Positive psychology (PP) is a concept often misunderstood, as the name conjures images of toxic positivity and unrealistic emotional expectations. However, this realm of psychology is much more than just “being happy.” PP is defined by Psychology Today as “a branch of psychology focused on the character strengths and behaviors that allow individuals to build a life of meaning and purpose—to move beyond surviving to flourishing.” This means that, instead of focusing too much on our surroundings and environment, we take control of what we can, let go of the things we can’t, and use our strengths in order to build the life we want. The goal is no longer just to get through each day – it is to shape our experiences into what we want them to be and to be content.
So what does PP have to do with being a working mom? Learning the tenets of PP and integrating them into your day-to-day activities and mindset has been shown to improve a whole host of areas, including work satisfaction, emotional regulation, communication, and general contentment with life. Sounds great, right? Our new series will take us through components of positive psychology, explaining what they are, why they are relevant to you, and how you can incorporate them into your life. We will discuss personal values, parent-child communication, self-esteem, gratitude, and much more, and we’ll use a handy acronym to help remind us of the overall goal: VALUES CAN INSPIRE.
Ready to learn about how positive psychology can change your mindset for the better, one step at a time? Let’s go!
References & Further Reading
Kyriazos, T. A., & Stalikas, A. (2018). Positive parenting or positive psychology parenting? Towards a conceptual framework of positive psychology parenting. Psychology, 9(7), 1761-1788. http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=85939&#abstract
Martin, A. J. (2005). The role of positive psychology in enhancing satisfaction, motivation, and productivity in the workplace. Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, 24(1-2), 113-133. https://doi.org/10.1300/J075v24n01_07
Psychology Today. (n.d.). Positive psychology. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/positive-psychology
Waters, L. (2020). Using positive psychology interventions to strengthen family happiness: A family systems approach. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 15(5), 645-652. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2020.1789704