Historically and culturally, Positive Psychology took a giant leap forward this summer with two complementary international conferences held in China on Positive Behavioral Science and Positive Education. These events aimed at promoting mental health, happiness, …

Delegates from more than 50 countries joined forces at the inaugural Exercise is Medicine™ World Congress with two goals: Unite with others across borders to build a healthier world and globalize Exercise is Medicine™ as a positive movement. The goal is to make exercise the most widely prescribed drug in the world!

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin gave a keynote speech at the Exercise is Medicine™ conference. In charge of 6500 uniformed health officers, Dr. Benjamin is an advocate for prevention in health care, and told the audience “People need our help!”

How can we help people experience more gratitude and build cross-generational ties that enrich their lives? The Joyful Blessing Day design has emerged from monthly events at the Neptune Senior Center, where the “Feeling Great” dance-fitness class members are joined by high school students in an intergenerational workout followed by lunch. The Joyful Blessing Day approach combines music, savoring, and positive conversations across generations.

The Positive Psychology and Leadership Conference was held March 19, 2010 at George Mason University. Meaningful change needs leadership, and each of us can make a positive difference, no matter what our position. That’s called leadership with a small “l”.

For a 25th strength, I propose a meta-strength built on global awareness that I call Enlightened Action. This new strength can be aligned among or above the six virtues of wisdom, courage, humanity, temperance, and …

Practicing positivity, building love, and increasing well-being are particularly beneficial in the contexts of sustainability, social responsibility, the body-mind-spirit connection, positive health promotion, educating the whole person, and celebrating strengths. This message was conveyed …

By Elaine O’Brien
Selected quotations from The 4th European Conference of Positive Psychology (ECPP) on July 1-4 in Croatia:

Ray Fowler at the IPPA Executive Board Meeting said, “Put kids into exercise programs and they learn to …

Elaine O’Brien, MAPP ‘08, is a professional Dance-Exercise/Health trainer, consultant and speaker. Elaine is presenting “Physical Activity, Leadership, and Thriving” at the First International Positive Psychology Conference in China and at Tsinghua University, Beijing in …