Languishing audiobook cover - How to Feel Alive Again in a World That Wears Us Down

Languishing

How to Feel Alive Again in a World That Wears Us Down

Corey Keyes

★ 4.4 / 5(190 ratings)
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Categories:
Personal DevelopmentHealth & NutritionMindfulness & HappinessPsychology

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Languishing
Defining Languishing+
Causes and Consequences+
The Antidote: Flourishing+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 8
How does the book describe the relationship between languishing and depression?
  • A. Languishing is simply an early, milder stage of clinical depression.
  • B. Languishing is a distinct and separate state from depression, characterized as the void between depression and flourishing.
  • C. Languishing is a severe form of depression that primarily affects adolescents and the elderly.
  • D. Languishing and depression are identical states, just described with different psychological terminology.
Question 2 of 8
According to the science of languishing, what is the physical consequence of the 'conserved transcriptional response to adversity' (CTRA) triggered by loneliness and discrimination?
  • A. It decreases cortisol levels, leading to a permanent state of lethargy and fatigue.
  • B. It causes sustained inflammation in the body, increasing the risk of cancer, heart disease, and mental health issues.
  • C. It shrinks the brain's prefrontal cortex, making it difficult to learn new skills.
  • D. It permanently alters dopamine receptors, making it impossible to experience fleeting happiness.
Question 3 of 8
What counterintuitive finding does modern research reveal about mental health and flourishing?
  • A. Reducing symptoms of mental illness automatically increases a person's level of flourishing.
  • B. Mental illness and flourishing exist on the exact same spectrum, meaning you cannot have low levels of both simultaneously.
  • C. Eliminating negative thoughts is the only proven way to cultivate positive psychological forces.
  • D. Mental health exists on two distinct continua, meaning reducing mental illness symptoms does not automatically increase flourishing.
Question 4 of 8
Why do people often avoid the journeys of self-improvement and learning that could help them flourish?
  • A. They have a psychological need to maintain 'self-consistency' and protect their pre-existing notions about their identity.
  • B. They lack the financial resources required to engage in formal educational programs.
  • C. They are biologically incapable of hitting the 'sweet spot of manageable difficulty' after adolescence.
  • D. They intuitively know that learning new skills increases the risk of triggering the CTRA response.
Question 5 of 8
When developing truly close friendships to combat languishing, what key ingredient ensures both people feel good about the relationship?
  • A. Frequent communication across multiple social media platforms.
  • B. A balanced exchange of emotional support, known as reciprocity.
  • C. Ensuring both individuals share the exact same cultural background.
  • D. Having a high quantity of shared friends within the same community.
Question 6 of 8
In the context of practicing spirituality and doing inner work, what does the author mean by finding your 'base camp'?
  • A. A physical location in nature where you can completely isolate yourself from society.
  • B. A specific religious institution that provides a strict moral code to follow.
  • C. A mind state of calm, quiet awareness you can return to in order to recover and regain strength.
  • D. A group of like-minded peers who validate your emotional reactions to difficult situations.
Question 7 of 8
What does the text highlight as a surprising statistic regarding how adults find purpose in their lives?
  • A. Over 80 percent of adults find their primary sense of purpose through their careers.
  • B. Only around 15 percent of adults view their jobs as allowing them to contribute to society.
  • C. Nearly all adults derive their sense of purpose exclusively from raising children.
  • D. Less than 5 percent of people who volunteer regularly report experiencing psychological well-being.
Question 8 of 8
How has the modern age negatively impacted our ability to use play to combat languishing?
  • A. It has made us view play as something only children should do, completely eliminating all forms of adult leisure.
  • B. It has shifted leisure into something we passively consume alone, rather than actively creating it with our community.
  • C. It has forced adults to spend too much time on active, imaginative play, leading to exhaustion.
  • D. It has made the 'play mindset' too difficult to apply to everyday chores like cooking or cleaning.

Languishing — Full Chapter Overview

Languishing Summary & Overview

Languishing (2024) delves into the often-overlooked state between mental well-being and mental illness: languishing. It offers a comprehensive analysis of how individuals can find themselves stuck in this state of stagnation and emptiness and presents a compelling guide for recognizing and addressing this state. Through an exploration of strategies for enhancing well-being, it empowers readers to transform their mental health landscape, advocating for a proactive approach to emotional and psychological resilience.

Who Should Listen to Languishing?

  • Individuals experiencing burnout or feeling overwhelmed by life
  • Wellness and life coaches
  • Anyone curious about or looking to improve their mental well-being

About the Author: Corey Keyes

Corey Keyes is a sociologist and psychologist who has made significant contributions to the field of positive psychology. A professor emeritus at Emory University, Keyes has also made important contributions to shaping public health policy through his advisory work with the CDC and governmental agencies across Canada, Northern Ireland, and Australia. He is credited for popularizing the term “languishing” as it relates to the psychology of well-being.

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