Positive Psychology Coach Pam Garramone on How to Be Happier

“Research shows that if you take one of your top five strengths and use it in a new way every day for seven days, it’s been shown to lift depression for up to six months.”

— Pam Garramone

I’m so happy to bring you my discussion with Pam Garramone. Pam is a positive psychology coach who teaches people how to be happier.

It’s important to note that Pam is not talking about ignoring or minimizing the pain and difficulty of losing a spouse, and being a widowed parent, but rather about some ways to gradually move the needle and to work some happiness into our lives in spite of this.

Pam and I talked about so many interesting topics, including many practical tips for how to be happier — and — how to help our kids be happier. We talked about:

• What is positive psychology, and how does it relate to ‘regular’ psychology;

• Some tools of positive psychology that can help us become happier;

• The VIA character survey, and how to use your signature strengths to lift depression;

• Fostering a growth mindset in our kids;

• How helping others helps us to feel better;

• How social connections can boost happiness; and

• The benefits to our lives of increasing our happiness.

I hope you enjoy my discussion with Pam Garramone.

Links & resources for this episode

• Thrive Now Boston

• Penn Positive Psychology Center - Dr. Martin Seligman

• The Wholebeing Institute - Tal Ben-Shahar

• VIA Character Strengths Survey

• Amy Cuddy TED talk - “Your body language may shape who you are”

• Greater Good Science Center - UC Berkeley

  Books recommended by Pam:
  

• Mindset, by Carol Dweck

• Solve for Happy, by Mo Gawdat

• Books by Shawn Achor

  Connect with Pam:
  

• pamgarramone.com

• Instagram - @pamgarramone

• Facebook - @pamgarramonespeakerandcoach

• Twitter - @pamgarramone

• Linked In - /pamgarramone

More links for listeners

• Download: Kids & Grief: What You Need to Know

• Article: I’m a Widowed Mom: Here Are My 3 Tips for COVID-19 Widows

• Book: Widowed Parents Unite: 52 Tips to Get Through the First Year, from One Widowed Parent to Another

Thank you sponsors & partners:

Help Texts - Grief support text messaging service. Tips and support delivered all year long, personalized based on your loss. Listeners get $10 off: https://helptexts.com/jennylisk

BetterHelp - Talk with a licensed, professional therapist online. Get 10% off your first month: betterhelp.com/widowedparent

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