In the context of the health crisis, do you feel undermined by the ambient pessimism? However, between 2017 and 2019, France was in 23rd position of the 52 happiest countries, according to the 2020 edition of the World Happiness Report. And for good reason: positive psychology is making a strong comeback and is becoming the course of action to adopt to have an optimistic vision. “Initiated in 1998 following the work of Martin Seligman, an American psychologist, positive psychology is based on the intention to better take into account existential questions, the ambition to allow people to better understand their strengths and their resources in order to move towards a better consideration of their needs, their values (benevolence, altruism, etc.) and their life goals”, explain Marine Paucsik and Jean-Baptiste Baudier, psychologists and doctoral students.
Being optimistic: it’s good for the heart and morale
According to scientists, positive emotions boost the immune system, a positive attitude lowers the risk of heart disease, optimism lowers the risk of death, and happy people have fewer physical symptoms than sad people. All the more reason to practice a power posture. “This position of Wonder Woman-style body opening (legs stretched out and slightly apart, fists on the hips and gaze upwards) has benefits for the body (increase in endorphins, soothing hormone, cortisol, anti-stress hormone… ) and on morale (self-confidence…)”, observes Marilyse Trécourt, coach in professional and personal development.
All that remains is to orient our way of thinking in order to understand today’s world and invent tomorrow’s. The solutions to achieve this
Devour the foods of happiness
Food lovers: the consumption of 2 squares of chocolate per day, a source of dopamine, promotes psychological well-being, and that of antioxidants has a positive effect on mood when you get older, according to researchers. “Bet on foods rich in tryptophan (whole grain rice, pulses, bananas, seeds, etc.), an amino acid that regulates mood, which allows the synthesis of serotonin and melatonin, the sleep hormone”, recommends Cécile Neuville, psychologist. Not to mention foods packed with tyrosine (leeks, spinach, oilseeds, etc.), an amino acid that activates the synthesis of adrenaline and noradrenaline, stress and action hormones, and dopamine, the hormone of the reward.
Cultivate happiness (alone or in pairs)
On a daily basis, it is useful to practice mental training to maintain good psychological health, advises Jean-Baptiste Baudier. Unlike traditional psychology focused on what is dysfunctional in individuals, positive psychology consists of preventively mobilizing one’s strengths, adaptive resources (resilience) and skills towards goals that promote personal fulfillment, in order to better face problems: c This is called the experience of flow, a concept developed by the Hungarian researcher Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. “Furthermore, it’s about looking at your daily life from a different angle (identifying what’s going well in your life, the reasons for admiring the other to build your relationship, etc.), to ‘strengthen’ your gratitude (say thank you … ) to practice activities that are sources of satisfaction (writing, cooking…)”, explains Florence Servan-Schreiber, teacher of happiness. Something to boost your morale.
Be positive at work
Not seeking success at all costs allows you to find meaning and satisfaction in your work. “By developing more benevolence towards yourself as you would for a friend, by addressing yourself with understanding rather than making judgments and self-criticism, and by focusing on your available resources and potential strategies for action rather than on your difficulties, you will develop your self-compassion. This is one of the key dimensions of positive psychology, because it is predictive of well-being. It will thus help you to forge another relationship with yourself and others, and to better adapt to your daily life,” says Marine Paucsik.
Our Experts:
- Florence Servan-Schreiber, teacher of happiness
- Cécile Neuville, psychologist specializing in positive psychology
- Marine Paucsik and Jean-Baptiste Baudier, psychologists and doctoral students
- Marylise Trécourt, professional and personal development coach
To read too :
- What if the key to happiness was… travel?
- 3 morning rituals to boost your morale
- 5 feel good tips to be happier
