{"id":32913,"date":"2026-02-04T12:00:24","date_gmt":"2026-02-04T03:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sonomono.jp\/?p=32913"},"modified":"2026-08-03T17:53:43","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T08:53:43","slug":"natto-hakase-93","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sonomono.jp\/en\/natto-hakase\/natto-hakase-93\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Flourishing?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A <\/span><\/strong>Concept of \u201cSustainable Happiness\u201d Beyond Well-Being<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In recent years, flourishing<\/strong> has gained attention as a next-stage concept of health and happiness that goes beyond well-being<\/em>. While well-being often focuses on how an individual feels, flourishing looks at whether people and societies can sustain happiness and function well over time<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flourishing<\/strong> is sometimes translated as sustainable happiness<\/em>. Rooted in positive psychology, it describes a state in which multiple dimensions\u2014physical health, psychological fulfillment, social connection, and a sense of purpose<\/strong>\u2014are balanced and continuously supported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does flourishing<\/em> really mean?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The concept was proposed by Martin Seligman<\/strong>, often called the father of positive psychology<\/em>. Flourishing is considered both an extension of well-being and a framework for evaluating it<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In his book Flourish<\/em> (Japanese edition: The Challenge of Positive Psychology: From \u201cHappiness\u201d to \u201cSustainable Happiness\u201d<\/em>), Seligman explains:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The central topic of positive psychology is well-being.
The standard for measuring well-being is flourishing, and the goal of positive psychology is to increase flourishing.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

In other words, well-being is the condition<\/strong>, and flourishing is the sustained outcome<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key Concepts Related to Health and Happiness<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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To better understand flourishing, it helps to look at how ideas of health and happiness have evolved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Health?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Traditionally, health<\/em> referred mainly to physical health<\/strong>, with a focus on preventing illness and maintaining bodily function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Wellness?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The concept of wellness<\/em> expanded health to include mental and emotional well-being<\/strong>, emphasizing balance between body and mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Well-Being?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), well-being is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cA state in which individuals and societies are able to thrive. It is a resource for everyday life and is shaped by social, economic, and environmental conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Well-being recognizes that health is influenced by factors beyond the individual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Flourishing?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Flourishing<\/strong> refers to sustainable happiness<\/em>. It is a state in which:<\/p>\n\n\n\n