In search of the happiness and well-being, many people focus on changing their external environment, seeking satisfaction in material things, superficial relationships, or external achievements. However, the true path to psychological well-being and happiness is to forge character. He character refers to the internal features of a person that influence their behaviour, decisions and emotions. By developing and strengthening our character, we can cultivate qualities such as resilienceoptimism, gratitudeempathy and self-discipline, which allows us to face life’s challenges more effectively and enjoy a more fulfilling life.
In this field, I love reading research from Carol Ryff, Director of the Institute on Aging and Professor of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and undoubtedly one of the most influential psychologists in the field of psychological well-being. From her perspective, the welfare It is not simply the absence of disease, but it is a optimal state of human development. Ryff has researched for decades the characteristics that define psychological well-being, establishing that self-acceptance, autonomy, personal growth, commitment, positive relationships and mastery of the environment are key dimensions of psychological well-being. mental health. His research has been fundamental to understanding the role that psychological well-being plays in people’s quality of life, and his studies have been published in the main scientific journals in the field of psychology.
And to achieve the psychological well-beingit is essential to properly forge character, which isrequires patience… a virtue that is less and less fashionable, in addition to dedication and effort.
Keys to achieve psychological well-being
1) Practice the gratitude: Being grateful for all the good things that happen in life helps to experience a greater feeling of happiness and satisfaction with life. If we practice an attitude of gratitude, we will realize that there are hundreds of pleasant moments throughout the day that we can enjoy, and that usually go unnoticed. For example, when the alarm clock goes off in the morning we can feel unfortunate for having to get up early, however, the one who sets the alarm clock is because he has things to do. That is, he has reasons to be grateful for: he has children to prepare to go to school, a job to go to, etc. How many people would love to be able to prepare their children to go to school, and instead, on occasions, the fathers or mothers who do it complain about having to do it! That is, gratitude helps focus on what positive and to develop a more positive attitude towards life in general.
2) Build resilience: Life is full of ups and downs and facing challenges can be difficult. However, resilience helps us find the strength, optimism and motivation to face those challenges. Obviously, this implies being willing to accept mistakes (own and others), difficulties and small setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow, instead of seeing them as failures. In doing so, a growth and learning perspective is adopted that contributes to building a more resilient mindset, which undoubtedly favors greater psychological well-being.
3) Practice Self-Discipline, which is the ability to control our actions, thoughts and emotions. practice the self-discipline it helps us to improve self-esteem and self-confidence, as well as to make more conscious decisions.
4) Set goals: Having clear and achievable goals can help develop the perseverance and discipline necessary to achieve them. Setting goals also helps you focus on what’s important and take concrete steps to achieve what you want. Prioritizing is essential; There is no time for everything. When setting goals it is essential to be realistic and consider personal limitations and external circumstances. For example, if you want to learn a new language, you can start by spending a few minutes a day practicing it, instead of trying to master it right away.
5) Foster positive relationships: Las healthy relationships They are important for happiness and well-being. Fostering family, social or work relationships helps develop empathy, compassion and communication skills. And two very important virtues to establish strong and lasting relationships are authenticity and knowing how to forgive (necessary to get rid of resentments). Authenticity helps build more genuine and meaningful relationships.
6) Last, and perhaps most important: cultivate patience. Patience is a key virtue to develop tolerance and understanding with oneself (which is also important!) and with others.
In short, building character involves cultivate a variety of qualities and virtues that are important to achieving a full and satisfying life. It is highly recommended to look for a role model to serve as a reference; Much can be learned from how a person handles life’s challenges from her or how he relates to others. For me personally, that’s why I really like to read character biographies that can serve as a model for me.