It's a whirlwind, and we finish one year and in less than a month a new opportunity arrives, or as we all prefer to see it, a fresh start. The phrases "this year is going to be my year" or "I can't wait for this year to be over" are heard constantly. Because many times when New Year's Eve arrives, we feel we didn't accomplish our New Year's resolutions. You know, you're not the same person you were 365 days ago. Maybe you didn't achieve all your goals, but there was definitely growth, possibly accompanied by some negative things and some positive ones. But if there's one thing we know about life, it's that everything helps us grow as people.

That's why today I'm going to give you some tips on how to track your personal growth. What if, instead of setting the typical goal of losing weight and giving the gym six months' worth of memberships, or miles and meters of courses we abandon halfway through, we can start with some habits that will automatically lead to positive changes in our lives, changes we can see and feel by the end of next year? We might see improvements in some areas and not so much in others, but ultimately, it's all about balance. These tips have worked incredibly well for me, thanks to my therapist, who taught me to value my small victories. Like many of you, I used to be the kind of woman who gets frustrated if I don't achieve 100%—well, I used to, since I'm working on myself now. And as always, I love sharing these life tools with you.  They make the load lighter.

We'll begin by exploring positive psychology, a branch of psychology that focuses on the study of positive emotions and psychological well-being. It's a scientific discipline based on the belief that people have the capacity to improve their lives and emotional well-being through the practice of certain skills and habits.

We present the 5 pillars of positive psychology and how to apply them in daily life to increase our emotional well-being.

1. Gratitude: Being thankful for what we have

Gratitude is one of the most powerful emotions there is. It allows us to focus on what we have instead of constantly longing for what we lack. Feeling grateful is incompatible with unhappiness. Gratitude allows us to feel more positive, happy, and satisfied with our lives.

It's not difficult to start cultivating this habit, although consistency is key. To incorporate this principle into your daily life, you can begin each day by writing down three things you're grateful for. You'll soon realize it's the best way to start a new day. Being grateful helps us maintain a more positive attitude and reminds us how fortunate we are for everything we already have. It's simply a matter of focus.

 

2. Optimism: Seeing the glass half full

Optimism is the ability to see the positive side of situations. Despite the benefits it brings, optimism has many detractors. It has often been associated with childishness, a lack of seriousness, being unaware of problems, and a long list of other negative connotations. These connotations are actually linked to what is known as "relentless optimism" or "toxic positivity."

Despite this, reality and research confirm that optimistic people tend to be more resilient to stress and adversity. If you're also one of those people who associate optimism with failure or weakness, you're missing out on the advantages of living life with a more realistic optimism. To apply optimism to our daily lives, it's important to train our minds to focus on the positive. To achieve this, you can start practicing meditation, positive visualization, or simply record a difficult situation you successfully overcame in the past.

3. Resilience: Overcoming adversity

Resilience is the ability to overcome adversity and emerge stronger. Resilient people tend to have higher self-esteem and a greater sense of control over their lives. To apply this principle in our daily lives, it's important to learn to see difficult situations as opportunities for growth and learning. It's also important to surround ourselves with positive and supportive people who can help us through tough times.

4. Mindfulness: Living in the present moment

Mindfulness is the ability to be present and aware in the present moment, without judgment or distraction from thoughts and worries about the past or future. Mindfulness practice has proven effective in reducing stress and improving emotional well-being. To incorporate this principle into our daily lives, it's important to dedicate a few minutes each day to meditation or simply to paying full attention to everyday activities, such as eating or walking.

5. Empathy: Connecting with others

Empathy is the ability to put yourself in someone else's shoes and understand their feelings and perspectives. Empathetic people tend to have closer and more fulfilling relationships. To apply this principle in our daily lives, it's important to practice active listening and try to understand the feelings and perspectives of others. It's also important to be kind and compassionate toward others, even in difficult situations.

 

 

The pillars of positive psychology directly align with the five pillars of well-being. These pillars are fundamental to achieving a fulfilling and satisfying life. By integrating practices such as gratitude, optimism, and resilience, we not only strengthen our emotional well-being but also lay the foundation for the five pillars of life. These include our physical, emotional, social, financial, and spiritual well-being. Together, they form the five pillars of life that support and guide us toward a more promising and balanced future.

Positive images play an important role in our daily routines. Exposure to positive images has been shown to influence our mood and attitude throughout the day. For example, placing images that evoke happiness, success, or tranquility in our work environment or at home can help us maintain a positive outlook.

In summary, the five pillars of positive psychology can help us increase our emotional well-being in daily life. Practicing gratitude, optimism, resilience, mindfulness, and empathy can significantly improve our quality of life and our relationships with others.

It's important to remember that these habits aren't magic and may require time and effort to incorporate into our daily lives. However, if we persevere, we can experience positive changes in our emotional well-being and happiness.

Are you ready to start applying the five pillars of positive psychology to your daily life? Begin with small changes and don't get discouraged if it's difficult at first. Remember that any progress is a step toward a happier and more fulfilling life.

The time it takes to see results can vary from person to person. However, many studies have shown that even small changes can have a significant impact on our emotional well-being.

Written by:

Elsa Gándara

Little Apple Distributions

emarygm@gmail.com