Welcome to the fifteenth edition of the 'A Work In Progress... Continued' newsletter. Sharing the latest research, ideas and thoughts around workplace wellbeing. In this edition I'm reflection on the tough times many of those around me are experiencing at the moment and the importance of cultivating positivity to life.

In every walk of life, there are moments when we find ourselves enveloped in darkness. Life's challenges, uncertainties, and adversities can cast long shadows over our path, leaving us feeling lost and disheartened. Leaving our wellbeing damaged and exposed. Yet, amidst this darkness, there exists a singular profound truth — a beacon of hope that guides us through even the darkest of times: nyctinasty.

Nyctinasty, a botanical phenomenon wherein flowers and plants close at night, serves as a poignant metaphor for our own journey through life. Just as flowers instinctively turn their faces towards the sun, seeking its nourishing light, so too must we learn to focus on the light in our lives to nurture our mental wellbeing.

In a world fraught with negativity and despair, it is all too easy to succumb to the shadows that loom large around us. But it is in these specific moments of darkness that we must summon the courage to turn our faces towards the sun — to seek out the rays of positivity and hope that pierce through the gloom.

Modern life seems more difficult than ever

For a good year now, I find myself hearing from many friends, colleagues, and family members about how challenging they are finding life. Financial strains, death of loved ones, terminal illnesses, the memory of the pandemic and various conflicts are all adding to collective worsening mood. The reality is that modern life is quite tough and for many of us, weighs a bit more heavily than it used to. The negative news cycle, disappointment in Government, crisis after crisis – these are all contributing to our cups, piling on top of life’s usual challenges, causing them to overflow. When it was just own our lives we worried about, our capacity to deal was somewhat easier. But now we are dragged into low mood by so many things that don't exist in our own, personal daily lives.

Like I wrote about in the last newsletter, our energy is finite and thus we must manage it well. With so much negativity drawing energy from us, we have no choice but to face the sun to recharge; to find as much positivity as we can to build our resilience up. Even when there may seem like there isn't much positivity to choose from.

For every setback, there is often a lesson to be learned. For every challenge, there is an opportunity for growth. It is through embracing these moments of light and kindness, however fleeting they may seem, that we find the strength to persevere. It is in the warmth of a smile, a supportive comment, the kindness of a stranger, and the beauty of nature that we discover the true essence of life.

But finding light in the midst of darkness is not merely about ignoring the negative — it is about actively choosing to focus on the positive. It is about cultivating a mindset of gratitude and appreciation for the blessings that surround us each day. It is about acknowledging the inherent goodness in humanity and allowing it to uplift and inspire us.

Strive to be like resilient flowers and plants

In our pursuit of happiness and fulfilment, let us not be deterred by the shadows that threaten to engulf us. Instead, let us strive to be like the resilient flowers that unfurl their petals in the light of day, undeterred by the darkness that night may bring. As, we embark on this journey of self-discovery and empowerment, let us remember that the power to overcome lies within each and every one of us. Let us embrace nyctinasty as a symbol of resilience, courage, and hope. And let us never forget that even in the darkest of nights, the light of possibility and potential shines brightly, illuminating our path and guiding us towards a brighter tomorrow.

This approach requires effort. We have to force ourselves to find the positive in our lives sometimes. It’s often hidden and not as loud as negativity can be. So we have to create the conditions for this to be easier to do. We must create specific moments to reflect on and capture the energy of the positives that can be found even in the darkest of days.

For your employees, communicate the power of reflecting on the days positivity. Give them the time and opportunity to focus on what has gone well, what good they saw in a day that may usually be chalked up as a tough one. The wellbeing app I run has a journaling feature built into it, but a piece of paper and ‘a pen works just as well. Taking just ten minutes each day to reflect on the positives in our days has a significant and profound impact on us. The evidence is truly compelling:

-              Gratitude journaling helps us to be happier in uncertain times

-              It makes us suffer less from psychological distress

-              Journaling makes you happier and more resilient

-              It makes you happier and even 20% more productive at work

“Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” – Albus Dumbledore

My friends, I urge you to embrace the magnificence of nyctinasty — to turn your faces towards the sun more often and to bask in its radiant warmth. For it is in these moments of light and positivity that we find the energy and propulsion to push through life's challenges and emerge stronger, wiser, and more resilient than ever before. Every single day, no matter how dark, has something to give us. If you look for it, you will find it.

 

My team have been working on some new content recently: Hope Casts.

A series of uplifting, immersive video experiences to encourage feelings of optimism and to force lighter emotions. The evidence found by my team of psychologists suggests that watching these types of videos can produce restorative brain activity and even counteract some of the mental impacts of spending time working. Take just two minutes now and tell us how it made you feel in the comments, we'd love to know if this kind of simple content is useful.

Watch the full video here: https://vimeo.com/932391123?share=copy

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