And we're back....

Yes there has been a few drinks between posts (well not entirely literally) but this has been due to (yes here comes the excuse..) my allocation of time to my studies. I am currently in my final undergraduate year and time really has flown...

But now back to my beloved blog.

The positive psychology movement is rapidly progressing (thank goodness) and I am amazed at the  changes in the field that have taken place in just one year.

One of the key components of this science is studying the components and correlates of wellbeing. To date, there are five well examined interventions that can be used to enhance wellbeing. These are taken from an article written by Dr Dianne A Vella-Brodrick MAPS taken from the InPsych magazine.

1. Three good things - before going to bed, write about three good things that happened that day and explain why you think these good things occurred.
2. Identify and use character strengths - visit viacharacter.org to complete the strengths survey, and then use one of your strengths in a new way, every day for a week
3. Savouring through capitalising - share a positive experience of yours with someone else. In doing so, provide specific detail about the event and how you felt with the aim of generating and re-living that positive experience
4. Best possible self - visualise and write down what it would be like in the future once all your dreams and goals are fulfilled
5. Counting acts of kindness - note how many times you have observed others being kind to you or others

Now, before you think to dismiss these interventions as a bit "Pollyanna", all have been backed by rigorous scientific exploration. Something to remember in the chance that you find yourself drawn to one to start practicing.

Personally, I use the character strength intervention on an (almost) daily basis and I have found it to be useful in gaining perspective on myself and increasing my resilience in particularly challenging times....

So what about you? Have you tried any of the above interventions? If so, have they worked? If not, what do you think about them? Please leave your comments below..