Zest/Vitality Resources

The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not Time, Is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal

by Loehr and Schwartz

Loehr and Schawarz don’t address directly the concept of zest; however, their book is an excellent guide to increasing the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual energy that leads to a vital life. This is practical guide not a scientific study of zest.

Flow: The Psychology of Opmal Experitience (P.S.)
by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Csikszentmihalyi’s groundbreaking book, Flow, introduces the concept of a life fully engaged. By finding and capitalizing on those activities that both challenge and consume our attention, a person enters a state of flow. This book is an important book in the field of positive psychology.

Finding Flow: The Psychology of Engagement with Everyday Life (Masterminds Series)

by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

This is Flow 201 and should be read after reading Flow. Finding Flow is a more prescriptive guide to developing an engaged, zestful life.

Downloadable Bibliography of Articles on Zest

This pdf file provides a list of research-based articles that provide a deeper understanding of the construct of vitality at various stages of the lifespan.

Measurement

Subjective Vitality Scale

This is a measure of basic human needs based on Ryan and Deci’s work on self-determination theory. It has strong psychometric properties. It is a seven-item scale that reflects positive feelings of aliveness and energy.