Uruke Health

Positive Psychology

admin — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 01:01:27 +0000

We are in a very technology-savvy world. We are fast galloping towards technological advancements, better economies and leaderships. But, in our race to improve in materialistic possessions, we are in the path of ignoring humanity and associated emotions. This trend is likely to give rise to more self-respecting, self-oriented people, unhappiness and despair. It is in situations like this, that behavioral sciences play a major role in society. Do you want to be happier in life? Do you wish to feel more satisfied, even when your circumstances are not so good? Do you want to be more engaged in all that you do, and be inspired to have high hopes?

According to Dr. Martine Seligman’s theories of positive psychology, all this is possible, and still more. Positive psychology is a new branch or psychology that deals with research on positive emotions, development of characters or behavior based on emotional strength and ways to develop them. Traditional approach to psychology focuses on illness and pathology. On the other hand, positive psychology concentrates on the well-being, satisfaction and overall happiness of the person. The theories and research indicators of positive psychology can be applied to various settings; it can be applied in the betterment of individuals, societies or groups. Researches have shown that positive psychology is very helpful in decreasing the symptoms of depression to a large extend.

Positive psychology focuses on optimism. It revolves around the thoughts of positive ways of thought and being, as against being pessimistic and unhappy. Martine Seligman has tried to explain that the chaos and the pain we experience are a result of our own deeds. The secrets of being unhappy rest within ourselves, and we do not understand that when we search around for happiness. Most of the conditions we choose come to us by virtue and not by choice. We begin our lives as invalid, not being able to survive without the help from others. We are completely dependent on our parents to know more about the word around us, and almost are dependent on them for life. But, we grow, and so do our perceptions, ego, and all characteristics. We come to know from various means of the world around.

Positive psychology deals with the research and study of the power and virtue that enables people like us to live better. Not only does this science focus on individuals, but it focuses on societies or groups also. It is all about the behaviors and virtues that are essential for societies or individuals to thrive. The studies and research on positive psychology are carried out at Positive Psychology Center; this center encourages the research, training, education, and the dissemination of Positive Psychology.

Positive psychology thrives in the thought that more and more people should be able to lead lives that they feel are meaningful and fulfilling. They should find joy in all that they do, and should be able to taste satisfaction. To do this, they need to help themselves by cultivating the best behavior and habits within themselves. This will further lead them into being the next in whatever they do. Positive psychology starts at home where parents try to bring up their kinds based on the right values. It is this factor that makes the kids excels in all that they do. It is required at the workplace to put in the best effort, stay motivated, and work well towards your goal. It is required in society also, where you need to be the best citizen with the best civic goals.

Development of positive psychology is actually based on three main concepts. These are the concepts of positive emotions, that of positive individual traits, and of positive institutions. Positive emotions deal with the study of satisfaction and contentment with the past, happiness and joy in the present, and hope and dreams in store for the future. The next concept or positive individual traits deals with the study of the strengths and virtues. In this concept, you concentrate on items such as the capacity for love and work, being courageous, compassionate, resilient, creative, and curious. It also upholds the virtue of integrity, self-knowledge, moderation, self-control, and wisdom. The third concept of understanding positive institutions deals with the study of the qualities that lead to the development of better communities, or qualities required in communities. It deals with justice, responsibility, civility, parenting, nurturance, work ethic, leadership, teamwork, purpose, and tolerance.

There are certain goals and objectives that positive psychology aims to attain. It aims at developing good families and schools where children can happily thrive in, development of a workplace that provides motivation and happiness to achieve high productivity, development of better communities that encourage the right kind of civic sense in people, and therapists and others who can spread the goodness of positive psychology world-wide.

Blended Family Problems? 21 Ways Counseling Can Help

hanun — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 01:01:42 +0000

As a psychologist and counselor practicing in the Woodstock-Cary-Algonquin-Crystal Lake and Lake in the Hills areas of Illinois, I find that there are 21 essentials you can expect when receiving counseling for problems in your blended family.

But first, what are the signs of blended family problems?

1.Conflicting parenting practices between biological and stepparents

2.Child rejects the stepparents disciplinary practices

3.Biological parent foments dislike for stepparent

4.Biological and stepparent compete for power and control

5. Conflict develops among the children in the blended family

6. Ex-spouse interferes with the blended familys lifestyle

7. Childs behavior problems become personalized by the adults, causing fracture within the family system

If this sounds like your family, you should seek counseling. But when you begin treatment, what will your counselor do? How does marriage and family counseling for blended families work?

1.Your therapist will help you to identify the positives and negatives of the stepparents disciplinary procedures..

