Table 1:
Description of positive psychology exercises*
Targeted Construct | PP exercise | Description | |
---|---|---|---|
Session 1 | Gratitude | Gratitude for positive events | Participants recall and record three positive events that occurred within the last week. |
Session 2 | Expressing gratitude | Participants write a letter of gratitude to a person who has done something kind for them. | |
Session 3 | Integrating gratitude into daily life | Participants practice using a skill related to gratitude in order to integrate it into daily life. | |
Session 4 | Strengths | Recalling a past success | Participants recall a time when they were successful and write about their role in the success and the positive emotions associated with the success. |
Session 5 | Using personal strengths | Participants identify a personal strength and then use it in a new way over the next week. | |
Session 6 | Integrating strengths into daily life | Participants practice using strength-based skills in order to integrate them into daily life. | |
Session 7 | Meaning | Enjoyable and meaningful activities | Participants complete three activities: an enjoyable activity alone, an enjoyable activity with another person, and a meaningful activity. |
Session 8 | Performing acts of kindness | Participants complete three kinds acts, which go beyond what they might typically do for others. | |
Session 9 | Integrating meaning into daily life | Participants practice skills related to meaning in order to integrate them into daily life. | |
Session 10 | Planning for the future | Participants review their favorite activities and make a plan to perform them in daily life. |
Sessions were performed via weekly phone calls; therefore, sessions also represent the number of weeks the participant has been engaged in the intervention.