Engaging in reflective thought for five minutes at your desk could increase your sense of well-being and satisfaction according to University of Limerick, Work and Organisational Psychologist Dr Deirdre O'Shea.  Dr. O'Shea from UL's Kemmy Business School is currently working in collaboration with colleagues from Germany and Canada, investigating short daily reflections that, when practiced regularly during work, can enhance employees general sense of happiness.

Drawing on principles from Positive Psychology, the international team have designed a number of daily reflections that employees can practice at work, and they are currently engaged in research to examine their impact.  Speaking about the research Dr O'Shea said that "Positive Psychology is a relatively new arm of psychology that focuses on how to enhance psychological "well-ness" rather than alleviate psychological "ill-ness."  With the changes in economic, technological and social aspects of work placing increased pressure on workers, this research provides a timely intervention to allow employees to take control of their own well-being, and better manage the challenges of everyday work."

Dr O'Shea is currently seeking participants in relation to this research and inviting people to take the opportunity to engage in the research process and reap the rewards of a less stressful work environment. Apart from contributing to an important research-field, participants in this project will get to know special techniques they can use to help in improving work-life-balance and general well-being.  Some compensation is being offered to the research participants.

The "Happy and Engaged at Work" project is an international collaboration between Dr. Deirdre O'Shea (University of Limerick), Dr. M. Gloria González-Morales (University of Guelph, Canada), Professor  Annekatrin Hoppe (Humboldt University Berlin, Germany), Dr. Alexandra Michel (University of Heidelberg, German), and Dr. Anna Steidle (Chemnitz University of Technology, Germany).  Recently, their research was positively received when they presented it at the European Academy of Occupational Health Psychology Conference in Zurich.

Anyone interested in participating in this research should go to www3.ul.ie/happyatworkproject for further information.