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Positive psychology, although still a rather new topic in psychology, has gained rapid popularity and has seen significant growth over the past several years since it was first coined by Martin Seligman in 1998.¹ It is unique from other areas of psychology in that it is focused on the study of what is going right in an individuals life, not what is going wrong. Positive psychology seeks to answer questions such as, what makes people who are happy, successful, and who have a sense of self-fulfillment different from those who are not? Its mission is to understand the factors that allow individuals, communities, and societies to flourish.²

The study of positive psychology involves three essential pillars: positive experiences (the study of contentment with the past, gratefulness in the present, and optimism for the future), positive individual traits (the study of personal strengths), and positive institutions (the study of what fosters better communities and work environments).³

How can we take the research that has been published in the field and apply it to enhance our own lives and well-being? Check out the upcoming posts next week which will highlight select positive psychology-related publications and theories as well as tips and tricks for applying these concepts into your daily life at a personal level and within the workplace. The upcoming posts next week (as well as additional posts which will be posted throughout Mental Health Awareness Month (May) by Maggie Kronz, Daniel Pons, and Cavan O’Kane) were created by ASHP New Practitioner’s Forum CDAG to provide you with helpful resources to improve your mental health and well-being. Upcoming topics include: positive psychology and how this can be applied to your personal and professional life to increase your levels of happiness and well-being, managing anxiety and depression, identifying your personal values and how to incorporate these values into your career to avoid burnout, imposter syndrome and how it may be affecting your mental wellness, how to handle a negative work environment, and how to be a wellness leader at your workplace. We hope you find these posts beneficial and give you a good starting point to help you be well!

References:

1. Azar B. Positive psychology advances, with growing pains. APA. 2011. Accessed from: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2011/04/positive-psychology
2. Fredrickson, BL. Am Psychol. 2001 Mar; 56(3): 218–226.
3. Positive Psychology Center. Our Mission. Penn Arts & Sciences. Accessed from: https://ppc.sas.upenn.edu/our-mission