It is surprising that I often meet people who tell me they have everything, a great network of family and friends, health and enough money to live comfortably, yet they do not feel truly happy.

The relatively new field of positive psychology offers a different way of looking at things by drawing attention to our strengths as well as finding simple ways that we can increase wellbeing, contentment and positivity.

Traditionally focus has been on the ‘disease’ model with regard to mental health. We examine the trauma, the negative behaviour patterns, what has been going wrong. Clearly for some people the opportunity to talk about their own difficulties and anxieties gives them a tremendous sense of relief and release, a feeling that they are being listened to and supported.

But for others there is a need to move forward, finding ways that they can build resilience and wellbeing in order to live more happily in the present.

I am showing my age here but in the same way that you used to be able to tune your radio to the stations that you like, you can begin to re-tune your mind too. It could be noticing a rainbow in the Suffolk sky, relishing the taste of a delicious cake that you have just made or feeling the warmth of a stranger’s smile. Of course we cannot just erase the negatives, life happens and it has to be dealt with, but with practice I believe it is possible to develop your own ‘positivity radar’.

Taking time to give sincere thanks to others who have made a difference in your life can help too. The other day I decided to email my son’s piano teacher telling him about how his encouragement and enthusiasm has led to my son now working as a jazz pianist. It hopefully made Ken the music man feel good and it reminded me that we are often surrounded by wonderful people, so we should thank them. Try it and see how it can be an instant mood-booster.

Finding something unique to you which enables you to experience the concept of flow or sometimes referred to as ‘being in the zone’ is equally important for happiness and wellbeing. This could be cycling or crochet, it really doesn’t matter as long as you experience that feeling of being totally absorbed in the moment. It also helps if there is an element of challenge in the activity.

To experience a more long lasting happiness we need to sew a few deeper seeds too. Very often in my practice I meet people who have just retired and are aware of no longer having a role or purpose in life. Whilst volunteering is not for everyone it can help to give back a sense of purpose as well as providing a new group of friends. The importance of social interaction, particularly as we age, is well known. If not volunteering it can be helping a neighbour, looking after the grandchildren or litterpicking, whatever you can do which gives you a sense of involvement with the people and communities around you.

Best wishes everyone.

Wendy x

For more information on positive psychology see www.positivepsychology.org.uk