Positive Psychology

Positive psychology was initiated at the dawn of the 21st century by Martin Seligman and Mihály Csíkszentmihályi. Positive psychology aims to go beyond treating mental illness: it also aims to assist individuals in fulfilling their lives, fostering their happiness, and aiding in the development of their talents and communities. It is a paradigm shift proposed by positive psychology advocates for a more comprehensive and balanced exploration of human nature, emphasising the necessity of understanding happiness with similar precision to understanding suffering. This is especially important in our societal quest for chasing happiness and finding fulfillment in everyday life.

Positive psychology helps not only those who may have struggled with their mental health. It also gives directions to everyone to start living a happier and more fulfilling life, whilst maintaining optimal mental health. Positive psychology asserts that mental health is not synonymous with the absence of mental illness, nor is the lack of mental health equivalent to mental illness. It proposes to see mental health and mental illness as distinct entities, independent of each other. The pinnacle of mental health, according to positive psychology, is termed "flourishing." flourishing is defined as the highest level of mental health and well-being that an individual can achieve. It represents a state of optimal functioning and fulfillment in various aspects of life, including emotional, psychological, social, and physical well-being. Flourishing individuals experience a deep sense of happiness, purpose, and meaning in their lives. They exhibit resilience in the face of challenges, maintain positive relationships with others, and actively pursue personal growth and development.

Another fundamental concept within positive psychology is self-acceptance. This involves positively evaluating oneself, acknowledging and embracing both the positive and negative aspects of one's personality - resonating with core concepts from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy which we will cover in another article. Self-accepting individuals typically express satisfaction with most aspects of their personality or, upon reflecting on their life history, feel content with the course of events and do not experience disillusionment with their life performance. The ability to cultivate positive relationships with others indicates experiencing warmth, trust, and intimacy in interpersonal connections, as well as no difficulty in maintaining close relationships, and a genuine enjoyment of spending time with others. Personal growth entails an individual's continual effort to leverage their abilities, thus accentuating their strengths and virtues.

Positive psychology advocates for optimism in a balanced manner, aiming to assist individuals in effectively adapting to the challenges of everyday life. In the contemporary context, where many individuals are grappling with stress, anxiety, and other mental difficulties, adhering to the principles of positive psychology can yield numerous benefits. These include heightened satisfaction in relationships and life in general, more successful coping with difficulties, and consequently, an improved quality of life and well-being.