Happiness and Wellbeing Science

The THRIVE © Approach to Wellbeing utilizes Positive Psychology’s happiness science and the PERMA^TM Model of Wellbeing: Positive emotion, Engagement, positive Relationships, Meaning and Accomplishments. The THRIVE © Approach includes and expands on these areas, with two additional domains: Thoughts (Positive Thinking) and Health habits (Physical Activity and Healthy Eating). As well as promoting positive emotions, the THRIVE domain of Emotions includes management of negative emotional states, consistent with “positive psychiatry”. Importantly, the THRIVE domain of Valued Goals also offers an effective methodology to put wellbeing science into action. “SMART” goal-setting supports behavioural activation to set goals with Meaning that can be accomplished.

Resilience Science

The THRIVE © Approach to Wellbeing includes key learnings from research on resilience, or the capacity to overcome adversity, and to navigate resources that sustain wellbeing when faced with significant adversity. Domains of the THRIVE ©Approach to Wellbeing include key actions that have been shown to promote resilience, and sustain wellbeing in the face of adversity. For example, trusted Relationships is the single best predictor of wellbeing across the lifespan.

Active Coping Science

The THRIVE © Approach to Wellbeing integrates the science of active coping or adaptive responses to serious life stresses. The framework for active coping from the stress of serious illness was recently updated to address the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic. The THRIVE domains encompass all three categories of active coping: Problem-focussed coping (Health Habits and Interests; Emotion-based coping (Relationships and Emotions) and Meaning-based coping (Thoughts and Valued Goals).

Lifestyle Medicine and Longevity Science

Preventative and lifestyle medicine shows that 85% of chronic diseases are caused by unhealthy lifestyles . The THRIVE ©Approach to Wellbeing includes six pillars from lifestyle medicine: Social Activity (Relationships); Physical Activity and Nutrition (Health Habits); and Managing Stress, Improving Sleep and Avoiding substances (Emotions). The THRIVE © Approach to Wellbeing also added the domain of Thoughts (Positive Thinking) since longevity research shows those with positive self-perceptions of aging outlive those with negative views by 7.5 years!

Research also shows physicians who use preventative medicine strategies themselves are more likely to use them in practice. Physicians are invited to enroll in our Thrive MD Program, and all registered clinicians can enroll in our 5-minute CBT Course through the Thrive Learning Centre to learn how to apply the approach to themselves, and in practice.

Brain Neuroplasticity Science

Neuroplasticity is the ability of our brains to change and “rewire” in response to activities, at any age. Our daily activities and habits can change and rewire our brains. The key THRIVE domains serve to optimize brain neuroplasticity and protect the brain from negative effects of stress. Science shows that shifting our thoughts and lifestyle habits in key areas will promote our brain’s capacity to regulate emotions under stress and help us to thrive in the face of adversity.

Behaviour Change Science

The THRIVE © Approach to Wellbeing is grounded in the principles of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Behaviour Activation, which are powerful, evidence-based interventions used to treat many disorders that can also promote happiness and wellbeing. Everyone is invited to register to use The Wellness App and apply our 3-step approach. All regulated health care providers are invited to download our Health Behaviour Change Toolkit for use in frontline care, and take the 5- Minute CBT course.