Attending ES & CP has helped . The writing exercise helps to get the stress out of you and onto the page so that it ’ s no longer buzzing in your head ...
Recovery College student
Experience Stories and Creative Positivity ( ES & CP ), is a three-week course that explores how creativity in its varied forms can be a conduit for developing a more hopeful , optimistic and grateful outlook , drawing upon research into the benefits of positive psychology .
Along with Recovery College students , occupational therapist Lucy Thompson and Recovery College wellbeing practitioner Gina Grimwood have been exploring the benefits of positive psychology and creativity , while evaluating the impact on the students who have attended the course .
One of the first discussions in the course was around creativity . Did our students consider themselves creative ? What are some ‘ thinking outside the box ’ ways to be creative ? How can we bring more creativity into our lives ?
Through these shared discussions , our students discovered that they are more creative than they realised . As a group , we had opened up the definition of creativity . Our students were beginning to ‘ think creatively ’ about getting creative .
We explored not only the benefits of creativity , but how being creative can be part of fostering a positive outlook .
Many of our students have shared that the pandemic and the experience of lockdown has left them struggling for hope and optimism . Within the ES & CP course , we explored tools and techniques to empower our students to move towards positivity .
Our students were particularly inspired by Shawn Achor ’ s Ted Talk ‘ The happy secret to better work ’, in which he discusses positive psychology ( www . youtube . com / watch ? v = fLJsdqxnZb0 ). The notion that we tend to operate on a model of ‘ work harder , equals more successful , equals happiness ’ is explored in the video .
Achor suggests we need to reverse that formula and prioritise happiness . He offers examples of how to combine creativity and positive psychology for the benefit of our wellbeing .
An exercise we encouraged our students to try was a meaningful activity ‘ lucky dip ’. This is a very simple , yet positive and effective exercise , in
This course changed my thinking about other ways of being creative , such as being in the garden … photography and meeting up with others with the same interests , like my dogs . I have now got a decent camera and am thinking of taking photos of my dogs .
Recovery College student
I love that Shawn Anchor video about positive psychology – made me smile and think back to my childhood . It helps to think about having a glass half full , not half empty attitude . Looking at things from a different perspective , they are not as scary and you ’ re more able to deal with them .
which students fill in a grid ( or write onto
Recovery College student
post-it notes ) a number of creative activities – activities that are in-line with their values and supportive to their wellbeing . They then place these activities in a box or envelope and draw out one each day , having already scheduled ‘ me time ’ in their diaries dedicated to it . For example , taking a mindful walk , journaling or listening to uplifting music .
One very popular activity was free writing . This is a creative writing exercise in which there are no rules , except that the pen must not stop moving . Spelling and grammar do not matter – nor is there any need to edit .
If struggling for something to write , our students wrote ‘ I need an idea …’ until something came to mind . It did not matter whether they ended up writing about their shopping list or what they dreamt the night before . The act of writing itself was beneficial .
We also explored using a soothing or inspiring visual prompt , sentence opener or writing to music . Following the course , students have the opportunity to engage with the college magazine , provide feedback or have their lived experience story published .
Other popular lucky dip activities include gratitude and affirmation practices , following on from course activities , as well as the practices we explored around being conscious of the positive or judgemental language we tend to use when speaking to ourselves .
We explored how negative self-talk can maintain anxiety levels and encouraged our students to ask themselves : would you speak to a trusted friend that way ?
COVID-19 and lockdown has dramatically altered people ’ s daily routines and social connections . We found the meaningful , creative activities facilitated by exploring a positive outlook fostered motivation to think creatively about how to connect and how to live a fulfilling life with a meaningful routine .
Student feedback ( see quotes ) has suggested that positive psychology is a fantastic means of inspiring changes in thought patterns and a greater sense of hope and optimism .
References
Emmons RA ( 2013 ) Gratitude works ! A 21 day program for creating emotional prosperity ( 1st ed ). Jossey-Bass
MENTAL HEALTH FEATURE
... I have just looked at the magazine as a reminder of things to do , and find it keeps things current in your mind – the positive stuff .
Recovery College student
Gina Grimwood , Recovery College wellbeing practitioner , Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust , email : Gina . Grimwood @ mpft . nhs . uk and Lucy Thompson , Recovery College occupational therapist , Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust , email : Lucy . Thompson26 @ nhs . net , Inclusion Recovery College Thurrock
OTnews August 2021 39