Introduction
Modern life is filled with sources of stress that can destroy a person’s life unless they have healthy coping mechanisms. However, selecting and applying said techniques requires sufficient knowledge of theories and concepts related to one’s mental status. It is up to psychologists to consult people on dealing with psychological disorders and life struggles (King, 2020). People who need help may find it difficult to sustain a healthy mentality themselves, as their life situations are unique and must be analyzed by an experienced specialist. There is a plethora of research, yet connecting theories regarding stress with peoples’ experiences requires extensive study of the subject. This paper will discuss psychological concepts contained in five different news articles and propose real-life applications of theories based on the provided examples.
Applying Mindful Meditation Techniques in Hospitals
It is not uncommon nowadays for people to experience negative thoughts in challenging environments, yet some are more susceptible to adverse outcomes due to changes in society. For example, healthcare settings expose their workers to excessive stress due to COVID-19, and the accumulated burnout and exhaustion continue to put nurses’ well-being at risk (Firth, 2022). The article “Nurses report continued mental health issues for the third year in a row” by Shannon Firth highlights that the solution to the critical issue of nurses’ burnout lies in the practical application of psychology. The paper is based on surveys that reveal that support programs remain nearly non-existent, while post-pandemic well-being rankings on a 1-10 scale are down by 26% (Firth, 2022). It is essential for employers and governmental organizations to include these measures in future policies to avoid mass quitting and a decrease in the quality of care.
The interventions are also reviewed alongside the adverse experiences of nurses. The primary idea of the article is that there is a spike in mental health issues among nursing personnel that needs to be dealt with through evidence-based strategies and additional support from their employers (Firth, 2022). Without the much-needed assistance and commitment to resolving the crisis, the overall quality of healthcare is bound to decline. The dissatisfaction of nursing personnel only adds stress, as 95% of surveyees stated that their employers do not focus on resolving the issue, despite having knowledge of the hindrance (Firth, 2022). Commitment to keeping the population healthy does not stop with hospitals’ patients.
Burnout can be highly detrimental to one’s career and personal life, as negative emotions may manifest through physical conditions. Due to this phenomenon, mindfulness meditation is a suitable choice for therapy. It does not focus on pretending that negative thoughts or feelings do not exist but teaches people how to control their response to negative factors (King, 2020). With the amount of pressure nurses have on their workplace, it would be unhealthy to attempt to avoid thinking about work at all. The article shows that controlling hospital environments helps nurses to cope with adverse encounters that are bound to occur in that setting (Firth, 2022). However, a person needs to learn how to achieve that state of mind that allows one to push past distracting thoughts and psychologists’ interventions are required to resolve such a widespread phenomenon.
Coping mechanisms are a vital part of dealing with high-stress situations. The article pinpoints that the issues that remain present even after the COVID-19 outbreak and the excessive pressure on healthcare facilities that followed must be dealt with. Otherwise, chronic stress leads to absenteeism, cynicism, depersonalization, and resentment, as well as the development of physical conditions, such as headaches and sleep disturbance (King, 2020). In turn, mindful meditation, which is proposed as one of the methods of preventing burnout, is a viable solution to chronic stress. This coping mechanism focuses on recognizing negative emotions and thoughts and remaining in a positive, productive mood (King, 2020). Methodic relaxation is shown to be one of the crucial tools that hospitals can provide in the work environment, which is heavily limiting in terms of physical activities.
The article illustrates the need for healthcare organizations to consider yoga-inspired practices that reduce stress. The real-life application of mindfulness meditation may take the form of weekly courses that can help employees who work under harsh conditions by applying these techniques after an exhausting day of work. It provides an example of how the lack of said training can adversely influence modern healthcare or any other work setting that has many stress factors. Data from such a survey can lie at the heart of guidelines for medical facilities, as the current situation requires a systematic solution.
Understanding Positive Psychology
While many works focus on adverse events and how theories in psychology explain and help deal with mental issues, it is also essential to understand how happiness works. The article by Marchese called “Yale’s happiness professor says anxiety is destroying her students” focuses on identifying factors that can effectively combat anxiety and depression in modern life. Marchese’s interview with Laurie Santos provides a mind-opening take on the worthiness of time-consuming pursuits. The author recognizes that there are numerous false beliefs that can lull people into believing that they are on their way to happiness, including instant gratification and the constant pursuit of materialistic goods (Marchese, 2022). However, it is not what is needed for people to feel genuinely happy, as there are needs other than money that people must take into account. For example, Santos argues that an individual can get happier by sleeping more and having less stressful daily encounters instead of working tirelessly to earn more money (Marchese, 2022). There is a limit to happiness that can be earned with such an approach in the current circumstances of many people’s lives.
