Positive Psychology and Christianity

Have you ever considered psychology as something that goes hand in hand with the Christian faith? Many people have differing views on this and it may not always be a clear cut answer. I have asked this question myself especially in the first year of my psychology degree.

I struggled with many concepts in psychology theory; always defensive and wanting to come up with a corresponding ‘Christian-like’ perspective to the secular writings of stalwarts such as Freud. I know, the idea in itself is a lost cause.

I am not sure when this defensive attitude stopped, and where I actually began to learn that theories are pretty much just what they say on the box, theories. At some point I learnt about multi-disciplinary approaches, picking and choosing what is appropriate for the context, client, and study.

This insight was and continues to be liberating as I continue to grow in other fields related to psychology. This is how I came to research positive psychology.

Actually, I began to read articles in this field because I wanted to bring more happiness into my own life, not for any altruistic efforts. There comes a time in the life of a thirty-something in this modern age where energy wanes and takes longer to replenish, motivation takes more effort to build up, depression lurks closer and can attack with more viciousness than before. I discovered it is foolish, even dangerous to maintain the habits one had in their 20’s while navigating the ever deepening waters of the 30’s.

Consider that most people in their 30’s are mostly trying to establish a solid career, trying to get a business of the ground (like myself), getting married, raising kids, all under the critical eyes of a judgmental society. It’s tough? Major understatement.

So how does one even think of happiness while juggling this kind of life? When you have no time to yourself and cannot afford the luxury of adding any more onto your to-do list. There is need for change. I mean it is necessary, imperative to adjust just a little space in that vortex you call life for some reprieve.

These days, it is not uncommon to hear of person in their 30s or 40s having a stroke, let alone a heart attack. With our fast paced lives, bad diets, bad habits, and blatant disregard for our bodies while in our teens and 20’s, young people’s bodies are giving up way before their time. I personally believe we effectively keep ourselves in sweet denial of these facts through social media and other such blinds of escapism. Doesn’t change the truth though does it? So how do we change?

 I propose some positive psychology! Why? Because it works!

Alright, I admit that is a generalised statement, but this happens to be a scientific school of thought that has its foundational theories based in an area some of us have constructed our lives upon.

If you are not in the know, positive psychology is an area of psychology that developed in the late 1990s when a man called Martin Seligman (author of Authentic Happiness, Flourish, The Hope Circuit, etc) was president of the American Psychological Association. Dr Seligman encouraged the exploration of questions such as; what is the source of human happiness? How can it be maintained? What is the common-underlying factor in happy people?

This theory of positive psychology seems to hold many attributes that are similar to those found in the Word. Yes, our very own Biblical scriptures. These include things like being a giver, practicing forgiveness, practicing thankfulness, and practicing mindfulness. The general idea is to develop actions, habits, and practices that reduce feelings of anxiety and the effects of stress. As you do this, you effectively improve your well-being, and gain the happiness you seek.

Linda Esposito (in Psychology Today, 2014) suggests the following activities to boost happiness.

·         Accept that life happens, to all of us. It’s your attitude that will determine how you survive. Adjust your attitude; fine-tuning it until it works towards a positive state of well-being instead of it dragging you down.

·         Start a gratitude journal where you record all that you are grateful for (start small with three things each day and build up from there)

·         Add the gratitude diary. Here you go in depth and explore all those things you are grateful for and why. This will help you to see just how good your life actually is compared to what it could be. And we all know, it could always be worse right?

·         Practice Optimism. Set a goal and track your progress (not necessarily the end goal). See what works and what doesn’t, especially in causing stress and depleting your energy reserves.

·         Write your future diary. This sounds like an awesome idea for getting creative and dreaming in colours. A sure way to brighten your outlook on life.

·         Savouring. All those positive experiences deserve to be savoured especially if your life sees few and far between.

·         Count kindness gestures by keeping a log, sort of like the gratitude journal but of all those things people have done to brighten up your life.

·         Record 3 funny things. Sigh! Sometimes this can be a challenge when you have no time for funny, although it may depend entirely on your perspective. Linda says you must record why the event was funny as well. Image going over this log on your worst day, reliving all those funny moments…no-brainer this one.

·         ‘Gift’ your time. This is where you gift at least 3 people per week with your time. Either helping them around the house, sharing a meal, or taking them for an appointment.

·         Gratitude visit. Think of a person you need to thank, write them a detailed letter of why you are thanking them, what they did and how much you appreciate it. Call this person and tell them you need to arrange a time to visit them, when you visit, read the letter out loud. This one is quite humbling, but it can go a long way to lifting both yours and the other’s sense of well-being.

            Linda maintains that the point of all these actions is consistency. You only need to pick what works for you and make a habit of it. Being thankful for example, it can become second nature, and greatly replace habitual complaining or a chronic negative attitude.

            In my own experience, I found mindfulness techniques such as breathing, meditation and quiet walks work wonders for my anxiety or stress. There are times where I work to the point of tension headaches and light-headedness (not by choice obviously), so I stretch, take time off work and take afternoon naps. It seems to work for now. However, I like the idea of establishing habits and practices that will be consistently followed in the long term. Habits that involve other people, that call on actually putting to use the fruits of the Holy Spirit (thankfulness, kindness, humility, patience, goodness, self-control, love, joy, faithfulness) in a way that is practical and effective.

           I guess you will only know the benefits once you try it. I will certainly be embarking on a positive psychology journey of discovery. I encourage you to do the same, if you are seeking happiness like most of the world that is. Find a way that both suits and challenges you, and stick to what works.

Here’s to a healthy, stress free life!

Julie