Positive Psychology 101: Why “How Do I Live Well?” Is Replacing “How Do I Cope?”

Over the past decade I have been noticing a shift in the way we talk about therapy, and this has also evolved into the types of questions that individuals ask when they come to a first appointment. Approximately ten years ago the most common opening line was "How can I deal with this." Increasingly the opening lines have moved toward "How can I create a life, and develop relationships that I would like to participate in?"

The field of psychology has historically focused on problems that occur within the mind (i.e., psychological distress, symptoms, dysfunction, etc.), and while many continue to provide clinically relevant services within this domain; psychology's approach to assisting others has evolved. Another question that continues to grow in importance is "How do individuals lead their daily lives in a way that is psychologically healthy, meaningful, and fulfilling?"

One of the primary issues being examined by positive psychology is exactly this. Positive psychology provides a framework for considering and discussing the concept of wellbeing in India, where discussions regarding mental health are increasing in visibility, but are often reduced to simply feeling happy.

What is positive psychology?

A major aspect of the development of positive psychology was to enhance our understanding of those factors associated with positive experiences, e.g. strength, positive emotion, social connection/relationships, meaning/purpose, flow/engagement, and accomplishment.

It is imperative to distinguish between studying positive experiences and "Thinking positively". Positive psychology is not an encouragement to view the world optimistically regardless of reality. It is not merely a type of motivation/self-help. An individual may feel sad, angry, fearful/disappointed and yet possess meaningful relationships, a sense of purpose and live a mentally healthy life. In fact, making space for negative feelings is a more realistic representation of wellbeing.

Two points are easy to lose in the "popularized" versions. First, positive psychology is complementary to coping strategies-not replacing them. Second, positive psychology does not replace treatments for depression/anxiety/trauma/etc. This will continue to be provided through evidence-based therapies and/or psychopharmacological interventions.

The Shift From “How do I cope?” to “How do I live well?”

Reducing psychological distress is a primary objective of mental-health care. However, reducing symptoms (the manifestations of mental illness) is not the equivalent of promoting wellbeing. A major transition has occurred in the nature of the questions asked. Rather than merely asking, "How do I reduce my distress?" some may now ask themselves, "What type of life am I building?"

The distinction is important since the mere absence of mental illness does not assure the presence of psychological wellbeing. Mental health encompasses a much broader definition than simply the absence of symptoms! It provides the opportunity for psychological care to incorporate a wide variety of human experiences into its assessment: functioning; connection; agency; purpose; and the ability to interact positively with life.

What does “living well” actually mean?

There is no single formula for wellbeing, and no one psychological model captures the whole of a good life. Different approaches to positive psychology have highlighted overlapping dimensions.

Positive emotions such as gratitude, interest, love, contentment, or joy can add to one's overall wellbeing. However, experiencing frequent positive emotions does not equate to living a good life.

Engagement in an activity (often referred to as "in the flow") can add to a persons' engagement level. This state often occurs when a person is involved in work, creating something, making music, exercising or engaging in other personally significant activities.

Relationships or connections to others are also an important element. Having supportive and reciprocal connections with others can foster feelings of belongingness, intimacy and understanding. While personal achievements are valuable, the quality of one's relationships with others are equally vital for many individuals who live well.

Meaning and purpose involves perceiving one's own existence as meaningful or directed. Purpose does not need to be an exceptional mission. It could be providing for oneself and/or others; raising children; developing a career; caring for loved ones; creating works of art; serving a community; or practicing according to strong values.

Strengths refer to consistent ways of thinking, feeling, or acting), can redirect focus away from one's deficits toward what they/they possess and can utilize productively.

Accomplishment through learning, mastering skills and achieving one's own valued objectives can also promote wellbeing. Achievements do not always have to result in professional success or continuous productivity.

Contemporary psychological approaches also emphasise resilience, psychological flexibility and healthy functioning-the ability to respond to changing circumstances, experience difficult emotions without being overwhelmed by them, and continue moving towards what matters.

Positive psychology in clinical practice

Positive psychology could be viewed as complementary to clinical psychology, not competitive. In psychotherapy, for example, a therapist may assist an individual to find their past strengths (which had been ignored) during times of distress. During therapy, individuals may also begin to engage in previously valued activities again, strengthen previously strained relationships, determine their values, or explore the meaning of their lives.

For example, someone who has experienced depression may start to rebuild a life containing both connection and purpose after receiving effective treatment for their depressive symptoms. Similarly, someone going through a major transition, may explore their values and identity as much as learn how to effectively manage their stress. This is not saying that positive psychology replaces assessment and/or treatment.

Positive psychology in India: Rethinking what success means

As interest in applying positive psychology grows within India, this movement can also be seen as a reflection of the changing dialogues regarding what it means to lead a successful life. While many people still place high value upon items such as academic achievement, career advancement, financial security, or meeting familial expectations; there is increasingly more talk among Indians regarding achieving a good balance between work and home life, developing stronger interpersonal connections, identifying/clarifying individual values, maintaining greater control over one’s life decisions, and overall quality of life.

As a result of this dialogue, we are often faced with difficult choices. A student may graduate academically but feel disconnected from their true desires. A professional may have achieved status based on traditional measures of success yet experience little fulfillment or sense of meaning. An individual may enjoy the support of their family yet lack clarity around their personal values and identity.

Positive Psychology does not provide an answer to these types of dilemmas. It simply offers new concepts and research data to allow individuals to expand their thinking about wellbeing and inquire into those aspects of life that are truly important to them.

The practices that positive psychology has studied are simple. A gratitude practice can easily turn into a list if completed without thoughtfulness. If a person completes a gratitude practice thoughtfully-i.e., regularly, specifically for an individual, and periodically-that person may experience benefits that exceed writing down things they is thankful for in a journal.

It would be inaccurate to say that "how do I live well?" is simply substituting one type of question for another. Each question is valuable!