“Living an Olympic Life”

I spent the last 2 days at the first conference of the brand new Canadian Positive Psychology Association (www.positivepsychologycanada.com), where I had the pleasure of learning from an inspiring array of professionals working in the inspiring field of positive psychology.

Among them was Greg Wells, Ph.D. (www.drgregwells.com), a physiologist who spoke to us via Livestream from the site of the London Olympics (www.london2012.com). Greg explained what “living an Olympic life” includes, from a physiological perspective.

Similarly, many of the other excellent presenters whom I included in my 2-day schedule (there were so many of them to choose from!!) described other important elements of living the good life–from a psychological perspective–such as:

Pursuing our passions in a way that is in harmony with our other goals and values, vs. in a way that rigidly rules out a balanced, healthy, and fulfilling life (thank you Robert Vallerand, Ph.D., Social Psychologist @ UQAM)
Reconnecting to our “intrinsic” goals and values (such as personal growth and respect for others), because throughout life we can lose sight of them in a society and/or in families that emphasize the seeming rewards of “extrinsic” goals and values (such as popularity and material possessions). Seeming, because in time over-focusing on these “rewards” can promote unethical choices and/or gradually lead to anxiety, addiction, and/or depression (thank you Frederick Grouzet, Ph.D., Social Psychologist @ U Vic)
Using “affiliative” humour, which enhances relationships and promotes coping, whilst minimizing “aggressive and self-defeating” humour, which makes fun of others and/or ourselves (thank you Kim Edwards, Clinical Psychologist Rod Martin’s graduate student @ UWO)
Honoring both your positive and your negative emotions (i.e., “positive” psychology is about so much more than simply focusing on the positive!) (thank you Tayyab Rashid, Ph.D., C.Psych, @ U of T)

For help with making your own life an “Olympic” one, please feel free to contact me. Thank you, and Go for Gold!!!

Note that this post is not psychotherapy / counselling; please contact me or another professional if you require these services. If you need urgent support, consider Toronto Distress Centres at 416.408.4357. If you need immediate help, call 911 or consider going to your local Emergency Room. Note this post is for information only, does not imply that a professional relationship has been established with readers, is not advice of any kind (including it is not medical advice or any other type of advice; please contact a physician if you need medical advice), and does not imply intent to provide professional services to readers. Intended audience: Current adult residents of the Canadian province of Ontario only.