What Is Positive Psychology?
Positive psychology is the scientific study of what makes life fulfilling and meaningful. It’s not just about feeling good temporarily; it’s about empowering people to enhance their well-being through strengths, gratitude, purpose, and resilience.
Founded by Martin Seligman in the late 1990s, positive psychology explores areas like:
• Happiness: Understanding what creates lasting contentment.
• Strengths: Identifying and using your natural talents.
• Meaning: Finding purpose in your life’s activities.
• Resilience: Building the ability to recover from challenges.
• Relationships: Building and nurturing positive connections with others.
Is Positive Psychology Just Motivational Talk?
No! While motivational content may inspire, positive psychology is a science grounded in research. It doesn’t focus on vague positivity but instead provides actionable tools and practices to improve well-being.
Does Positive Psychology Ignore Pain or Struggles?
Of course not! Positive psychology helps you:
1. Acknowledge your pain: Recognize and accept what you’re going through.
2. Shift focus: Balance awareness of your challenges by focusing on what’s going well.
For example:
When you consciously notice the good in your life—no matter how small—it sends a signal to your brain that you’re safe, reducing stress and boosting your mood through the release of dopamine.
What About Depression?
When someone is depressed, their serotonin levels drop, making it difficult to see the good in life. Positive psychology doesn’t deny the struggles of depression but works alongside traditional therapy to help the person rediscover their values, set meaningful goals, and gradually shift their perspective.
A Personal Example:
When I faced depression, one of the most transformative tools for me was practicing self-compassion.
Imagine waking up every day feeling like there’s a heavy weight on your chest. Even simple tasks like eating or getting out of bed feel impossible. Now, imagine treating yourself with kindness and care instead of harsh self-criticism.
What Is Self-Compassion?
Think of how you’d comfort a friend who’s struggling. You wouldn’t judge them—you’d offer support, understanding, and kindness. Now imagine offering the same compassion to yourself.
Scenario:
Non-Self-Compassionate Response:
“I can’t believe I messed up that presentation. I’m so bad at this. I’ll never get it right.”
Self-Compassionate Response:
“I had a tough day, but I tried my best. I’ll learn from this experience and do better next time.”
Takeaway: Self-compassion is a skill that takes time to develop, but with the right guidance, you can become your own best supporter.
Do You Need Positive Psychology Coaching?
You might be asking, “Do I need positive psychology coaching to feel happy?”
The answer: It’s not just about happiness—it’s about flourishing.
Happiness is short-term. You can feel happy by eating your favorite food, spending time with friends, or achieving a goal. But happiness often depends on external factors and can quickly turn into disappointment when expectations aren’t met.
Well-being, on the other hand, is long-lasting. It’s about creating a life that feels fulfilling, no matter what comes your way.
The 5 Pillars of Well-Being
Positive psychology focuses on 5 core pillars of well-being:
1. Positive Emotions: Cultivating gratitude, joy, and optimism.
2. Engagement: Finding activities that fully absorb and energize you.
3. Relationships: Building strong, meaningful connections.
4. Meaning: Living with purpose and contributing to something bigger.
5. Accomplishments: Setting and achieving goals that matter to you.
Working on these pillars helps you flourish, not just survive.
How Positive Psychology Is Different
Let’s compare how traditional psychology and positive psychology approach well-being:
Traditional Psychology:
• Focus: Fixing problems like stress, anxiety, or sadness.
• Example: “Why do you feel stressed? What made you feel sad?”
Positive Psychology:
• Focus: Building strengths and focusing on what’s going well.
• Example: “What went well for you today? What are you grateful for?”
Key Point: Traditional psychology is essential for addressing mental health disorders like major depression or trauma. But when combined with positive psychology, the benefits multiply.
Does positive psychology ignore pain?
Absolutely not. It helps you recognize your struggles, accept them, and shift focus to what’s going well.”
Are you ready to take the first step toward flourishing? Whether you're an individual seeking personal growth or an organization looking to enhance workplace well-being, Angela is here for help :)
👉 Book a free consultation today to explore how positive psychology coaching can transform your life or workplace. Let’s work together to create a brighter, more resilient future.
