What if we started viewing mental health a different way? What if instead of taking a “don’t fix it until its broke approach” we were proactive with mental health like we would be (or should be) with our physical health. That good mental health means actively “flourishing” and continuing to enhance well-being. Positive psychology sets out to do that. According to the Positive Psychology Center, “Positive Psychology is the scientific study of the strengths that enable individuals and communities to thrive. The field is founded on the belief that people want to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives, to cultivate what is best within themselves, and to enhance their experiences of love, work, and play” (1)
Positive psychology is in some ways like a tool kit; getting familiar with the tools helps you to build well-being, resilience and optimism, a stronger foundation for a fulfilling life.
Martin Seligman, a psychologist, researcher and known as the founder of positive psychology describes a model of well-being that has five core elements; actively addressing these elements contributes to well-being.
These elements are:
Positive Emotion – Optimism and a positive perspective.
Engagement – Participating in activities that take our full engagement.
Relationships –Building positive relationships.
Meaning - Living with purpose and meaning, being true to your values.
Accomplishment – Striving to reach goals, having a sense of accomplishment.
Positive psychology has been very well researched and is being used in many areas. For example, positive psychology is used in the army’s comprehensive soldier program as tool to decrease the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder. It’s starting to be taught in schools and at universities. It is also being utilized in therapy, but more so as an adjunct to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, not as a stand-alone modality. Positive psychology does not suggest getting rid of traditional psychology but only to act as a supplement.(2)
What positive psychology does not do, is suggest that you should be happy and optimistic all the time, that’s neither realistic nor practical, but addressing them can help with over-all wellbeing.
The following are several exercises to try described in Martin Seligman’s book Flourish (2011):
1) The kindness exercise: Find one expected kind thing tomorrow and just do it. Take notice of your mood. (Seligman, p. 21)
2) What went well exercise: “Write down three things that went well today and why they went well.” (Seligman, p. 33)
References and Resources:
(1) https://ppc.sas.upenn.edu/
(2) https://ppc.sas.upenn.edu/learn-more/frequently-asked-questions
Authentic Happiness Website: www.authentichappiness.org
Seligman, M., (2011) Flourish: a visionary new understanding of happiness and well-being. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster
Positive Psychology Center: http://ppc.sas.upenn.edu/
A great book that helps builds healthy relationships: The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John Gottman and Nan Silver