The Positive Psychology People

  Life transitions shake our identity, leaving us questioning who we are. Narrative therapy suggests we understand ourselves through stories, which can become limiting. Positive psychology helps reframe these narratives with self-compassion.    Re-authoring means examining old labels, recognizing our strengths and values, and building a truer identity. Rather than forced positivity, it's abou...

  Authenticity isn’t about rigidly “being yourself”; it’s about knowing your values, what gives life meaning, and choosing how to show up. We contain many selves, and adapting to different roles can still be authentic when it’s conscious and aligned with our core identity.  Authenticity supports well-being, confidence, and healthy relationships, but masking to fit in can be costly. Building authen...

Things that drive their interests. What are Strengths? It is a strength based approach; discovering your strengths and doing more activities that use them. In fact they will closely align with your values.  They make you feel like you! Some strengths might seem more relevant to your work and others more to your social life, but actually you can approach most activities using your key strengths. Ca...

I have previously covered Working with your Intentions, and also Meeting your Inner Vulnerability. Context matters, as does your individual preferences. Of course, there are many more ways to build habits that help you keep perspective and manage your emotional responses that are not listed in the PAFD.  My research found that other people only account for some of what is important for people to f...

[] How can positive psychology help with confidence, isn’t it just about being happy? Wrong! Positive psychology is much more than a ‘happyology’. It is about focusing on the good in yourself, in the work you do and in the community around you. It is the scientific study of what makes life worth living, focusing on our strengths, values, and wellbeing. The key study areas in positive psychology al...

[] When positive psychology first arrived on the scene its mission statement was to help the average person move beyond ‘getting by’ and support them to actually flourish. But 25 years later, if my work as a Positive Psychology Coach is anything to go by, more and more people are seeking out positive psychology as a solution to their ongoing low (and not so low) levels of mental distress. Anxiety...

After her daughter fell ill with a virus, a mother trusted her intuition and rushed to A&E when the child couldn’t keep fluids down and became lethargic. Her daughter was diagnosed with Ketotic Hypoglycaemia, requiring overnight hospitalization and IV fluids.  The nurse praised the mother’s quick action, saying delayed treatment could have had serious consequences. The experience taught her ab...

Positive psychology, initially focused on flourishing, now frequently helps people manage high levels of stress and anxiety. Stress is a response to external pressures, while anxiety is an internal state of apprehension; chronic instances negatively impact health.  Positive psychology provides evidence-based strategies like mindfulness, focusing on positive emotions, setting boundaries, maintainin...

The Deep Dive discusses Tracy Bevan’s article on how Positive Psychology can be used to manage stress and anxiety. Positive psychology, initially focused on flourishing, now frequently helps people manage high levels of stress and anxiety. Stress is a response to external pressures, while anxiety is an internal state of apprehension; chronic instances negatively impact health.  Positive psychology...

The provided texts primarily describe the Masters of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) programme offered by Buckinghamshire New University and an associated online introductory course from positivepsychologyonlinecourses.com. This master's degree, pronounced "map", aims to enhance both career prospects and personal wellbeing through the study of human flourishing.  The introductory...

This is a Deep Dive Podcast, discussing an article titled "Working With Intentions" by Lisa Jones

This blog post by Lesley Lyle highlights the significance of World Laughter Day on May 4th, 2025 , emphasising laughter's crucial role in wellbeing, especially during challenging times when opportunities for genuine laughter can be scarce. It explores the physical, psychological, and spiritual benefits of laughter , supported by research indicating its positive impact on stress, immunity, pai...

This blog post from "Working With Intentions" outlines the Intentions component of a model developed by Lisa Jones to aid in navigating career transitions, building upon positive psychology principles. It emphasises the importance of self-awareness , gained through understanding one's core values and sense of self , as foundational for setting meaningful intentions.  The author sugg...

Being kind has a positive impact on the ‘giver’ too. Even witnessing acts of kindness can have a positive impact. How is that? Being kind builds our connection with others. Find the ways you enjoy being kind. A classic positive psychology exercise is Three Kind Things. Don’t Forget Yourself People with Kindness high in their strength profile can, at times, feel they have given too much. This is of...

This article emphasizes how positive psychology can enhance employee well-being by fostering strengths, resilience, and a positive workplace culture. It highlights strategies such as gratitude practices, mindfulness, and recognising employee achievements to boost morale and job satisfaction.  Organisations can improve productivity, mental health, and employee engagement by focusing on strengths an...

Embarking on a career transition post-Ph. D., I'm filled with anxiety about the unknown, relying on Thomas Fuller’s adage for comfort. Positive psychology is my guide through this transition. Instead of setting SMART goals, I've created a visual 'Best Possible Self' representation to visualize my future researcher self. Literature reveals fragmented data on successful job trans...

Positive psychology in dystopian fiction highlights human resilience amid adversity, offering hope and potential for positive change. It emphasizes cultivating strengths, gratitude, relationships, and purpose for well-being.  In real life, overwhelming information can lead to indifference, but positive thinking reframes challenges as growth opportunities. By shifting perspectives, embracing growth...

The convergence of positive psychology and AI offers transformative potential, enabling personalised interventions, scalability, and enhanced data analysis. However, ethical concerns arise, such as privacy, bias, autonomy, and accessibility. AI-powered mental health apps, personalized coaching, and AI-driven research highlight its real-world applications. Mitigating risks requires ethical guidelin...

Positive psychology and existentialism, despite their differences, complement each other. They both emphasise meaning, acceptance, authenticity, and freedom for a fulfilling life. By integrating these principles, individuals can cultivate resilience, self-awareness, and well-being. This approach provides a deeper insight into happiness and purpose, ultimately leading to a more enriched and meaning...

Emotional effort can be draining, whether at work or in personal relationships. It is important to recognise and replenish our emotional resources to avoid burnout. Self-awareness, setting boundaries, and practising self-care are key to maintaining emotional well-being. Positive Being Coaching can help you reconnect with yourself and build a life of positive well-being. Take care of your emotional...

Toxic positivity involves focusing only on positive emotions and denying negative ones, which can be harmful. All emotions are valid and should be accepted. It is important to listen with compassion to others' struggles instead of trying to fix their problems or dismiss their feelings. Embracing all emotions mindfully can lead to increased well-being. It is important to be self-aware and not...

Happiness is often viewed as the ultimate goal, but an exclusive focus on it can obscure the importance of other emotions like sadness, anger, and fear, which play vital roles in our lives. Pursuing perpetual happiness can suppress authentic emotions and hinder genuine connections. Emotional fluidity, the ability to experience and express a full range of emotions, fosters resilience and personal g...

Positive psychology emphasises a broad perspective, cautioning against oversimplification. Quick fixes can be counterproductive, as happiness is individual. Personal preferences, strengths, and meaningful activities enhance well-being more effectively than generic advice. For instance, gratitude practices work best when one already feels content. Positive psychology is not just about happiness; it...

This article discusses how overcoming setbacks and maintaining hope is essential for achieving personal goals. It introduces Hope Theory by Charles Snyder, emphasising the importance of maintaining a positive outlook (agency) and finding multiple methods (pathways) to achieve objectives. The feeling of hope is compared to physical sensations like butterflies and a quickened heartbeat. Techniques t...

At the 2024 World Happiness Summit in London, Dr. Arthur Brooks delivered an insightful speech, urging a redefinition of happiness beyond fleeting pleasure to a state of meaningful satisfaction involving enjoyment, satisfaction, and meaning. He emphasized the dangers of focusing solely on pleasure, highlighted the role of the human brain's components in emotional processing, and advocated for...