2.You counselor will create a neutral zone so family members can express themselves without fear of retaliation.

3.Your therapist may train you in certain communication skills to build the relationship between relevant spouses.

4.The marriage or family counselor will likely facilitate a healthy dialogue among disgruntled children and any step or adoptive parent.

5.Your family or marital counselor will likely help the children explore any feelings of conflict or disloyalty regarding biological parents.

6.Your psychologist or counselor will probably facilitate a healthy release of any of the childrens fear of abandonment or displaced anger that may be inhibiting acceptance of their stepparents directives.

7.Parents will be helped to identify and resolve conflicts between themselves in parenting strategies.

8.The stepparents disciplinary strictness or rigidity will be assessed as to whether it may be creating resistance on the part of the child.

9.Your therapist may assess the degree to which an ex-spouse may be unfairly blamed for parenting problems existing within the blended family.

10.The counselor will help the parents identify and resolve any insecurity or jealousy regarding warmth displayed between a parent and stepchild.

11.Your psychologist may invite a former spouse or biological parent into a joint session with other biological or stepparents in order to discuss and resolve differences in parenting philosophies and techniques.

12.You may be asked to consider any potential manipulation of the child in playing one parent against the other for territorial or power advantages.

13.The children will likely be reassured that they are not responsible for their parents conflicts and that these conflicts do not reflect adversely on their parents love for them.

14.The children may be asked to express directly or through a letter the foundation of their feelings for being treated unfairly by a stepparent.

15.You may be encouraged to negotiate with the children as to actions that they may perceive as fairer to them.

16.Your therapist may suggest a list of special activities that the parent and stepchildren can do to reduce any feelings of alienation.

17.Parents may be encouraged to behave assertively toward children from whom they are afraid of receiving a negative response.

18.The therapist may help you to identify self-defeating patterns relevant to your parenting skills that may exist in your blended family and suggest ways of modifying them.

19.The therapist may prescribe psychological testing for some members of the family, children or parents, to expose any factors that may be neglected in isolating the causes of the family strife.

20.You will be helped to identify sources of ongoing support and reassurance to effectively improve and hone your parenting skills.

21.If you are engaging in any unusual parenting strategies, their methods and effects will be reviewed to be sure that they are contributing efficiently to the well-being of the family.

Healthy Eating During Baby Pregnancy

hanun — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 01:20:22 +0000

You probably already know how important it is to eat a well-balanced diet, but it is even more important when you are pregnant. Keep in mind now you are eating for two. Whatever you eat, the baby eats as well. In fact the baby actually takes your nourishment so you must eat enough for both of you. The healthier you eat the better it is for the baby during pregnancy and you.

Never miss a meal while you are pregnant, especially breakfast. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and your baby has probably been waiting since he/she woke up in the middle of the night. You may learn that if you wait so long before eating you start to feel sick, this is your body telling you to eat. Do it!

Make sure you are getting enough of the food you need daily. It takes 4-6 servings of dairy produce a day for a healthy baby pregnancy, this can include some cheeses, milk, yogurt. This provides the baby with calcium which it’ll need to develop healthy growing bones. Adding extra calcium to your diet wouldn’t hurt you either, especially your teeth and bones.

Don’t forget about your fruit and vegetable servings. Lots of green is always a good choice, so are sweet potatoes. Not only will you be giving your body what it needs but you’ll start to have more energy. Try laying off the sweets for a week and replace them with healthier items and see how alive you feel.

Foods to Avoid

Not all foods are safe during your pregnancy, there are a few things you should avoid eating:

- Raw eggs

- Caffeine- soda, chocolate. If you find this difficult you can wean yourself off, but the less caffeine in your system the better it is for the baby.

- Certain fish- exotic, shark, swordfish, anything potentially high in mercury

- unpasteurized products- brie and other soft cheeses if unpasteurized.

- Undercooked meats- lunch meats. If you are buying a deli sandwich you can ask for them to heat the meat up a little.

If you are ever unsure of the foods you can eat, you can ask your doctor for a list of items to avoid during pregnancy. They’ll be more than happy to share this with you.

You may also learn that your stomach won’t handle certain foods that it would before. Some of those foods may include foods that contain grease, fast foods, meat, and certain foods that have a strong odor.

Eating healthy doesn’t mean you have to cut out all the fun in your life, you can still treat yourself from time to time. Go out and get a frozen yogurt or a smoothie.

While you are making sure you get enough to eat throughout the day, that doesn’t mean neglecting your fluid intake. You’ll need lots of water and juices from here on out. The baby will thank you later. Who knows, you may discover that you really enjoy eating healthier meals and continue it even after the pregnancy.

Read my article about children games.