Healthy Living through Enforcement of Positive Psychology - Coursework Example

Running heading: HEALTH LIVING THROUGH ENFORCEMENT OF POSITIVE 1 PSYCHOLOGY Introduction Good health is synonymous to variously as happiness, satisfaction, enjoyment, contentment, engagement, fulfilment or a combination of these, and other, hedonic and eudemonic factors. (Haworth and Hart 2007) With the professional development of scientific disciplines, the focus of intervention for health related areas has historically more often been on the reduction of pain, suffering and deficiencies rather than on the development of individual and collective abilities. The emphasis on positive psychological as a factors protective of physical, mental health, especially the relation that exists between these positive psychological states, it’s possible to achieve a greater psychological, social and community development. Positive psychological factors may have such a strong relationship with health as negative ones. As for the latter a great amount of data has accumulated over the years. Negative expectations associated not only with quicker progression towards death in patients diagnosed with AIDS or cancer but also to a faster onset of symptoms in those patients who had initially been healthy. (Biswas-Diener et al 2011) though in the other hand new investigations on the ability to being hopeful as unrealistic and the ability to find meaning in face of adversity seem to be physical health protective factors. (Diener and Chan 2011) This study investigated varies types of mental states that do promote positive health and wellbeing. Studies on the prevention of mental health indicates that there are some positive strengths that acts as deterrent against diseases. (Seligman and Csikszentmihalyi 2000) HEALTH LIVING THROUGH ENFORCEMENT OF POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 2 At the present most organisations are adopting positive psychology principles in their human resource management. Whereby they have taken it as the first option to improve performance output of their employees through job satisfaction rather than huge salaries, as indicated in the criteria for strength of character developed a set of 10 criteria for an attribute to be considered in their list of character strengths and virtues. However, character strength and values largely determine how a person adopts in a multicultural society, this study focuses on how individuals fit in. In addition, good character and values could lead to the production of better results, being humble and showing humility in challenging situations is more valued than showing it when one needs help. Strength needs to manifest at an individual level through behaviour change, thoughts, feeling and actions. Therefore, it should be manifested at all times, in every day life, and it ought to be stable over time. That the good character is a special and should stand on its own and mental strengths appreciated, valued across all cultures and traditions. To benefit out of this good mental character one should apply it at every situation in everyday life to improve their health. That is the mental strength plays an important role, on the wellbeing of individuals and how well the cope with difficult situations in life, those who adopted positive when young, do manage to stay positive in the most difficult moment as adults. Conversely, another indication of mental strength is the presence of individuals who manifest a lack of mental strengths whenever they are faced with difficult moment, but show it when everything id normal. Communities have varies mechanisms in which they train and teach about good character, mental strength and value based virtues. HEALTH LIVING THROUGH ENFORCEMENT OF POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 3 Ways to reinforce positive psychology. Flow Flow is state of mind that involves meditation, concentration, participation and absorption on a particular object or task to achieve this state one has to block all other thoughts and emotions to concentrate on the task at hand. The mind and body should ideal work freely, so as to have a peace and smooth flow of relaxation and peace of mind. Nakumura and group did research on how to have a peace of mind, relax and enjoy life to it is fullest. They investigated the life’s’ of people who were creative such as artists, engineers, writers, musicians and actors, who reported to have performed at their best when their minds were relaxed and through hunches. A passive flow experience occurs especially when one engaged in a activity which is different from their profession like having a walk, lying on bed, meditating or listening to music. and an active flow experience occurs when one is performing or working on a task, that is challenging enough to make one think hard, at this moment one may be inspired to, such as extent that a difficult task performed with easy then when there is no inspirations. Even though passive flow may produce a suitable mental state to perform a difficult task it takes long time while the active form does produce a mental state that is long lasting to benefit our mental health. The inactive flow shows some benefits in inducing optimum creativity that boosts our psychological well being, while active flow has the achievement component that is lacking in the case of inactive flow. Therefore, creating mental states that is conducive to the growth of good mental health. (Nakamura and Csikszentmihalyi 2009) HEALTH LIVING THROUGH ENFORCEMENT OF POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 4 Positive emotion Positive emotions serve only to augment our good health and depend on the benefits accrued from those experiences that induce positive moments. The experiences of positive emotion do vary in terms of the pleasure experienced; one could either enjoy or feel sad. Like, in the case of pain which tends to lead to rigidity, happy moments leads one to be cheerful, motivated, explorative, inspired and brave, to continue being happy, and to cope up with difficult situations, which has the capacity or ability to lead to higher mental growth and fulfilling wellbeing. This leads to having a higher mental state that promotes good mental wellbeing which in turn creating satisfaction and contentment which leads to health living. (Waugh and Fredrickson 2006) Being Optimistic This is a form of mental state that enables one to carry on despite the obstacle on the way; an optimistic person does not give up, even when there seems to be no way a head. (Carver et al 2009) Optimism acts as a buffer during the times of need where one has to fight or struggle to survive a tragic moment, which reduces stress and promotes good health living. Hope This involves a set target and the chances of achieving it bearing in mind all the necessary steps of achieving it. On the other hand hope does not exist in a situation where one is sure of achieving or when not sure of attaining the gaol. Therefore, when we hope in the presences of uncertainty about any situation in our lives, then we have a HEALTH LIVING THROUGH ENFORCEMENT OF POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 5 chance of boosting our immunity system which in turn boosts our health. (Hazlett et al 2011) Resolve and self-motivation There is a direct connection between good psychological mental state before a tragic moment and resultant resolve to move on. This indicates that the level of mental psychological state prevents the effects of