The paper concerns the value of positive thinking and risk-versus-reward situations. Positive psychology shows that each individual has a need to maintain a balance in their life that can be considered a stress management program, as handling pressure requires one to be aware of their strengths (King, 2020). However, people, especially youth, are often unable to follow healthy habits or focus on positive ideas and practices without outside assistance. There must be a sense of belonging that gives one meaning to their actions, making it easier to follow stricter rules. For example, people from religious communities are often happier, although not due to their faith itself, but due to the social connections that come with it (Marchese, 2022). Without this stimulus, people become complacent with their situation, get stuck in potentially disastrous circumstances, and do not look forward with any optimism.
This article promotes the idea that there are inherent values that people seek for self-completion. The concept of positive psychology is shown through the topic of moderating effects of appropriate ways of gratification and how one’s strengths can be turned into a life-driving force. The professor argues that the reasons behind depression and anxiety partially lie in humans’ natural unwillingness to seek more complex ways to satisfy their needs, despite the adverse impacts of the most widely available tools, such as fast food or Netflix shows (Marchese, 2022). There is a sense of urgency to fulfill one’s wishes that prevents people from focusing on positive thoughts and events. While positive psychology calls for recognition of one’s strengths, this factor also becomes corrupted when viewed through the lens of modern-day capitalism and a value-chasing mindset (King, 2020; Marchese, 2022). Students may set unrealistic goals for their future based on their perceived advantages, creating a situation where they have to follow this exceedingly hard path without having sufficient resources. Instead of directing their attention to controlled growth, people begin to exhibit the type A behavior pattern associated with excessive competitiveness and hostility (King, 2020). It is possible to derive an alternative course of action through the analysis of factors that are shown to be detrimental in this interview article. For example, cultivating behaviors that lead to a more relaxing, patient, and positive personality can significantly improve the well-being of younger generations.
Moreover, the concept of optimism is also covered in the article. By focusing on immediate pleasures or on the possibility of future prospects that will require one to work to exhaustion, a person surrenders to the idea that adverse encounters may prevent them from enjoying life. In turn, an optimistic worldview that comes with expectations of positive events is linked with better physical and mental health (King, 2020). The real-life application of positive psychology that can be derived from the article is the need to train individuals how to abstain from unhealthy coping mechanisms that are easily accessible.
Prevalence of Depressive Disorders Among Younger Generations
Nowadays, anxiety and depression are exceedingly prevalent, which is a great concern by itself. However, the fact that students are even more at risk than adults indicates a grim prospect for future generations, as at least one in three college attendees has these mental disorders (Leonhardt, 2022). The paper “60% of college kids are living with mental health issues” by Megan Leonhardt revolves around students and their mental health. Even despite students’ opportunity to meet their emotional needs through daily social interactions, they often experience loneliness and abstract themselves from the outside world due to the expectations society puts on them (Leonhardt, 2022). As an outcome, their future may be jeopardized without properly addressing the situation.
While students have faced stress factors before, there are events that have made the situation worse. The roots of the issue may lie in the societal changes that affect the rest of the population, such as COVID-19 lockdowns, the economic crisis, and social media influences (Leonhardt, 2022). However, the pressure on young adults who must prepare themselves to take on new roles in an even more complex environment puts dread into their minds that is difficult to shake off without external support. At the same time, there is a drastic shortage of structures necessary to provide said assistance, as counseling centers and well-being courses are rarely, if at all, available (Leonhardt, 2022). Such struggles among youth can create chaos in society later on, as unemployment, missed life goals, and other detrimental effects are bound to take place.
The article is related to the most common mental health disorder and explains well how its effects are detrimental to society. Students are more susceptible to depression than adults due to their lack of experience in dealing with such issues (Leonhardt, 2022). Stressful events overlap with sociocultural changes, and a vulnerable part of the population is exposed to these risk factors. This psychological phenomenon is a result of a reduction in receptors for serotonin and norepinephrine and causes one to remain depressed (King, 2020). Such a mental condition can lead to a further decrease in a person’s quality of life as they grow accustomed to negative circumstances. The article illustrates that major depressive disorder has become so prevalent for many students during the past two years that it led 18% of surveyed Zoomers to consider suicide (Leonhardt, 2022). This waking call for educational facilities and society at large reveals the need to incorporate theories from psychology into students’ academic lives.
