Most {known} psychological research confirms what people already know. Yep. Most psychological research could receive the “No-duh” vs. the “Nobel” award. Beyond the obvious, others are obtuse. Good luck with their titles, less the method (that consumes most of the article. But sometimes something else happens. Here, I share a study, well done AND revealing; useful for everyday application. This research yields a simple exercise that, if done, WILL reduce stress and improve your health.
I’ve offered tips to manage mood and to reduce stress before: 3 (easy) office tips to enhance your influence, 3 Surprising Motivation Killers and a couple more. But I must confess that these “tips” are mostly the result of personal experience or general knowledge acquired from multiple sources.
This is different. Or as Dorothy so astutely mentions to Toto in The Wizard of Oz, “… we’re not in Kansas anymore.” (Scariest movie I’ve ever seen…)
Although most research reveals the obvious, what’s surprising is what we do (or don’t do) with this obvious information. Just to check me, I bet you can’t think of three things off the top of your head that would make you or someone else a better person.
You did, didn’t you? (smirk)
No kidding: Why haven’t you done them? If you have, why aren’t you still doing them?
You’re probably wondering, “why is Chris shooting himself in the foot?” It kinda sounds like he’s “giving up” his own profession; “psychological research is unsurprising and insignificant.”
Not quite.
One doesn’t fold with a straight flush, and I wouldn’t with a pair of aces (or would I?). I’ve come too far (and learned too much) to give in now.
Most of you will see through my thinly veiled attempt to entice and titillate as an effort to stir up your emotions. (Not sorry)
Beyond the sarcasm, pointing this out to you is making you even more emotional, even a bit demeaned. (Still, not sorry)
There’s an old saying in psychology, “All’s fair that changes behavior the way we want.” (Well, that’s what it should say.)
No. I’m no martyr. Not at all. I’m “the Fool.”
Here, I re-present one of many findings from I-O psychology that, if applied, would help so many. But it’s buried in an academic journal that few will notice. (I won’t mention it’s not even a journal of psychology, but that’s another story.)
Per Issac Newton, … “a body at rest remains at rest unless acted upon by a force.”
Transferring to psychology, human-kind is a pretty big, “body.” Consider this, “the force.”
What follows is solid I-O psychology research with implications that can really make a difference.
Now that I hope to have gained your attention, here’s the simple activity that will make you happier and healthier:
At the end of every day, write down three (3) good things that happened and why they did.
That’s it. Easy as Pi. (What does that mean, anyway?)
Really?
Yes, that’s it. Record and reflect on three good things that happened. Your spirits will lift and your blood pressure will drop. You can reduce stress. Measure it.
Bono, Glomb, Shen, Kim and Koch. 2013. “Building Positive Resources: Effects of Positive Events and Positive Reflection on Work Stress and Health.” Academy of Management Journal, 56: 1601-1627.
Don’t get me started on why this isn’t published in a journal known for PSYCHOLOGY!
Just get on with it. Prove me wrong.
{Yes. I am cool because I used the word “hack” vs. “tactic.”}
Psychways is owned and produced by Talentlift, LLC.