the tragedy from weakness that may prevent healing; the same way a good immune response takes place to reduce chances of infection. In addition, observations indicate that persons who are confident and self motive they seem to be more competent than is possible, usually show a high resolve and resilience. Self-motivation acts as booster to good mental health which leads to positive images which refers to holding beliefs beyond what would normally be considered realistic. People who exhibit the tendency to positive images express self-aggrandising perceptions about themselves; this helps them to adjust to tragic situations, like is the case of diseases. With the self-confidence and resolve to move on, this promotes the fight to survive and live through the tragic moments. Individuals who do exhibit this kind of resolve usually do have a positive attitude towards life and they do manage to cope better, when it comes to being health. (Bonanno2004) Self-efficacy benefits This is a good character connected to several mental health and proper psychological adjustment to stress and pressure. This is due to the feeling of personal self control and the ability to cope with any difficult moment. On the other hand, low self-efficacy to meet the challenge. HEALTH LIVING THROUGH ENFORCEMENT OF POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 6 If you are confident in your ability to make friends in a new city, then you will likely feel more comfortable and settle into your new environment better than someone who is not confident, and therefore shies away from social opportunities. Individuals with self confidence are usually read to adopt activities that promote wellbeing and they tend to be healthier. How relationships affect physical health Married couples who had a poor relationship that lacked proper communication manifested a compromised immunity experienced more cases of infections than those who were in a good relationship and communicated properly. There were indications that women performed better than men psychologically as result were able to recover faster than men with a similar infection. According to Algoe and group, studies investigated the time taken for couples to heal from a blister wound, they observed a set if two group of women, one set had a couples who had a good relation and were happy together and another set had women who experienced some level of difficulties in their relationships and were not happy. All admitted to hospital four about a day, bricked to produce a standard would, then their vitals recorded, and the time taken for the wound to heal. The data analysed, and the results indicated that the wounds of those women who were in a good relationship and happy their wounds healed faster than those under hostile relationships. (Algoe et al 2010) clearly indicating the role of support in a relationship to the well being of couples. HEALTH LIVING THROUGH ENFORCEMENT OF POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 7 Creativity Some studies do indicate that being creative one is able to solve many problems, assimilate, be confident and experience good health. This indicates that being creative enhances good psychological and mental health. It as been observed among several creative individual, who engage in arts, music and writing are less prone to stress, depression and other related illness. Happiness at work Happiness and satisfaction make individuals more efficient and effective at work because they enjoy and satisfied. According to Steger and Dik they suggested that joy, job satisfaction, confident and happy individuals at work indicates that those workers who were satisfied with their work earned performed better than those who were not happy with their work. Further, states that performance related to the level of satisfaction and being apart of the organization. There were varies attributes that cited as being the reason for these high performance, employees who felt as apart of the organization, proper appraisal and feedback from their employers did perform better and their efficiency increased. The improved performance elicited wider thinking that generated more thoughts for the organisations to improve their workplace traditions through appraisal, feedback, training and being creative. And employers used this to create and promote ways and means through which their employers would feel valued, respected, appreciated, and have an chance of promotion and career development, (Steger and Dik 2010)  HEALTH LIVING THROUGH ENFORCEMENT OF POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 8 Because of a favorable working environment, the employees less stressed, depressed and do enjoy their work. This positive work environment directly plays a role on the level of immunity among works, the most satisfied and happy works do experience good health as compared to those who work under stress and unfavorable environment. Religion, spirituality and positive emotion There are varies studies on the role of religion and spirituality on the mental health of individual. The individuals, who believed on spirituality, had an inner strength that they used to overcome most of the challenges they went through. This may be attributed to the hope and conviction they had that God will help them overcome their tragedies, and a result read more of His word that encouraged them to keep fighting and pushing for one day they will be able of achieve their goals. Faith creates positive beliefs that become associated with spiritual practices. (Diener and Biswas-Diener2008) We all belief that the doctors treat diseases and God heals, people who are spiritual tend to recover faster than those who do not belief, and attributed to the positive belief of healing power of God. (Thrash and Elliot 2003) HEALTH LIVING THROUGH ENFORCEMENT OF POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 9 Reference list Haworth J and G Hart (2007) Good health from communities perspectives of individual role. Basingstoke Palgrave Macmillan. Waugh C and Fredrickson (2006) knowing and complex understanding of relationship through positive psychology. Positive Psychology Journal 1, 93–106 Nakamura J and Csikszentmihalyi M (2009) Flow and meditation 195-206. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Bonanno G A. (2004) resilience in the moment of adversity. American Psychologist, 59, 20-28. Carver C S, Scheier M F, Miller CJ and Fulford D. (2009) Optimism Positive Psychology, 303-311. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Hazlett A, Sacket A and Molden D (2011) preparation for the better or worse Social Cognition, (29) 74-96. Biswas D, Kashdan T and Minhas G (2011) mental strength development. Positive Psychology Journal, (6) 106-118. Thrash T M and Elliot A J. (2003) Inspiration to promote positive psychology. Personality and Social Psychology Journal, (84) 871-889. Algoe B, Gable S and Maisel N (2010) Everyday appreciation a booster for relationships. Personal Relationships, (17) 217-233. Diener E and Biswas-Diener R. (2008) Religion, spirituality, and happiness. pp. 112-126. HEALTH LIVING THROUGH ENFORCEMENT OF POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 10 Steger M F and Dik B J. (2010) Work as meaning.  Positive psychology and work pp.131-142. Diener E and Chan M Y. (2011) Subjective well-being contributes to health. Applied Psychology 3, 1-43. Seligman M E P and Csikszentmihalyi M (2000) An Introduction to positive psychology. American Psychologist, 55, 5-14. Read More

