through pleasurable but pointless activity - doesn't give life meaning. Seligman now asks, what is it that enables you to cultivat eyour talents, to build deep, lasting relationships with others, to feel pleasure, and to contribute meaningfully to the world? In a word, what is it that allows you to flourish? 'Well-being' takes the stage front and centre, and Happiness (or Positive Emotion) becomes one of the five pillars of Positive Psychology, along with Engagement, Relationships, Meaning and Accomplishment. Thought-provoking in its implications for education, economics, therapy, medicine and public policy - the very fabric of society - thsi book tells inspiring stories of Positive Psychology in action, including how the entire US Army is now trained in emotional resilience; how innovative schools can educate for fulfilment in life and not just for workplace success; and how corporations can improve performance at the same time as they raise employee well-being. 'Flourish' is a watershed in the understanding of well-being as well as a tool for getting the most out of life. On the cutting edge of a science that has changed millions of lives, Dr Seligman now creates the ultimate extension and capstone of his bestselling classic 'Authentic Happiness'.