#positive-psychology

#positive-psychology

There is something strangely refreshing about the new year. Perhaps it's the sense that time coheres into a neat box, or the psychological appeal of getting a brand-new start. Culturally, humans have an intuitive understanding that the new year is a time for stock-taking. In matters of the heart, this seasonal pause offers an opportunity to recalibrate with a spirit of intentionality. Couples that succeed are the ones that regularly have honest conversations.

I can honestly say the expression of appreciation by others was regularly awkward to receive, yet contributed significantly to my well-being. I later learned that receiving appreciation with grace not only eased that comfort level but was also a gift to the other person. Now, in this stage of my life, I am very intentional about expressing my appreciation for those still wearing the badge, and I approach the moment with authenticity and an understanding of how my expression may be received.

Ein Freund, ein guter Freund, ist das Beste was es gibt auf der Welt [A friend, a good friend, is the best thing you can have in this world].―The Comedian Harmonists I dedicate this essay to my friend Gerhard Almstedt, who was taken from us in 2023. Friendship is an underappreciated topic in psychological research, although having good friends is one of the cornerstones of a successful and rewarding social life. It is a source of happiness (Pezirkianidis et al., 2023).

Before the social media era, we super social humans were more than willing to dole out advice to anyone who asked. But with advice being thrown our way every time we pick up our phone, which young people do on average over a hundred times a day, it's easy to feel a bit overwhelmed and confused by the many voices telling us how we should live our lives.

Ever get caught in a negative thought spiral? It can happen after a minor inconvenience or misunderstanding, like when you forget to buy oat milk or your friend doesn't immediately text back. Instead of laughing it off, your brain overthinks it - I suck at everything, nobody likes me, etc. - and suddenly it feels like the world is ending.

The late James Doty, a neurosurgeon and professor at Stanford University, wrote in his 2024 book "Mind Magic" about how meditation paired with repetition of messages can change a person's subconscious. This could look like closing your eyes before bed to relax, meditating and visualizing an intention like earning a new job title or mastering piano. Afterward, write the intention on a piece of paper and keep it nearby, reading it often.

Joy has the unique potential, compared with happiness, to foster well-being derived from living in alignment with one’s values, purpose, and personal growth.

Though it may seem obvious what hope is, we wanted to offer a way to define it. Hope is not just optimism; it's the longing for positive change even amid challenges.

Most people grapple with aspects of themselves they wish to enhance. A meaningful life can stem from aligning personal values with behaviors, leading to better choices in difficult situations.