That is the mental strength plays an important role, on the wellbeing of individuals and how well the cope with difficult situations in life, those who adopted positive when young, do manage to stay positive in the most difficult moment as adults. Conversely, another indication of mental strength is the presence of individuals who manifest a lack of mental strengths whenever they are faced with difficult moment, but show it when everything id normal. Communities have varies mechanisms in which they train and teach about good character, mental strength and value based virtues.

HEALTH LIVING THROUGH ENFORCEMENT OF POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 3 Ways to reinforce positive psychology. Flow Flow is state of mind that involves meditation, concentration, participation and absorption on a particular object or task to achieve this state one has to block all other thoughts and emotions to concentrate on the task at hand. The mind and body should ideal work freely, so as to have a peace and smooth flow of relaxation and peace of mind. Nakumura and group did research on how to have a peace of mind, relax and enjoy life to it is fullest.

They investigated the life’s’ of people who were creative such as artists, engineers, writers, musicians and actors, who reported to have performed at their best when their minds were relaxed and through hunches. A passive flow experience occurs especially when one engaged in a activity which is different from their profession like having a walk, lying on bed, meditating or listening to music. and an active flow experience occurs when one is performing or working on a task, that is challenging enough to make one think hard, at this moment one may be inspired to, such as extent that a difficult task performed with easy then when there is no inspirations.

Even though passive flow may produce a suitable mental state to perform a difficult task it takes long time while the active form does produce a mental state that is long lasting to benefit our mental health. The inactive flow shows some benefits in inducing optimum creativity that boosts our psychological well being, while active flow has the achievement component that is lacking in the case of inactive flow. Therefore, creating mental states that is conducive to the growth of good mental health.

(Nakamura and Csikszentmihalyi 2009) HEALTH LIVING THROUGH ENFORCEMENT OF POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 4 Positive emotion Positive emotions serve only to augment our good health and depend on the benefits accrued from those experiences that induce positive moments. The experiences of positive emotion do vary in terms of the pleasure experienced; one could either enjoy or feel sad. Like, in the case of pain which tends to lead to rigidity, happy moments leads one to be cheerful, motivated, explorative, inspired and brave, to continue being happy, and to cope up with difficult situations, which has the capacity or ability to lead to higher mental growth and fulfilling wellbeing.

This leads to having a higher mental state that promotes good mental wellbeing which in turn creating satisfaction and contentment which leads to health living. (Waugh and Fredrickson 2006) Being Optimistic This is a form of mental state that enables one to carry on despite the obstacle on the way; an optimistic person does not give up, even when there seems to be no way a head. (Carver et al 2009) Optimism acts as a buffer during the times of need where one has to fight or struggle to survive a tragic moment, which reduces stress and promotes good health living.

Hope This involves a set target and the chances of achieving it bearing in mind all the necessary steps of achieving it. On the other hand hope does not exist in a situation where one is sure of achieving or when not sure of attaining the gaol. Therefore, when we hope in the presences of uncertainty about any situation in our lives, then we have a HEALTH LIVING THROUGH ENFORCEMENT OF POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 5 chance of boosting our immunity system which in turn boosts our health.

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