Positive Psychology

This chapter serves as an introduction to a variety of interventions that have been shown to positively impact well-being. Psychologists Lazarus and Folkman categorized coping into two broad types: problem-focused coping and emotion-focused coping. Emotional self-care is a multidimensional construct, encompassing self-awareness, the regulation and expression of emotions, the cultivation of self-compassion and kindness, the maintenance of boundaries between personal and professional life, and the use of adaptive coping strategies. The chapter covers a few frameworks and coping strategies that have been explicitly examined in veterinary medicine. Self-awareness, emotional regulation, and expression are central to a skill set known as emotional intelligence. Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention with calm, nonjudgmental awareness – being present to both internal states and external surroundings. Gratitude, hope, and optimism are closely linked yet distinct traits within positive psychology. While religion and spirituality share several principles, they are distinct entities.