Positive Psychology: Harnessing the Power of Happiness, Mindfulness, Savoring & Inner Strength

Positive psychology is a field of psychology that focuses on the study of positive emotions, strengths, virtues, and factors that contribute to human well-being and flourishing. It emerged in the late 20th century as a response to the traditional approach in psychology, which often focused on the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses and disorders. Positive psychology seeks understanding what makes life worth living and how individuals can thrive and lead fulfilling lives (Seligman, 2011).

Dr. Martin Seligman is often credited with founding the modern positive psychology movement. His work, along with that of other researchers and practitioners in the field, has had a significant impact on psychology, counseling, education, and various other domains. Positive psychology has practical applications in areas such as therapy, education, workplace well-being, and personal development. Here are some strategies which can be used to experience positive emotions using some key concepts and areas of focus within positive psychology:

How to harness the power of Happiness?

a. Strength-based approaches:

We are more prone to suffer pain when we become negatively self-focused, which can include dwelling about our deficiencies and weaknesses. On the other hand, utilising our strengths while being aware of them is linked to mood enhancements. Recognizing our greatest strengths and actively utilising them might improve our happiness. There are various methods for doing this. You might consult your friends and relatives, go through a character qualities list, or respond to a formal strengths questionnaire. You can decide to employ one of your best qualities in various ways throughout the week after highlighting a few of your standout qualities. For instance, if creativity is one of your strengths, you can choose to create a picture, work on a short narrative, and prepare a dish you enjoy in a novel way.

b. Recording your experiences:

Writing about and reflecting on pleasant experiences is a typical positive psychology technique used to improve wellbeing. The “Three Good Things” or “Three Blessings” exercise, created by Dr. Martin Seligman, is one type of this technique. The task requires you to list three positive events from your day and consider how they came about. Increases in happiness and a reduction in depression symptoms have been linked to participating in this activity for at least a week; these benefits persisted six months later.

c. Being grateful:

Practising gratitude is a powerful technique for improving your overall well-being and mindset. It involves focusing on and appreciating the positive aspects of your life, no matter how big or small. Choose a notebook or use a digital note-taking app specifically for your gratitude journal. It should be a place where you can regularly record your thoughts. Dedicate a specific time each day to write in your gratitude journal. Begin by writing down three to five things you are grateful for. These can be simple pleasures or experiences from the day. They don’t need to be grand gestures; the key is to find genuine sources of gratitude.

d. Showing gratitude:

While private experiences of gratitude can be beneficial, so too can sharing it with one’s benefactors. Dr Martin Seligman researched “gratitude visits” in which participants wrote letters of thanks and gave them to someone who had shown them kindness. Participants said they felt happier and less depressed once the visit was over, and these feelings lasted for up to a month. The expression of appreciation has been linked to neurobiological alterations.

According to studies, listening to someone express gratitude caused the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, a part of the brain involved in processing happy emotions, to become more active. Showing gratitude (e.g. saying “Thank You”, writing a “Thank You” note, sending a text or Email, Giving compliments, etc.) is a meaningful way to express appreciation and strengthen your relationships with others.

Read more: Yoga & Psychology: Bridging Ancient & Modern Wisdom

Harnessing the Power of Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present and aware of the moment without judgment. It can help reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance overall well-being. Here are some mindfulness strategies you can incorporate into your daily life:

