Book Description

Roots of Positive Change, Optimizing Health Care with Positive Psychology reviews the science of positive psychology and its impact on health and well-being, providing guidance to physicians and other health professionals on how to practically implement this science into clinical practice. The book is written in a format that is accessible to anyone interested in the topic and applying it to their personal well-being. The foreword by eminent positive psychology researcher, Barbara Fredrickson, sets the stage for this pioneering book, which is a breakthrough in the movement to harness positive psychology for health care. Chapters cover key topics, including the types of activities shown to boost positive emotions and improve emotional well-being (such as mindfulness, gratitude practice, and acts of kindness); conducting well-being assessments; prescribing positive activities as part of treatment interventions; redesigning health care practices to integrate positive psychology strategies; coaching health behavior change using positive psychology techniques; implementing quality improvement processes to enhance these services; teaching, modeling and advocating for positive psychology in health care; and promoting well-being of physicians and other health care workers. The chapters are cross-referenced, so that readers can go directly to the topic(s) of interest. Key information is presented in bulleted formats and summary charts for easy access.Lifestyle medicine, the area of medicine that emphasizes healthy lifestyles treatment, is highlighted as an early adopter of positive psychology due to the reciprocal and reinforcing nature of healthy habits and positive emotions. Recommendations for how core competencies in the practice of lifestyle medicine can be enhanced with emphasis on positive psychology are presented. The book acknowledges that more research is needed to delineate best practices for applying positive psychology in health care and points to research questions that can pave the way. Innovative, yet practical, this contribution to the health, medical and psychology literature will resonate as an essential reference for those aiming to make a difference in their personal health and well-being and in the lives of their patients.