Positive Mental Health | Integrating Positive Psychology and Mental Health

Positive psychology is an understanding of what it takes to be the best versions of ourselves. It focusses on the positive emotions we can experience, such as happiness, joy and love and encourages people to maximise these positives. Positive Psychology Training contributes to a happier mental state, better wellbeing and improved mental health.

Psychology studies the mind, human behaviour, emotions and thoughts. Positive psychology homes in on the positives of these areas. In mind, thoughts and emotions, this includes optimism, inspiration, confidence, hopefulness and satisfaction with life. In terms of human behaviour, positive psychology looks at our interactions with others in the world, like our compassion, kindness and gratitude.

Improving our life satisfaction and quality of life is something that is down to us. It is made up of little changes, step by step, moving towards new attitudes and a new life outlook. If you feel sad or low at the moment, take some time for reflection and have a read of these life alterations suggested by doctors and research who have specialised in positive psychology. Everyone has the potential to be happy. It is well within your grasp.

Attitudes

Gratitude

Life is filled with hardships of course, but so much energy is wasted when we focus on these. Likelihood is, everyone reading this has something, if not 10 things at least, to be grateful for. An education, parents who provided for us, food on the table and a roof over our heads to name a few. Beyond this, we have love, kindness, growth and potential in abundance. We have functioning bodies and physical health. We have friends and family, mentors, educators who appreciate us. We have entertainment and stimuli, a lot of which is given to us at no cost. We can see nature or urban life. We can taste fantastic flavours from all over the world. It only takes a shift in attitude and perception to begin to appreciate these things with intensified gratitude.

What you can do: Write a gratitude journal every day. Just a few sentences will do, to reinforce your appreciation for the happiness and positive things that enrich your life.

Example: I am grateful for the delicious lunch I will eat today. I am grateful that I have friends to chat to. I am grateful that I can spend a few hours relaxing today. I am grateful for the chance to go outside and walk in my favourite park. I am grateful for my sight and I am grateful for my legs which allow me to do this walk and see the beauty of the park.

Interactions with others

Kindness

Acts of kindness are an incredible way to improve your positive health. They are mutually beneficial to all the people involved. If you perform a kind act, the receiver will feel positive from your generosity and friendliness. The act ricochets back to you and makes you feel happy to have helped someone and had a positive interaction. Kindness is infectious, harness that power!

What you can do: Have an awareness of what is going on around you. On the street, look up and observe who is around and what they’re doing. Take time, don’t rush through life, give yourself the space and opportunity to help someone if they need it. When interacting with friends and family, carry the same awareness. You may be able to pick up on something someone is struggling with, so you can then offer yourself as a listener and advice-giver if they need it.

Example: Giving money, food or a smile to homeless people in public is an easy and common act of kindness. People sleeping rough are no different than others, they are not there by choice or their fault, usually they have been hard done by in life. It really can brighten their day to not be ignored, to be acknowledged as a human being and an equal. If you can give money, a smile or a minute of your time for a chat it won’t go underappreciated.

Spending time

Experiences

Studies suggest that happiness can be found from experiences more than material things. People often feel joy after taking a holiday, having a fantastic day out or pursuing an activity that they love. The positive energy felt extends far beyond the activity being over and the happiness is even stronger when the experience is something you can repeatedly do.

What you can do: Write a list of the activities which have made you happy in the past and some which you’d like to do but may have never tried. Try to think of ones which you can do independently rather than relying on others. This will push you out of your comfort zone and you will feel rewarded.

Example: Joining a sports team. Research online to find the right sport and find a local team, send them an email asking if you’d be welcome to try out that sport. They’ll likely get back to you with a warm welcome and an invite to try the sport. There are so many positives with this example, endorphins and health from exercise, the potential for socialising and making friends, and the ability to go alone making you feel independent and powerful.

Volunteering

Volunteering is said to improve life satisfaction. There is a psychology behind working for free which creates positive associations. Instead of clock watching and frustratingly comparing your hard work to what you are paid, volunteering your time is an act of generosity which comes with a willingness to muck in. Your help will be so appreciated and this way of spending time is filled with gratitude and helpfulness.

What you can do: Consider a cause that you feel passionate about, think about something that frustrates you about the world that you want to help in some capacity. It could be homelessness, food waste, animal care or loneliness in elderly people. Again, research your local charities which support your cause and ask to volunteer. Some may have tests and restrictions so cast the net wide and see what comes up.

Example: Volunteer for a few hours a week in a local community garden. Planting seeds and seeing them grow is good for the soul and you’ll be giving your time to an excellent cause which helps the community and creates new life and beauty. You’ll also meet new people and get to know why others are giving their time for this cause, further reinforcing the positive message.

Positive Psychology Program is made up of the ways in which we walk through the world. If we are mindful, kind and appreciative, if we give positivity back into the world, we will reap the benefits and feel our positive health grow.