Thriving with Anxiety & Depression

Exercises and Resources to Accompany the ADAA Public Education Webinar

Downloadable Exercises

In the webinar, Dr. Ashley shares 3 positive psychology exercises designed to help promote thriving.

Make Your Strengths PERMA-nent

This exercise uses your strengths to help you thrive.

Instructions: First, identify your signature strengths. You can do that by considering positive feedback you've gotten from others, thinking about the qualities you displayed during times when you were at your best, and/or by completing the VIA Survey of Character Strengths. Then, find ways to use your strengths to boost your PERMA factors.

Bright Spots & Victories

This exercise is designed to help train your brain to be less negative, to help you notice and savor positive experiences, and to help you learn to be kinder to yourself.

Gratitude Visit

This exercise not only taps into the benefits of a gratitude practice, but it also strengthens your relationships.

Instructions: Think of someone still living who has had a positive impact on your life. Write them a letter expressing what they did, how they made a difference, and how you feel about it. Be concrete and detailed! Then, read this letter to them, either in person or virtually. You'll both benefit from the experience

Building Psychological Strength Podcast

More and more, people are seeing the benefits of building resilience, building confidence, building mental toughness and flexibility, and moving past fear and anxiety in their lives. Dr. April Seifert hosts this powerful podcast that will help you build psychological strength through interviews and information from some of the world's leading experts in the fields of Psychology and Life Design. It's time to go beyond merely surviving. It's time to thrive!

Listen Now

Greater Good Science Center at Berkeley University

The GCSC is a rich resource for all things wellbeing. Learn from leaders in the field of positive psychology through their blog posts, magazine, and podcast.