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Whole Person Approach to Positive Psychology

Writer's picture: Janet HuehlsJanet Huehls

Whole person approach to positive psychology


We are often told to be positive, start a gratitude journal, and think of our good qualities or the good things that happened. There is plenty of evidence these practices can have a positive impact on your health and well-being. But how can positivity backfire?


In a recent episode of The Be Well Now Method Podcast I spoke with Darlene Marshall, who has a master's in applied positive psychology and is a fitness trainer and a fellow wellbeing coach. She explained what positive psychology is, and what it is not, so beautifully in the video below!


Positive Psychology is a branch of psychology that leverages our strengths to thrive. But it is more about being authentic than it is about thinking positive. Thinking postiive is a brain based approach that can be interrupted when exercise or dieting separate you from your body. Your body sends more signals to your brain than your brain sends to your body. All the wisdom from positive psychology needs a healthy relationship with your body to be applied and used well. A whole person perspective allows us to apply this field of science to stay real and authentic as we maneuver through all that goes on around us and inside us each moment of each day.


Your brain has a default to look for real and potential threats and solve problems. This is not a problem. You could not survive without this feature. Your first though will likely be protective, judgemental, or fearful. Thats fine. Its actually a helpful wake up call. If you are not under a real immediate threat right now, you dont have to continue down that protective, fear driven thought road.


It takes a bit of energy, but noticing when your brain goes down the road of threat defense, and shifting into your body helps to stop that brain-based problem solving focus. Your body is always present. Once your attention is back in the present you can move to clear the stress state caused by the problem-solving reaction.


Why move in this moment? First because those thoughts tell your body to be ready to move. Holding that tension while tying to "think positive" is like doing two opposite things at the same time. Try making a tight fist. Now think of something positive and happy. Now soften your hands and think of something positive that makes you happy. Which is easier for your brain? When your body is not holding extra tension, you regain access to more parts of your brain.  Mindful, science based movement allows the emotions to be metabolized so you brain has full access to your strengths and wisdom.


The second reason mindful science based movement needs to be part of applied positive psychology is that movement balances brain chemistry like nothing else can. However... if it does not follow movement science principles, it adds to tension in your body, telling your brain there is a problem in your body to solve.


Following movement science principles transforms exercise into a resource that allows you to use the wisdom of positive psychology. This whole person approach to mental and emotional and physical wellbeing restores access to your strengths, creativity, and value driven motivation. It allows you to use an open mindset to learn from challenges rather than get hijacked by them.


Movement Science + Positive Psychology are a way to integrate the design of your whole person to thrive, so you can feel and function as best you can mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. This kind of body and brain science combo is what makes Exercising Well a whole person approach that transforms exercise from a task to a resource to Be Well Now.


Now apply this to You Science:


How do I apply positive psychology in my own life?


How does mindful, science based movement support those skills?

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