What Is Positive Psychology?

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Tell Me About Positive Psychology

Have you ever wondered how you can lead a life with a positive mindset? How you can remain calm and grounded, away from the past or future, just being present in the ‘now’?

Well, the field of Positive Psychology can help you find ways to enlighten you with a fresh perspective on life.

Most of us have heard the term ‘Positive Psychology’, but what does it mean? Is it a scientific approach to well-being, or just a fallacy?

Positive Psychology (PP) is a scientific approach to understanding how one thinks, feels or behaves. It focuses on looking at positive subjective experiences and traits. By practising exercises based on PP, we can attempt to feel more positive, and more fulfilled.

Unlike Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), PP does not focus on your vulnerabilities or weaknesses. Rather, the focus is on your positive traits and characteristics that can make one’s life more meaningful. Isn’t that interesting?

What Are The 3 Elements of Positive Psychology?

PP focuses on 3 elements:

• Positive experiences (such as a trip, or spending time with your loved one).
• Positive traits (such as love, honesty and gratitude).
• Positive institutions (such as expressing positive feelings at your workplace or among family).

But what is the point of focusing on such elements?

Well, there is a huge misconception that one needs mental health support or seek help only when one is going through major distress. However, that is not the case. Why? We can always monitor our lifestyle and mental well-being.  We don’t always have to aim to look for ‘what is wrong, but sometimes we may wish to focus on ‘what is good’. When you focus on the 3 elements of PP, you will be able to perceive things and situations better, gain a positive mentality and earn life satisfaction.

What The Research Says About Positive Psychology

Numerous research studies have been conducted within this field, especially by the founder, Martin Slegiman. Some of the interesting exercises that you can apply in your lives to feel more positive emotions are:

• Practising Gratitude. Gratitude is the factor that contributes to happiness the most, according to recent studies.
• Less focus on money, more satisfaction. These days we tend to work tirelessly, without considering our health, for the sake of money. This is because people consider money to be the major influence of happiness. Is this really true? PP studies suggest that spending money for your loved ones will improve your mood and generate happiness or joy.
• There are many more ways that PP can change life for the better.

And guess what? When applying all these strategies at your home, workplace or any other organisations you interact with, you will spread the positive energy among others. Now that is a win-win situation!

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