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Ann Arbor, MI 48104
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Affiliates:
Brian Ashin, MSW
Fernando Colón, Ph.D.
Kate Drinkwater, MSW
Douglas Ensor, Ph.D.
Paul Estenson, Ph.D.
Manal Assi Houmani, MD
Moira Hubbard, Psy.D.
Emily Jernberg, Ph.D.
Judith Kleinman, MD
Lori Lichtman, Psy.D.
Andrew Orosan-Weine, Ph.D.
Ellen Barahal Taylor, Ph.D.
Mary Whiteside, Ph.D.
Administrative Staff:
Chris Wozniak
Nancy Yonkman
Marcie Komanecky
Editor:
Patricia Pasick, Ph.D.
In this Issue:
More Positive Psychology
Eight Ways to Practice Positive Psychology
Divorce Mediation:
A Strength Based Alternative
Ann Arbor Center for the Family Current Events
Home
Positive psychology is about how people feel and think when they are flourishing and in a state of well-being.
It's based on the idea that if people can learn to be more resilient and optimistic, and draw on their strengths, they'll be less likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. This, in turn, improves relationships, health, productivity, and energy for the future.
Part of the focus is on practicing or re-learning optimism, disputing catastrophic thinking, and learning to draw more regularly on strengths and positive images and self-statements.
Practicing positive psychology does not mean ignoring things that need to be healed, or bypassing feelings like anger, vulnerability, sadness, or worry. Bad things happen to good people, and good people can act badly. And negative feelings and thoughts often follow in the aftermath.
Contrary to the myth, it is not selfish to pursue personal well-being. Contented people are more sociable, creative, and productive members of families and societies. Unhappy people are more likely to be self-focused and withdrawn from others.
Martin Seligman, one of the psychologists at the forefront of positive approaches to solving problems, is quick to point out that a positive psychology is not the same as feeling good:
"Our culture has invited myriad shortcuts to feeling good without going to the trouble of using our strengths ands virtues. Shopping, drugs, chocolate, and television are all examples."
When negatives are not buffered by feelings like enjoyment, playfulness, contentment, satisfaction, warm friendship, love, and affection, people are more vulnerable to illness.
Experiencing positive feelings often result in that subjective state of happiness. Happy persons seem to manage bad events better, they tend to bounce back faster.
"Like the fish who is unaware of the water in which it swims, we take for granted a certain amount of hope, love, enjoyment, and trust because these are the very conditions that allow us to go on living."