Welcome back to Consider Yourself Hugged! Click below to watch, or Click here to listen to Episode 174.
*Disclaimer:
The information in this show is not intended to be therapy or to address your individual situation. It is information based on experiences, opinions, and research. If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources at the end of the show notes, or others in your area.
Hello, fabulous listeners/readers/watchers! If you were with me last week, you know I'm more committed than every to work on my mental and emotional wellbeing. I hope you are too. I’m so excited to share something special with you: Over the next 10 weeks, I’m embarking on a journey to become certified in Positive Psychology—a field that’s all about boosting our happiness, well-being, and overall zest for life. And guess what? I want you to come along for the ride!
Here’s the plan: Each week (starting today), I’ll dive into one of the modules from my course and break it down in a way that’s fun, practical, and totally relatable. We’ll explore topics like gratitude, resilience, strengths, and so much more. Not only will this help me cement what I’m learning, but it’ll also give you some amazing tools to enrich your own life.
And here’s a couple of little bonuses! First, each week, I’ll be uploading activity documents in the show notes for you to work on between sessions. These are simple, yet powerful exercises that will help you apply what we’re learning and really make it stick. It’s like having a mini course of your own, right alongside me!
Second, our dear friend Michelle will be joining us for some of the episodes!
This isn’t just about listening—this is about growing together. I want you to take these insights, apply them, and see how they can make a real difference in your everyday life. And the best part? It’s all free! No strings attached, just pure, positive goodness.
So, are you ready to join me on this positivity-packed adventure? Let’s learn, laugh, and lift each other up, one week at a time.
Let’s get started with our first module.
What Is Positive Psychology?
Positive psychology is a scientific field that focuses on what makes life worth living. It's about understanding and enhancing the aspects of life that bring us happiness, fulfillment, and well-being. The five pillars of positive psychology that we'll explore together are:
- Positive Emotions: Cultivating joy, gratitude, serenity, and other positive emotions
- Engagement: Finding activities that fully absorb us and bring a sense of flow
- Relationships: Building and maintaining meaningful connections with others
- Meaning: Identifying and pursuing what gives our lives purpose
- Accomplishment: Setting and achieving goals that matter to us
It's important to note that positive psychology doesn't replace traditional psychology that focuses on overcoming our problems. Instead, it complements it by focusing on what’s working well in our lives and how we can build on that.
Activity: Promoting Self-Awareness and Emotional Intelligence
One of the most effective ways to enhance self-awareness is by regularly checking in with our emotions. In this episode, I introduce your first activity that involves:
- Daily Emotional Check-Ins: Using a journal or the "How We Feel" app to record your current emotional state.
- Honest Reflection: Being truthful about how you’re feeling, without judgment.
- Journal Entries: Documenting your daily activities and interactions to gain insights into what influences your emotions.
By repeating this exercise daily, you'll start to see patterns and gain a deeper understanding of your emotional landscape.
Understanding Time Frames
In the second part of our first module, we delve into the theory and research behind positive psychology. This theory revolves around three key time frames:
- Past: Reflecting on past experiences that brought satisfaction and a sense of well-being.
- Present: Tuning into your current feelings and understanding what drives them.
- Future: Anticipating future activities or events that evoke positive emotions.
To help you engage with these concepts, I suggest reflecting on three daily questions:
1. What past experiences have brought you a sense of satisfaction or fulfillment?
2. How are you feeling right now, and what’s contributing to these emotions?
3. What upcoming events or activities are you looking forward to?
Understanding Happiness
Drawing from Martin Seligman’s theory of happiness, I explain the three types of experiences that contribute to a fulfilling life:
1. Pleasant Life: Focusing on short-term pleasures and joys.
2. Engaged Life: Immersing yourself in activities that bring a sense of flow.
3. Meaningful Life: Finding a deeper purpose and meaning in life.
Understanding Well-Being
We also touch on the concept of well-being, which is about long-term overall wellness rather than just momentary happiness. There are five key factors that influence our well-being, and I stress the importance of identifying and leveraging your character strengths to improve these factors and achieve a more fulfilled life.