1. Mindful Breathing: Pay attention to your breath. Take slow, deep breaths and notice the sensation of the air entering and leaving your nostrils or the rise and fall of your chest or abdomen. When your mind starts to wander, gently bring your focus back to your breath.
2. Body Scan: Lie down or sit comfortably and mentally scan your body from head to toe. Notice any areas of tension or discomfort and try to release them. This can help you become more aware of physical sensations and relax.
3. Mindful Eating: When you eat, eat with full attention. Notice the colours, textures, and flavours of your food. Chew slowly and savour each bite. Pay attention to how your body responds to hunger and fullness cues.
4. Walking Meditation: Take a slow, mindful walk. Focus on the sensation of your feet hitting the ground, the movement of your body, and the sounds and sights around you. This can turn a simple walk into a meditative experience.
5. Mindful Listening: When someone is speaking to you, give them your full attention. Put away distractions, maintain eye contact, and listen without thinking about what you will say next. Truly hear and understand the person speaking.
6. Mindful Observation: Pick an object in your environment and study it closely. Notice its shape, colour, texture, and any patterns or details. This practice can help you cultivate a more observant and present mindset.
7. Mindful Journaling: Write in a journal about your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. This can help you process your emotions and gain insight into your mental state.
8. Mindful Yoga or Stretching: Engage in gentle yoga or stretching exercises while paying close attention to the sensations in your body. Stretching mindfully can help relieve tension and increase body awareness.
9. Mindful Media Consumption: When watching TV, reading, or using social media, do so mindfully. Be aware of the content you’re engaging with and how it makes you feel. Avoid mindlessly scrolling or multitasking.
10. Pause and Breathe: Throughout the day, take short mindfulness breaks. Pause for a few moments, take a few deep breaths, and check in with your thoughts and emotion
11. Mindful Communication: Practice mindful communication by choosing your words carefully and listening actively when speaking with others. Avoid reacting impulsively and instead respond thoughtfully.
12. Mindful Driving: When driving, focus on the act of driving itself. Pay attention to the road, your surroundings, and the sensations of driving, rather than getting lost in your thoughts or distractions.
13. Loving-Kindness Meditation: Dedicate time to sending loving-kindness or positive thoughts to yourself and others. This meditation practice can cultivate feelings of compassion and empathy.

Remember that mindfulness is a skill that takes time to develop. Be patient with yourself and practice regularly. Over time, you’ll likely notice an increased sense of presence, reduced stress, and improved overall well-being.

Read More: 10 Meditation Techniques Everyone can (and should) Explore

Harnessing the Power of Savoring

Savoring is a psychological concept that involves fully appreciating and enjoying positive experiences. It can help enhance happiness, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being. There are several savoring strategies you can practice in your daily life to make the most of positive moments:

a. Savoring meals

Take slow, deliberate bites from the prepared food in front of you. Eliminate all interruptions, including those from your phone, laptop, TV, etc. Make a conscious effort to pay attention to all the many sensory experiences you get while eating throughout mealtime. Spend some time slowly chewing and swallowing. Take note of the diverse flavours, surfaces, and aromas. Be mindful of your thoughts as they come up during the experience. Make sure to allot enough time so that you can take your time and enjoy the meal.

b. Savoring simple chores & tasks

Daily activities are frequently completed without much consideration. Any habitual action frequently loses its allure. Although they might not be the first things that come to mind when considering savouring, chores like cleaning the house or checking the mail are among the simpler jobs to do so. The next time you go to pick up the mail, take your time rather than moving quickly. Slowly breathe in the fresh morning air or the peace of the moment as you make your way to the mailbox. Pay attention to the chirping of the birds in the trees and the sound of the passing cars. Avoid rushing through your day blindly trying to get everything done.

c. Savoring a walk or a drive

There are various approaches of taking time to appreciate a stroll or a drive. You can decide to spend the effort to plan out a certain trail or path to follow, or you can explore new locations on a whim. Similarly, you can decide to travel a more appealing route. You may do some preliminary study to find routes that you would enjoy using to get to work or a meeting. Be open to any unplanned moments of enjoyment as well. You might pick up on the air’s quiet, the fall leaves changing colours, or other fascinating nuances.

d. Savoring through photos

Reminiscing about earlier events is an excellent way to savour. Examining images of occasions that were especially delightful is one method to achieve this. By taking your time and thinking back on the specifics of the experience, you can savour the sweet memory of the past. Although recalling prior events mentally is certainly a viable option for this, collecting physical mementos makes it easier to remember past experiences in greater detail.

