Bringing the Science of Happiness to Work: Insights from Positive Psychology

John Weaver, Psy.D.June 18, 2010

Productivity and Psychological Health

Two thirds of both men and women say that work has a significant

impact on their stress level, and one in four has called in sick or taken a

Mental Health Day as a result of work stress. (APA, 2004)

Workers who must take time off because of stress, anxiety, or a related disorder will be

off the job for about 21 days (US Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Depression results in more days of disability than chronic health conditions such as heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes (National Committee

for Quality Assurance, 2004).

80% to 90% of all industrial accidents

are likely related to personal problems

and employees’ inability to handle stress

Companies with higher revenue growth are better at

motivating employees and provide more

opportunities for growth and development.

Employee engagement levels in these high-

performing organizations are more than 20% higher

than those of their counterparts (Hewett Associates,

2004).

Positive Psychology at Work

Job Satisfaction research

Confused research results

When job satisfaction matters for the success of the business

Mirror Neurons in a Human

The brain is more like a muscle than we ever thought…

The real miracle is not to walk on water or thin air but to walk on the earth!

- Thich Nhat Hahn

by

John Weaver, Psy.D.Nancy Brady-Freitag, Ph.D.Kathie Koenig, LCSW, CEAPTerrill L. Bruett, Ed.D.Paul Kenneth Glass, Ph.D.Robert Verwert, Ph.D.

Trainer ManualOrder at www.preventingdepression.com

Selected Bibliography• Gilbert, D. (2006) Stumbling on Happiness. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

• Lambert, K. (2008). Lifting Depression. New York: Basic Books.

• Lyubomirsky, S. (2008) The How of Happiness. New York: Penguing

Press.

• Pert, C. & Marriott, N. (2006). Everything You Need to Feel Go(o)d.

Carlsbad, CA: Hay House.

• Prochaska, J., Norcross, J., & DiClemente. (1994). Changing for Good.

New York: Avon Books.

• Revich, K. & Shatte, A. (2002). The Resilience Factor. New York:

Broadway Books.

• Sapolsky, R. (1994). Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers. New York: W.H. Freeman and Company.

• Seigel, Z; Williams, J.M., & Teasdale, J. (2002). Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression. New York: Guilford Press.

• Seligman , M.E.P. (1991). Learned Optimism. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

John Weaver, Psy.D.

Director of the Healthy Thinking Initiative2717 North Grandview Boulevard, Suite 303Waukesha, Wisconsin 53188www.preventingdepression.com

(262) 544-6486jweaver@preventingdepression.com

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