by Lisa Jones | May, 2021 | Uncategorized
As a researcher and practitioner, I have noticed a gradual yet significant shift in the way we view the world. Gone is the reductionist research and interventions which aim to resolve issues by only looking at the issue from one narrow perspective. In comes the recognition that nothing and no one exists in isolation. This leaves everyone scratching their heads over how to understand things that are complex and still produce data that can be easily used to help others. Positive psychology is no different. As it moves through the ‘waves’, more and more attention is given to context and the impact of systems on interventions. If you are a positive psychologist, a student, or simply interesting in the topic, the aim of this post is to stimulate some reflection so you too can recognise the complexity in whatever you do. Riding the waves Those familiar with positive psychology will know about the metaphor of waves. The field started in the first wave where it focused on the positive. This took a new direction away from the negative. Positive psychology wanted to know what was right with people. But this was seen as too biased towards the positive. Life isn’t like that. Soon the second wave embraced negativity again and found the positive in the negative. The blend of positive and negative meant it was more recognisable in daily living. Hang on, a wave is really a multitude of organisms and energy! This last year with the pandemic has brought to the attention of all of us that the world is very interrelated and complex. We cannot...
by Aren Henry | March, 2021 | Clarity is . . ., Grit/Grace/Gratitude, Karen Henry, Light Life, Noetic Nomad, Uncategorized
Every morning, if we are lucky, the sun will rise. We are but one in seven and a half billion people who live that shared experience. This, and death are the only two things that we, as humans, share entirely and in certainty. For 200,000 years, humans who looked most like us have been on earth. The formal science of psychology? Approximately, 150 years. Very Well Mind stated that, “… the study of psychology has a very long past but a very short history.” One sub-field says ‘seek meaning’, while another says to find self-actualization and another still says, what are our peak experiences. There are times when these sub-fields collide. Do we study happiness or not? Why or why not? Does our belief system count? In my opinion, how can it not? Who are we to believe? We can count on the sun to rise Today, we have approximately, 4200 religions actively participating in a belief system. What we believe to be true, is true for each human being. How we go about understanding our species, that is also diverse. Have you tried having a conversation with someone who doesn’t believe what you believe lately? Who is to say that one is right and the others are all wrong? We can’t. To believe in something is part of the human experience. To believe that there is nothing to believe is active believing and that is something too. The sun rises in the east, but for each of us, east is somewhere else. I’m using this as a metaphor of course. One of the most liberating sun rises of...
by Aren Henry | February, 2021 | Clarity is . . ., Grit/Grace/Gratitude, Karen Henry, Light Life, Noetic Nomad, Uncategorized
‘Glow up’ is a new term to me. To Glow up is to go through a major transformation in the best possible way. Physically. Rebel Wilson, according to my Google search, has gone through a major Glow up. Neville, from Harry Potter, went through one of the most famous Glow up’s. Of course, they are talking about how physically attractive one can become with a bit of effort. The physical appeal is one we can’t shake off. People judge us on our appearance, for better or worse. Glow up to Grow up This topic is complex. It’s all about perception and social acceptance. It’s also relating to a sense of mature happiness on a deeper level. A Eudomonic happiness disguised as a hedonistic glowing physical attractiveness. Those two distinct parts of ourselves are perhaps confusing for the selfie-generation. If we are physically attractive: People take us more seriously. They believe we are more successful. There is an assumption that we are more able to accomplish our goals, or obtain more connections. Look at the most successful people in the positive psychology field. They are all rather good looking. Not just because of the smiling. They are all smiling. Are they more attractive? For the most part, yes. At least, more “put together”. Others want some of that glow, so they tend to flock to the smiling happy people. It’s not always an energy as much as it is the perceived image of happiness. And yet, when at rest, many of us are absolutely happy in our contented quiet. We aren’t always smiling, but can the world see our inner joy...
