Augusta Rogowski (MA)

Positive psychologists have developed a number of techniques (Positive Psychology Interventions, or PPIs) that can make us feel happier pretty much instantly. PPIs include such wellbeing-enhancing activities as writing a gratitude journal, being kind to others, identifying personal strengths and replaying happy memories. These are simple self-help strategies, but they can require a substantial effort because such activities as expressing gratitude or positive self-talk may not come naturally to a lot of people. However, PPIs are well worth learning and using in daily life. In addition to immediately boosting mood, they are also remarkably effective in improving physical and psychological health in the long term by encouraging resilience, insight, sense of purpose, optimism and altruism. This is true for people who have a diagnosis of a mental illness, as well as those who do not.