After introducing the PERMA model last week, we’re now eager to dive deeper into its first element, positive emotions. By consciously cultivating and hanessing positive emotions, you can nurture your own wellbeing and ultimately provide better care to those you serve.
Practical Strategies to Cultivate Poitive Emotions
So how can we tap into positive emotions? Below, we have compiled some practical tips to help guide you in recognising and embracing the positive facets of your life.
Practice Gratitude: Take a moment each day to put your attention on the things you are grateful for. It could be as simple as noticing the support of your colleagues, attending to the difference you’re making in patients’ lives, or the beauty of a sunrise. Keep a gratitude diary if you like!
Find Joy in Everyday Moments: Attend to the small joys that arise throughout your day. Notice the laughter of a patient, the shared camaraderie with colleagues, or the satisfaction of successfully overcoming a challenge. Allow yourself to be fully present in these moments, savouring the positive experiences. Pay attention to how the joy feels in your body.
Engage in Self-Care: Prioritise activities that bring you a moment of joy and rejuvenate your spirit. Engage in hobbies, exercise, spend time in nature, or indulge in healthy activities that help you unwind and recharge. Structure your routine to allow for moment of self-care, i.e.: add a stop between work and home where you can take a walk or exercise. The key is to pay full attention in these moments, and not ruminate, plan, or get stuck in your own head!
Celebrate Successes: Savour and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. Purposefully put your attention on the successes, as we so easily focus on the negative. Take a hold of your mind! Recognise your professional growth, commend yourself for your efforts, and revel in the positive impact you have on patients’ lives.
Foster Positive Relationships: Surround yourself with supportive and positive individuals. Cultivate relationships with colleagues who uplift and inspire you. Take risks to reach out to those who you trust and perhaps haven’t seen for some time. Can be as simple as a ‘thinking of you’ text or suggest a salsa dancing class together!
Practice Mindfulness: Take moments to pause, breathe, and observe your thoughts and emotions without judgment. Use ‘transition moments’ that happen in the day, i.e.: First thing in the morning, sit on the side of the bed before getting up or grabbing your phone, take 1 minute to check-in with yourself; the time between home and work, sit in the car for 3 mins and active your 5 senses to ground in the moment; Just before your 1st sip of coffee, pause and pay attention to the smell, the look and the feelings anticipating your first coffee gives you!
Benefits of Embracing Positive Emotions
By deciding to consciously cultivate and pay attention to positive emotion, you can reap numerous benefits as a health professional:
Enhanced wellbeing and reinforce more positive emotions: reduce stress levels, boost immunity, improve energy levels and increase resilience in the face of challenges. Also, shift your perspective and mindset, build self-awareness and boost self-esteem.
Increased Job Satisfaction: Embracing joy, gratitude, and contentment can help you find meaning and purpose in your work, ultimately leading to greater satisfaction in your profession and reduce burn out.
Improved Patient Care: When you prioritise your own wellbeing and embrace positive emotions, you become better equipped to provide compassionate care to your patients. Positive emotions help create a supportive and empathetic environment, fostering trust and improving the patient experience.
Stay tuned for part 3 next week, as we delve into the next element of the PERMA model: Engagement, and explore how it contributes to your overall wellbeing.
