Positive Psychology

POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY HELPING IN CENTRAL LONDON, READING AND DIDCOT

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Positive Psychology is a comparatively new and intersting field of psychology which concentrates of how to make things better for the person and concentrates on these aspects. Whereas in mainstream psychology the basis on why things go wrong and trying to understand why. Positive psychology is only really interested in how to make things go right and because of this the results are both better and also quicker yielding vast improvements and increased levels of positive feelings and overall happiness in a short space of time.

Positive Psychology itself is founded on the belief that people want to lead happy, meaningful and fulfilling lives, to cultivate what is best within themselves, and to enhance their experiences of love, work, and play. Some ways in which it can help is by focusing on what you want and how to achieve that by using positive qualities, strengths, capabilities, values, beliefs and affirmations.

It is known that reducing stress and anxiety reduces blood pressure, the heart rate and improve the immune system; and by focusing on ideas around positive thought, actions and creating a healthier and more beneficial environment those individuals will feel better within themselves and thrive. By using a combination of ideas from positive psychology, hypnosis, NLP, breathing techniques, EFT and other ideas that may benefit you such as exercise, healthy eating, meditation and others we can work on improving your life and getting the results you desire and deserve.

Some of the main ideas and principals we will be using come from the ideas of

Martin Seligman the author and originator of Authentic Happiness of which came the idea of positive psychology and the outlook of what can go right. Authentic happiness itself is based around 6 character strengths Wisdom/ Knowledge, Courage, Humanity, Justice Temperance and Transcendence – all of which are then divided into sub groups. He also formulated the ideas around learned helplessness in which although one change the outcome of a learned reaction/ behaviour that they don’t – of course this can be changed.

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi who introduced the idea of Flow and that we are happiest when we are in a state of flow or flowing, when they are fully immersed in what they are doing which in turn leads on to feelings of engagement, absorption and fulfilment.The state of flow is obviously better when we are totally enjoying the activity however we can also do this can also be achieved with changes in our mental state whilst completing other tasks.

Abraham Maslow with the hierarchy of needs – this is based on the theory that people have a strong desire to realise their potential and reach the level of Self Actualisation. The hierarchy is –

Physiological – food, water, excretion, sleep, homeostasis and sex

Safety – security: of body, employment, the family, health, property, morality and resources

Love and Belonging – family, friendship and sexual intimacy

Esteem – self-esteem, confidence, achievement, worthiness, respect by others and respect of others

Self Actualisation – morality, creativity, spontaneity, problem solving, lack of prejudice and acceptance of facts

(Within NLP there is a similar system called the Neuro-Logical Levels of which we will be using as well, in brief these levels are Environmental, Behaviours, Capabilities, Beliefs and Values, the Identity level and a Spiritual, source or Higher Purpose Level)

Barbara Lee Fredrickson and her work around broadening and building positive emotions and from there that positive lead on to greater, expansive and novel experiences and behaviours; then over time these will lead on to better and greater long-term benefits around relationships both with others and internally.

Some general information on Positive Psychology from Wikipedia – HERE

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