e. Savoring music

Music is frequently used as a nice “background noise” for another task. Even though this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, try carefully choosing a song and focusing just on the music-listening and music-feeling experience. You only need to sit and listen; there is nothing more you need to do or be. Look for anything new you can notice, even in songs you may have listened to numerous times before.

f. Savor time with a person you love

The relationships that matter most in our life are simple to take for granted. Despite the fact that we may regularly spend time with these people, the hustle and distractions of modern life raise the possibility that, despite our physical presence, we may never be really present with them. Practise setting apart times when you give someone you care about your undivided attention.

Read More: Importance of Friendships and Their Impact on Mental Health

This could occur during a dinner discussion, when you put your child to bed, or even during a brief phone call to a friend just to hear their voice. Just take advantage of the time you have with this person; multitasking is not permitted. Even if there are periods of stillness, you can think of things you like about them, a happy memory you had together, their peculiarities and qualities, or other ways this person makes your life better.

g. Savoring family gatherings

Family reunions can be stressful or even upsetting for some people. Try to keep in mind the bigger picture despite the pandemonium that comes with big family gatherings: this time spent together will come to an end and cannot be repeated. What is going on right now that is enjoyable and delectable? If it’s not a funeral, think about the good things; there’s probably a lot to be thankful for. If it’s a funeral, it serves as a powerful reminder to cherish the time we do have with our loved ones and the relationships we do have. At family events, emphasise the positive features of these relationships.

Read More: What is Family Therapy and how it works? 

h. Savoring together

The experience is richer when two (or more) individuals savour something together. When several people savor something together, each one brings their own interpretations, ideas, and emotions, which makes the experience more complex. It’s more probable that someone else will notice details that you might otherwise miss. Check to see if seeing the same things from the perspectives of individuals around you will enhance your own enjoyment.

Harnessing the Power of Inner Strength by Practising Self-Compassion:

Self-compassion is the practice of treating yourself with the same kindness, care and understanding that you would offer to a friend in times of suffering or when facing personal shortcomings. Here are some self-compassion strategies one can practice in your daily life:

• Self-Kindness: Be gentle and understanding toward yourself, especially when you make mistakes or encounter difficulties. Replace self-criticism with self-encouragement. Treat yourself as you would a good friend.
• Common Humanity: Recognize that suffering and imperfection are a part of the human experience. You are not alone in your struggles. Everyone faces difficulties, and acknowledging this shared humanity can reduce feelings of isolation.
• Self-Compassion Journal: Keep a journal where you write down self-compassionate thoughts and responses to challenging situations. This can help you reframe negative self-talk and build a more compassionate mindset.
• Self-Hug or Self-Embrace: Physically give yourself a hug or embrace when you need comfort or support. This simple gesture can help you connect with feelings of self-compassion.
• Self-Care: Prioritize self-care activities that nourish your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. This includes getting enough sleep, eating nutritiously, engaging in enjoyable hobbies, and setting boundaries.
• Forgiveness: Forgive yourself for past mistakes and let go of lingering guilt or shame. Understand that making mistakes is a part of learning and growing.
• Positive Self-Talk: Challenge negative self-talk and replace it with kind and encouraging statements. Treat yourself as your own best friend, offering words of comfort and support.
• Set Realistic Expectations: Avoid setting overly high expectations for yourself. Be realistic about what you can accomplish, and don’t beat yourself up for not meeting unrealistic standards.
• Seek Professional Help: If you’re struggling with self-compassion and it’s negatively impacting your life, consider seeking support from a therapist or counselor who specializes in self-compassion and self-esteem issues.

People spend their whole life in thinking about & eliminating deficits & weaknesses. They live their life on working upon self-improvement but they don’t think consciously about their strengths and how they can use it in making their life more fulfilling and flourishing. There are good experiences, good people, a life full of opportunities that one can grab using own strengths and a healthy body and mind by which one can think about how much blessed one is.