Realistic optimism and mindfulness as foundations for psychological flourishing

¶ … Realistic Optimism Theory and the Mindfulness Theory

Positive psychology focuses on joy, personal strengths, wellbeing, creativity, imagination, flow, wisdom as well as features of optimistic groups and institutions. The science involved goes beyond the focus on positive thinking and positive emotions. It also focuses on factors that lead to the progress of individuals and communities, rather than on those that cause degradation and stagnation. Flourishing is considered a positive mental health condition; to thrive, prosper and successfully deal with activities without any psychological health problem, filled with emotional vigor, and work positively in both public and private realms. Recent figures show that only 18% of adults qualify as flourishing. 65% of them are temperately mentally healthy, while the rest; 17%, have a problem. As expected, flourishing has many positive aspects, such as mastery, objective creation, educational achievement, constant perseverance, and greater heights in terms of self-discipline. Thus, a discipline focusing on the development and facilitation of people that are flourishing and supportive surroundings is an important addition to subjects on psychology (Hefferon & Boniwell).

The Realistic Optimism Theory

According to Schneider, optimism broadly means propensity to hold on to a positive perspective, while realistic optimism implies propensity to hold on to a positive perspective amidst the restrictions of the present \"measurable phenomena\" found in the physical and social world. With reference to doubtful implication, realistic optimism entails centering on and enabling the positive aspects of our engagements. Instances include having tolerance when evaluating our past deeds, enthusiastically acknowledging positive aspects of our current life and regularly focusing on possible future opportunities. With reference to doubtful details, realistic optimism involves aspiring, seeking, and being hopeful of positive feelings, and at the same time acknowledging what we do not know, and accepting our shortcomings thereof. When dealing with unsettled uncertainties, realistic optimism involves working for and being hopeful of desired outcomes, particularly with little or no effort to succeed.

Commentary

Individuals can benefit from the available benefits of realistic optimism. We can nurture psychological health by means of a positive and encouraging perspective, without clouding ourselves with our human shortcomings. In our attempts to understand the real meaning of remaining well-adapted, we need to study how human realism works. Being aware of the consequences of realistic optimism could help us predict the impact of feelings, beliefs, and behaviors with regard to a number of restrictions. Within our reality, we may often be able to find a positive opinion of our position as a rightful assessment instead of a distortion or illusion, within rational boundaries of our ignorance or knowledge on what keeps us calm -- recognition of what we have experienced and mobilization for future endeavors (Schneider).

The Mindfulness Theory

Brown and Ryan state that many spiritual, philosophical, and psychological traditions emphasize the importance of valuable consciousness in the maintenance and enhancement of good health. Mindfulness is part of consciousness. It has been discussed extensively in relation to well-being. Mindfulness is often defined as the state of being attentive to, and aware of the things that are happening in the moment. Many writers have distinguished consciousness from other ways of mentally processing motives, cognition and emotions, which make individuals productive. Thus, a person can be conscious of thoughts, motives, and emotions, together with sensory and perceptual stimuli. Consciousness involves both awareness and attention. Awareness forms the radar of consciousness\' background, continually monitoring the internal and external environment. Attention entails focusing awareness with consciousness, giving serious sensitivity to a smaller number of experiences. In real sense, awareness and attention are interconnected such that attention frequently gets data from awareness. Attention then holds them focally for different periods. Although attention and awareness are relatively constant aspects of normal functioning, mindfulness can be considered an enforced attention to and awareness of current experience or present realty. Specifically, a major aspect of mindfulness can be described as open or receptive awareness and attention. This can be illustrated in a more regular or better-sustained consciousness of present events and experiences.

Commentary

According to Brown and Ryan, the advantage of mindful awareness and attention are related to psychological and physical outcomes. Mindfulness is described as a facilitator of interpersonal behavior. Being a type of receptive awareness, mindfulness can help in the creation of a time interval or gap in which an individual can look at another person\'s psychological landscape, such as the behavior choices of a person, as opposed to merely reacting to interpersonal instances. This way, it could be an important aspect in a case where better awareness and consideration of the impact of behavior appears necessary. With the same features, mindfulness can also have an impact on behaviors with societal and cultural implications, including those related to drug usage and other health-related tendencies, material consumption and other lifestyle issues. Research shows that mindfulness is reliably and validly measured. Moreover, it is greatly significant in several mental health problems.

The Relationship between Realistic Optimism and Mindfulness

Mindfulness is said to be non-judgmentally and intentionally paying attention, at the current moment, to the recounting of experience period by period. Realistic optimism, on the other hand is the tendency to hold on to a positive perspective within the constraints of the current measurable occurrences. Realistic optimists are those who usually hold on to a positive perspective even within the limits of the things they know regarding the world. Realistic optimism makes one more conscious or mindful of their thought patterns and gain skills to give them more flexibility in their viewpoint. Therefore, their relationship can be explained using these two factors at work.

Accord to Malinowski and Lim, it is beneficial to have higher mindful levels at work. The capability to move away from automatic, usual responses to distress was recognized as the most central mindfulness facet for forecasting well-being and work engagement. Moreover, mindfulness affects work involvement positively by increasing realistic optimism, hope, and positive effect that facilitate work engagement, both alone and when combined.

Realistic optimism, together with resilience, hope, and self-efficacy make up psychological resources, forming Psycap (Psychological Capital). This construct has been illustrated to lead to desirable staff behaviors (citizenship, job satisfaction, psychological health, and organizational commitment) and attitudes along with various degrees of work performance. Mindful individuals usually go through and react to emotionally demanding situations less impulsively and more flexibly; which makes them likely to have higher Psycap levels (Malinowski & Lim).