Yesterday in our class we learned about how to empower the counsellee using their own strengths to cope with the problem.
Each and every one of us have inherent strengths. Many a times we are unaware of these because we tend to focus on our weaknesses. It is certainly essential to understand our weaknesses and work towards overcoming them. But if our thoughts are completely occupied with these, our confidence reduces and that will make things worse.
Normally psychology concentrates on abnormal behaviors and treating mental illness. But positive psychology teaches people to change negative thinking, thereby creating more positive emotions.
Positive psychology has 3 different concerns which are positive emotions, positive traits and positive institutions. Positive emotions are being content with one's past, happy in present and hopeful of future. Positive traits are one's strengths and virtues. Positive institutions are study of meaning, purpose and strengths that create better communities such as parenting, justice, leadership, team work, work-ethic, civility etc.
If you want to read an introduction about positive psychology visit about.com . University of Pennsylvania has a website for positive psychology here.
When I get upset I start thinking "why the hell is this happening to me. Why can't I do anything properly. I don't know this thing. I can't do that thing. I should learn to be strong willed. I should learn to be not an introvert. But every time I say this, and then I forget everything". And the train of thoughts keeps on going like this. After I while, I am frustrated about this condescending self talk and just try to lose myself in TV and comfort foods.
But instead if I divert my attention and think about my strengths, any strengths, I feel happier, or at least less stressed. Let us say, I give myself a positive stroke :) Then I can think with a clear head and try to find some kind of solution to the problem.
This positive psychology is working for me. Some times at least. You should also give it a try.
Realize what are your strengths. Work on them as well as working on your weaknesses. Good luck!!
Each and every one of us have inherent strengths. Many a times we are unaware of these because we tend to focus on our weaknesses. It is certainly essential to understand our weaknesses and work towards overcoming them. But if our thoughts are completely occupied with these, our confidence reduces and that will make things worse.
Normally psychology concentrates on abnormal behaviors and treating mental illness. But positive psychology teaches people to change negative thinking, thereby creating more positive emotions.
Positive psychology has 3 different concerns which are positive emotions, positive traits and positive institutions. Positive emotions are being content with one's past, happy in present and hopeful of future. Positive traits are one's strengths and virtues. Positive institutions are study of meaning, purpose and strengths that create better communities such as parenting, justice, leadership, team work, work-ethic, civility etc.
If you want to read an introduction about positive psychology visit about.com . University of Pennsylvania has a website for positive psychology here.
When I get upset I start thinking "why the hell is this happening to me. Why can't I do anything properly. I don't know this thing. I can't do that thing. I should learn to be strong willed. I should learn to be not an introvert. But every time I say this, and then I forget everything". And the train of thoughts keeps on going like this. After I while, I am frustrated about this condescending self talk and just try to lose myself in TV and comfort foods.
But instead if I divert my attention and think about my strengths, any strengths, I feel happier, or at least less stressed. Let us say, I give myself a positive stroke :) Then I can think with a clear head and try to find some kind of solution to the problem.
This positive psychology is working for me. Some times at least. You should also give it a try.
Realize what are your strengths. Work on them as well as working on your weaknesses. Good luck!!
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