The Science of Happiness: Exploring the Power of Positive Psychology
Our work stems from positive psychology. Positive psychology drives from the study of wellbeing including happiness and flourishing in life. Why is this field essential in today world you may be thinking, well unlike traditional psychology where a large part focusses on mental illness or dysfunction. Positive psychology brings an alternative perspective to the field, focussing on the positive factors of human experience. In this post we will explore the core principles and touch on how positive psychology can be applied to your life to increase your levels of happiness and satisfaction with life. In the current world in which we live, now more than ever there is a requirement for us to step up and promote good mental health both in the workplace and our personal lives.
Where Positive Psychology stemmed from:
As psychology’s original focus was on pathology and mental disorders, in the late 20th century (1998) it first came to light when Dr Martin Seligman proclaimed that Psychologists need to study what makes people happy. Dr. Martin Seligman, often considered the father of positive psychology, played a key role in it’s development. He suggested that psychology should not only aim to alleviate suffering but also focus on promoting human flourishing and happiness.
Key Principles of Positive Psychology:
Positive Emotions: Positive psychology focusses on the importance of experiencing positive emotions such as happiness, gratitude, love, and peace. Nurturing these emotions can enhance overall well-being (keep reading to see how you can do this).
Meaning and Purpose: Positive psychology emphasises the role of meaning and purpose in life and why having a sense of purpose is linked to increased life satisfaction and a greater sense of fulfilment.
Optimism: An essential principle of positive psychology is optimism, the belief that a better future is possible. Nothing in life is promised, we can worry about tomorrow, but it may never come. Which highlights the importance of adopting a positive mindset, developing resilience to tackle challenges and obstacles, which can lead to better outcomes. Research has shown that optimists have less stress which makes them healthier.
Strengths and Virtues: We all have strengths, think of your best friend or someone you admire, you quite often see their strengths so clearly. Rather than dwelling on your weaknesses and deficits, positive psychology encourages you to identify and leverage your strengths and virtues (What are your superpowers- focus on them and do more of them). Recognising and using your unique qualities can lead to personal growth and fulfilment.
Positive Relationships: . Positive psychology emphasises the importance of nurturing and maintaining meaningful connections with others. Healthy and positive relationships are vital for well-being. Have you ever spent time with someone who is constantly negative, every time you see them you enter with joy and then leave their company feeling completely deflated? Our brains have mirror neurons which support in the process of emotional contagion. Yes emotions can be contagious, being around happy people lifts your mood. Alternatively, energy suckers can deplete your energy and shift your mood, if you can limit the amount of time you spend with energy suckers, make that a fundamental for your own headspace. Or practice being the happy person ! Your energy is contagious too.
Applying Positive Psychology in Your Life:
Ok, now, let’s consider how you can apply positive psychology in your life to make it to lead more fulfilling and happier:
Practice Gratitude: Regularly expressing gratitude for the positive aspects of your life, helps you to consider what to be grateful for, the simple morning decaff coffee I am enjoying as I write this, or the sound of the birds, being grateful for your health or simply being alive. Taking the time to lift your head up from your digital device, when your outdoors to see the beauty that surround you (for free). Practicing gratitude helps to shift our mindset from the things that maybe aren’t going so well to focussing on the little things which we often take for granted. It is useful to keep a journal with a section for gratitude, on the days where you may be struggling to find anything to be grateful for you can look back at your journal to better days and select something to help you shift your mindset. Or simply reflecting on your blessings can boost happiness.
Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness meditation has so many benefits, it can help you stay present in the moment, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being. For those of you reading this saying you can’t meditate, please try two minutes just TWO. It doesn’t matter how many times your mind wanders in that short time, just bring it back to the present moment. Your mind is a muscle, and like any other muscle it takes practice for it to build and develop. Regular mindfulness practice can improve your mental and emotional health and help you focus on what you actually want, away from the noise.
Foster Positive Relationships: Research has shown that one of the three main reasons for degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s in later life is social isolation. Yet, on today’s fast paced world and when we may be experiencing stress to hit that deadline for example, it is often difficult to find time to spend with friends. You may be thinking ‘I don’t have the time’ by putting social opportunities in your diary it encourages you to investing time and effort in building and maintaining positive relationships with friends and family or attending networking events which improves your brain health. If you struggle connecting with others begin learning key skills such as empathy, active listening, and communication skills.
Identify Your Strengths: Discover where your strengths lie, what are you good at what are you passionate about, as I mentioned earlier we are often very good at focussing on what we don’t do well. But I challenge you to consider what your unique qualities are. Write them down in your journal and see how you can start cultivating them. If you are struggling to discover your strengths BWell7 can help we offer a range of psychometric tests to help you identify what your strengths are and work with you to create a plan to empower you to tap into these qualities more and shift your mindset.
Set Meaningful Goals: Get clear with your goals and objectives make sure they are meaningful and align with your values and passions. Pursuing goals, which are yours and really resonate with you can provide a sense of purpose, which makes them more enjoyable to attain. If you are struggling with goal setting or what the next step is you are not alone get in contact with us, we are here to support you and help you to see things clearly.
Positive Self-Talk: Challenge negative self-talk and replace it with positive affirmations and constructive thoughts. If this seems impossible, build a daily habit of beginning your day with positive affirmations for example ‘ I am stronger than I know’, ‘ I am full of positive energy’, ‘I face the world with confidence’, take a couple of minutes in the morning and say them aloud or internally to help you develop your confidence, even when things are challenging. When you have a positive internal dialogue you can boost your self-esteem and confidence which can also help you cope better during times of stress.
Acts of Kindness: Engage in random acts of kindness whenever the opportunity arises. Something as simple as smiling at someone, or helping others not only brings you and the other person joy but it also builds your sense of connection with the world or give someone a compliment a genuine one of course not only does this increase your mood as it helps you shift from internal thoughts but it’s maybe what’s someone else needs.
The field of Positive psychology offers a dynamic perspective on human psychology, focusing on the factors, strengths, and virtues that lead to happiness, fulfilment and life satisfaction. By incorporating these principles into your daily life beginning with one small step, you can create a more positive mindset, develop meaningful relationships, and improve your overall well-being. I hate to break the news, but you will never arrive at happy, there is no destination, it’s a journey, a mixture of daily decisions. Although, the good news, positive psychology provides valuable tools to help you navigate that journey with greater joy and resilience.
If you are still here, thank you for reading I appreciate you, until next time take care of yourself.
Yours truly,
Jade x
Founder of BWell7 and Business Psychologist
P.s please comment below and tell me how you incorporate positive psychology in your day-to-day life.