Holding belief in a higher power could be the key to flourishing in life

HOLDING religious or spiritual beliefs is important for “thriving” in life, a study by the University of Portsmouth has found.

Dr Daniel Brown, a sport and exercise scientist, assessed all the research on what helps people to flourish to come up with a definitive list for living well.

To thrive, a person must be optimistic, spiritual or religious, motivated, proactive, flexible, adaptable, socially competent, have good self-belief and enjoy learning. They also must have opportunity, support from family and colleagues, a calm environment, trust and a high degree of autonomy.

“Thriving is a word most people would be glad to hear themselves described as, but which science hasn’t really managed to consistently classify and describe until now,” said Dr Brown. “It appears to come down to an individual experiencing a sense of development, of getting better at something, and succeeding at mastering something. In the simplest terms, what underpins it is feeling good about life and yourself and being good at something.”

Research has established that though thriving is similar to resilience, prospering or growth, it is also a stand-alone characteristic.

Thriving has been examined at various stages of life and has at times been described as vitality, learning, mental toughness, focus, or combinations of these and other qualities. The study is published in European Psychologist.