Next Steps: Your Action Plan & Promised Resources
As you reflect on today’s episode, here are a few actions you can take before our next session:
1. Daily Emotional Check-Ins: Start using the "How We Feel" app or a journal to monitor your emotions daily.
2. Three Daily Reflection Questions: Answer the three questions about past satisfaction, present feelings, and future anticipation each day.
3. Identify Positive Activities: Begin to notice which activities in your life bring positive feelings, a sense of flow, and purpose.
Downloads for You:
Stay tuned for the next episode, where we’ll continue our exploration of positive psychology and dive deeper into practical strategies for enhancing your well-being.
As I've always asked in the past, please pass the show link along to your friends and subscribe, download, and review wherever you are listening. If you’re a woman and you haven’t joined our private FB group A Place for Women, please do that now! It’ll be your source of encouragement. I'd love for you to follow my Tami West Seminars Facebook page as well. If you'd like to know more about my Mental Health First Aid Courses, contact me at 615-497-7714 or tamiwest@tamiwest.com.
And until next time, Consider Yourself Hugged 😘🤗
Promised Resources:
YouTube Meditation List
How We Feel App
Additional Resources:
For substance abuse treatment and mental health referrals, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or https://www.samhsa.gov/medications-substance-use-disorders.
Additional Resources can be found at:
Celebrated Recovery
Celebrate Recovery Meeting Locator:
Narcotics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous
Finding a therapist:
Psychology Today
Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families
Co-dependents Anonymous
Description of Schema Focused Therapy
Michelle Kixmiller, MSN, MAE, RN, APN, PMHNP-BC
Michelle Kixmiller is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Licensed Educator. She works with children and adults with mental health needs including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, ADHD, autism, schizophrenia, and obsessive compulsive disorder. Michelle served as a public school teacher and science department chair for over a decade when a family tragedy pulled her in a different direction. The death of her younger brother after a multiple year battle with depression and alcoholism led her to pursue a career in the mental health field. She went back to school to become a registered nurse graduating and gaining experience as a critical care nurse at a level 1 regional burn center prior to completing a graduate degree to become a mental health nurse practitioner. Her vision is holistic care through teamwork to create a more peaceful school environment for students and staff alike. No one should have to struggle alone. Michelle currently works full time for a non-profit community mental health center at an outpatient clinic and works PRN for an inpatient crisis stabilization unit. When not at work she loves spending time with family, traveling, watching movies (not scary ones), running (slowly), and Crossfit. Contact Michelle at Silver Lining Psychiatric Solutions, 615-378-7713 or mkixmill@gmail.com.
Thanks for joining!
I hope this has been helpful today, and thank you for joining! As I've always asked in the past, please pass the show link along to your friends and subscribe, download, and review wherever you are listening. If you’re a woman and you haven’t joined our private FB group A Place for Women, please do that now! It’ll be your source of encouragement. I'd love for you to follow my Tami West Seminars Facebook page as well. If you'd like to know more about my Mental Health First Aid Courses, contact me at 615-497-7714 or tamiwest@tamiwest.com.
And until next season, Consider Yourself Hugged 😘🤗
*Disclaimer:
The information in this show is not intended to be therapy or to address your individual situation. It is information based on experiences, opinions, and research. If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources below, or others in your area.
Mental Health Resources:
Tami West, PhD
Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges.
Tami has worked in a variety of industries including healthcare, school nutrition, corporate sales, and 10 years as a public-school teacher. In 2013 she received her PhD in Human Development, studying the connections among stress, emotions, and identity.
Dr. West has spoken in 48 states across the US, as well as the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. In any given year, Tami speaks to groups with audiences consisting of anywhere from 100 to 3,000 people.
Dr. West is the author of several successful publications including three books: The Stress Club, Life Without the Monsters and Thrive. When she's not speaking or writing, you might find her with her traveling with her husband and family, reading historical fiction, or watching Big Bang Theory.
Tami connects with audiences through real experience, cutting edge research, and transparent stories – all sprinkled with humor! She will make you laugh, cry, and shine a refreshingly new light on life's challenges.
Television Interviews
Contact Tami at tamiwest@tamiwest.com or follow her at Tami West Seminars.
Comments