Integrated Well-being: Positive Psychology and the Natural World

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Penn collection
Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) Capstones
Degree type
Discipline
Subject
well-being
nature
environment
systems thinking
ecology
happiness
environmental movement
positive psychology
sustainability
Community Psychology
Other Psychology
Personality and Social Contexts
Place and Environment
Social Psychology
Sustainability
Funder
Grant number
License
Copyright date
Distributor
Related resources
Contributor
Abstract

In the web of life, we are all interconnected. This connectivity extends beyond the human domain and towards systems much larger than ourselves—the whole of the Earth’s species. As this paper illustrates, this connectivity with non-human life is innate, and deepening that connection to nature has positive influences on our well-being and optimal functioning, above and beyond the mere utilitarian value that our environment affords. Whether looking at nature through a window or being fully immersed, wild spaces are good for our mental and physical health, our likelihood to engage in ecological behaviors, and our personal and community resiliency and well-being. Initiatives that recognize the importance of wild spaces also build powerful, positive, sustainable communities. When positive psychology notions of well-being are more systems-based and nature-inclusive, we get a deeper and more holistic understanding of our own psychology. We are also better prepared for a world in which all of life—humans today and future generations, as well as plants, animals, and planetary processes—can flourish regeneratively. From an examination of the individual to a reflection of our interdependence with the whole of the world, positive psychology has the potential to unmask a complete picture of all it means to be alive and thriving.

Advisor
Date Range for Data Collection (Start Date)
Date Range for Data Collection (End Date)
Digital Object Identifier
Series name and number
Publication date
2012-01-01
Volume number
Issue number
Publisher
Publisher DOI
Journal Issue
Comments
Recommended citation
Collection