Positive psychology offers approaches that go beyond reducing emotional labor symptoms toward building the conditions for genuine flourishing.
PERMA and Emotional Labor
Martin Seligman's PERMA model identifies five elements of wellbeing relevant to emotional labor:
- Positive emotions: Deliberately cultivating joy, gratitude, and pleasure alongside emotional labor treatment
- Engagement: Flow states that create absorption and counter emotional labor
- Relationships: Quality connections that buffer against emotional labor
- Meaning: Purpose that persists despite emotional labor
- Achievement: Progress toward goals, even while managing emotional labor
Signature Strengths and Emotional Labor
Research shows that using your top character strengths in new ways is a robust emotional labor intervention. The VIA Character Strengths survey identifies your strengths.
Integrating Positive Psychology with Emotional Labor Treatment
Positive psychology doesn't replace emotional labor treatment — it complements it. Treating emotional labor removes obstacles; positive psychology builds the structure of a fulfilling life.