by Aren Henry | December, 2020 | Clarity is . . ., Grit/Grace/Gratitude, Karen Henry, Light Life, Noetic Nomad, Uncategorized
It twinkles and sprinkles our lives with happiness. This thing we call the pursuit of peace. You thought I’d say happiness, right? Nope. It’s not happiness that is the ultimate goal for millions of people. Especially in times of suffering. Happiness is a by-product of feeling peace. Peace, comfort, contentment, safety, and even security. Those things must happen before considering hedonistic happiness. Something many people don’t dare to feel until they are secure in their base. Something many happiness researchers seem to miss in their pursuit of how to sell happiness. Or rather, research, then write about, happiness. Aesthetic joy? In 2015, I started a Pinterest board about twinkle lights. All things sparkly and joyful. Aesthetics contribute abundance to our lives. To me, the small twinkling glitter of tiny lights bring joy and happiness to my life. It was a visual step toward an internal grounding. It was in that fluidity of purposeful focus on things that twinkle, I dared to dream. “Dare to live the life you have dreamed of for yourself. Go forward and make your dreams come true.” Ralph Waldo Emerson Aesthetics have a profound effect on how we perceive our creature comforts. Those comforts are afforded to the fiscally secure so much more than those who are financially challenged. And yet, we continue to offer the same cookie cutter advice to all as if a global blanket has settled gleefully over everyone equally. Twinkle and Shine When we pursue happiness, but ignore the happiness of those less fortunate than ourselves, we are showing our proclivity toward the blind eye. A blind eye can...
by Bryony Shaw | September, 2020 | Bryony Shaw, Uncategorized
Who would have predicted the changes we have witnessed and lived through over the past few months? Certainly not me. While it has been an appalling time with much suffering and fear, the beauty of human nature has once again revealed itself during these unprecedented times. Take your mind back to the first few weeks of lockdown. We were told to stay inside except to exercise and do essential shopping. We were not able to see friends and family and loneliness for some, especially those who live alone, was an unwanted and unexpected experience. Novel Connections It was during this time that I noticed how we are connecting in novel ways. People who haven’t seen each other for years are connecting by phone or zoom. Taking the time to listen and share their life again. Reminding themselves of shared past experiences and possibly planning new ones for when life becomes socially normal again. Families and friends who live apart started connecting with group online meetings and joined in with quizzes and choirs together despite being geographically remote. The underlying need for positive connection with others is a deep-seated driving force in the human psyche. Care and Consideration Outside I have noticed care and consideration between people. For example, at the park I have observed people and how they stop at a safe distance and carry out a conversation. The conversations can be lengthy, they don’t seem to want to move on, it’s as if they want to draw out the company for as long as possible. Neighbourhood support groups were set up, making sure the most vulnerable were supported...
by Steve Emery | August, 2020 | Uncategorized
Whilst in the midst of the recent lockdown, there have been a number of concerns regarding the effect this will have on loneliness. According to the campaign to end loneliness (https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/) there are an estimated 9 million people in the UK who experience loneliness on a regular basis. Whilst a lot is mentioned about the older generation being prone to loneliness it is now being felt by younger people in growing numbers. A survey by Action for Children showed that 43% of 17-25 year olds had experienced loneliness. Furthermore 24% of parents felt they were always or often lonely. Health risks of loneliness Loneliness carries a significant number of health risks; Loneliness can be as bad for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day (Holt-Lunstad, 2010) Loneliness is more damaging to your health then obesity (Holt-Lunstad 2010) Lonely People are at a higher risk from, heart disease, dementia and depression (Cacioppo et al, 2006) Loneliness is likely to increase premature death by 29% (Holt-Lunstad, 2015) From a personal point of view there have been times when I have felt lonely, and although they have only lasted a few weeks or months, I have noticed a change in my mental and physical well-being. Four months of lock down due to Covid-19 has reminded me of what it felt like in not being able to connect with other people. Re-connecting with people It might sound obvious, but loneliness is caused by losing connection with other people. There are many reasons for this and everyone has their own way of connecting with others, however I have listed five strategies that have...
