Thriving Thursday

Simply put, thriving is feeling good and functioning well.

We often use the terms “flourishing” and “thriving” interchangeably, and many people use “wellbeing” to mean the same thing – a sustained sense that life is good, meaningful and worthwhile.

Thriving also means to live and work “within an optimal range of human functioning, one that connotes goodness, generativity, growth, and resilience,” according to positive psychology researchers, Fredrickson and Losada.

Learning strategies to thrive has been shown to improve health, achievement and resilience, and can buffer people from experiencing difficulties during times of stress or hardship. Let’s be clear though – thriving is not about always having to be happy, over-optimistic, or “keeping positive”.  We can thrive and still find life tough sometimes. Acknowledging difficulties and asking for help are important components of thriving.

Another way to think of thriving is asking when is it that you are your “best self”? What helps you to be your best self?

Defining the Mental Health Continuum

Mental health has been described in a continuum model, where people can measure their mental health in terms of Thriving, Surviving, Struggling or In Crisis.

    •    Someone who is in the Thriving category will typically feel “normal”, have good sleep habits and energy. For these folks, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, practice time management, and nurture your support systems.

    •    People in the Surviving category might feel symptoms of irritability and sadness; have trouble sleeping or have low energy, muscle tension or headaches; and they might start decreasing their amount of social activity. In this category it is important to get adequate rest, food, and exercise; start engaging in healthy coping strategies; and start identifying stressors in your life.

    •    Someone in the Struggling category might feel emotional symptoms like anxiety, anger, sadness, or hopelessness. They might experience restless sleep, fatigue, aches and pains. People in this category might see a performance decline in work or school and might start withdrawing. For people in this category, it is important to talk with someone about your difficulties, seek help from a professional, and reach out to your social supports instead of withdrawing.

    •    People in the Crisis category might feel excessive anxiety, extreme emotions, and depressed moods. They might be unable to fall or stay asleep, but feel exhaustion and are often susceptible to physical illness. They might start avoiding social events and work or school. For people in this category, it is important to seek professional health as soon as possible.  Schedule a session under my services tab to get started today.

Resources

Pursue your interests and build the skills for a successful future. Home | University of Waterloo. (2024). https://uwaterloo.ca

Umbrella of the capital district. Umbrella of the Capital District. (2024). https://theumbrella.org