We are all being bombarded with information, images and advice about the current virus pandemic. It is be easy to become alarmed by what we see and hear. One of the many great things about positive psychology is that it some of its tools and techniques are more effective in difficult times
If all we focus on is what to do after things have already begun to go wrong, we are missing out on a huge opportunity to do more about promoting those things that can go right.
Decades of research shows that positive education has a powerful, positive impact on pupils (and on teachers). They can improve academic performance as well as wellbeing and can easily be folded into how teachers deliver their daily lessons.
For me one of the most important aspects of teaching grit, determination and perseverance (which I believe are pivotal aspects of growth mindset) is understanding that failure does not define you.
From workplaces to schools, from social media to TV shows it seems to me we are missing something important – how we can flourish and thrive both mentally and physically.
Fortunately, compassion is a developable trait. There is not a set amount of compassion that you are born with, and that you then use up through life. We can learn to become more compassionate. We can practice it and build it as a skill.
How many times a day does your child hear that they are stupid, useless or worthless? Would you be horrified to discover it is probably dozens of times? No matter where they are or what they are doing they will hear these things because they are spoke by the voice in their heads – their inner critic.
This series of articles exploring the truth behind the buzz about resilience concludes with a look at wellbeing.
For the third article of the series looking at the truth behind the buzz about resilience, I’m going to examine bounce back.
Feelings of control are incredibly important. During the 10 years I ran the national research project into work related stress – the 24-7 survey – we discovered something very telling about the impact of control.