An in-depth look at vitality
In 2004 Martin Seligman and Christopher Peterson published their “manual of sanities,” titled Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification. They built on the growing field of positive psychology to develop a science of human strengths, creating a tool for measuring and improving positive psychological traits. Here is an introduction to one strength of character, vitality.
Vitality is the distinction between living and actually being alive. Vital individuals are energetic and highly functioning, with a deep and present feeling of their existence. Not all energy is vital – vital energy is positive and controllable, accessible by an individual on a physical and psychological level.
Study of vitality
The study of vitality has its roots in ancient traditions, such as the Chinese concept of Chi and the Japanese concept of Ki. Psychologists in the west have theorized and written about vitality for a century, beginning with Freud’s concept of the limited libido, or psychic energy, and continuing to this day with empirical studies on the sources and effects of vitality.
Several psychological assessments exist to measure levels of vitality. These typically take the form of self-reported questionnaires, allowing researchers to measure levels of vitality across a group and determine characteristics of vital and nonvital individuals.
Sources of vitality
At the most basic level, vitality seems to be dependent on both physical and psychological health and wellbeing. Health issues, such as an illness or disability, can decrease vitality. Psychological illness can also have a negative effect on vitality, with individuals suffering from depression or anxiety tending to be less vital.1
Behaviour can also influence vitality, with smoking and poor diet leading to lower levels of vitality and exercise leading to increased vitality. In general, individuals who are more self-actualized or satisfied with their life tend to have higher levels of vitality.2
Vitality and the good life
Clearly, vitality is good. Highly vital individuals tend to be autonomous though deeply socially connected, with the ability to achieve a calm-energy state sometimes referred to as “flow”.3 They are more productive and successful in their undertakings.
But the advantages extend beyond just increased energy and focus. Some evidence suggests vitality may actually contribute to health, operating as a “protective factor” against illness. One study found that emotional vitality can decrease incidence of coronary heart disease.4 Other studies have shown that vitality can increase your chance of staying healthy, helping you to eat better and stick with weight loss programs.5
Vitality in your life
Little formal research has looked at methods for actively increasing vitality. The sources of vitality that are discussed also suffer from some circularity issues, as they are very similar to the characteristics that define vitality. Nevertheless, evidence suggests that the appropriate amount of exercise can increase vitality, as can contact with nature.6 In turn bad diet and eating for mood regulation can decrease vitality.7
But intuitively, we know what increases vitality. When you are doing something you love, when you are exploring what is new and embracing what is hard, you are vital. When you engage in culture and people yet maintain autonomy, you are vital. It may not be easy, but the vital life is attainable. Isn’t it worth a shot?
Elijah Goldberg works at EmployInsight as a marketing strategist. He is interested in human resources, technology and foreign aid. He co-founded the non-profit Walimu and studies at Yale.
1. NcNair, Lorr, & Droppleman (1971)
2. R. M. Ryan & Frederick (1997)
3. Thayer (1996, 2001), R. M. Ryan & Deci, 2001
4. http://archpsyc.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?volume=64&issue=12&page=1393
5. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-6494.1997.tb00326.x/abstract
6. Myers et al. 1999, Bernstein & Ryan, 2001
7. http://www.calmenergy.com/