This news piece shows the connection between depressive disorder, its common risk factors, and the adverse outcomes that may follow if said factors are not removed from one’s environment. Young adults experience combined pressure from stress sources such as the lack of sleep, the excess of easily accessible ways of self-gratification, and the cultural focus on the value of the individual (King, 2020). They are also exposed to societal and academic challenges, further heightened by the need to avoid physical contact with others during the lockdown. The psychological theory that can assist people with changing the direction of that alarming statistic is learned helplessness and ways to combat its impact. In order to apply this concept in real life, it is essential to seek ways to alleviate students’ exposure to situations where they experience continuous negative thoughts that lead to self-defeating beliefs (King, 2020). Further analysis of the situation that younger generations often find themselves in can determine the course of action for psychological interventions applicable in educational facilities.
Creating a Positive Organizational Culture
While many major companies may struggle with keeping their workers happy, there are solutions stemming from theories in psychology that may resolve many problems that workers face. When viewed as communities, companies become more structurally sound and resilient, as workers feel appreciated and valued (Lohr, 2020). The article “Remote but inclusive for years, and now showing other companies how” by Steve Lohr shows how a workplace can easily become a welcoming sight for all workers. The paper follows the company called Ultranauts, which acquired a significant competitive advantage by creating an inclusive and positive work environment (Lohr, 2020). This approach provides an outlet for people whose tasks require creative thinking and excellent analytical skills, and the firm’s success proves this point. Ultranauts does not conduct structured interviews or consider one’s previous experience, nor does it shy away from hiring people on the autistic spectrum (Lohr, 2020). While some companies might consider such a practice unfit for their line of work, many improvements to a work environment can ensure that workers feel appreciated and valued by their peers.
In the case of Ultranauts, a positive attitude toward employees shows how psychology can help firms grow. One of the key features of the company’s rules that uphold its organizational culture is the openness of communication among employees from all hierarchical levels, which gives people a sense of belonging and mutual respect (Lohr, 2020). It has a lasting impact on the performance of all workers. The concept of an organizational culture presents a set of norms and shared ideas on which a work environment is built (King, 2020). If this concept is properly executed, a firm’s workflow becomes steadier, and job stress goes down.
The article’s take on employees’ affirmation and motivation correlates with psychology’s take on a proper organizational culture. Fairness, safety, and honesty are the pillars of a well-functioning organization (King, 2020). The phenomenon of positive affirmation is also shown to be highly beneficial. Leaders of the company ensure that employees of Ultranauts feel appreciated and their preferences are always taken into consideration (Lohr, 2020). This notion indicates a close link between one’s output and mental well-being. The concept of a positive organizational culture does not only bring employees happiness and makes them content through working at such companies, but it also greatly improves their productivity (Lohr, 2020). Therefore, firms must strive to create a near-ideal atmosphere that will nurture a positive attitude toward cooperation and teamwork, thus boosting their competitive advantage. Psychology can provide solutions to problems that persist within an organization and allow leaders to adjust their followers’ beliefs to strengthen their commitment.
Companies may apply this theory by striving to hire people without toxic habits and award those who align their values with those of their employers. For example, stating a firm’s goals and the reasons behind them is a popular method of attracting employees who will fit within these parameters. The concept of job satisfaction is also considered as Ultranauts explores the benefits of continuous employee feedback (Lohr, 2020). Its real-life usage may significantly boost a firm’s value by exposing flaws and deficiencies in its operations. The article shares how to promote affective commitment among workers and play on their strengths in a constantly shifting market environment.
Preventing Cardiovascular Diseases through Pets
It is impossible to avoid the topic of the COVID-19 lockdown when discussing stress. This source of numerous societal issues has an adverse impact on the U.S. population’s mental health with long-lasting consequences. As with many other recent posts, this opinion piece indirectly covers the impact of the pressure on people’s well-being (Renkl, 2022). The article “Your pandemic puppy was not a Mistake” by Margaret Renkl discusses how pets saved people from slipping into depression during the lockdown and what the aftermath is. With the sharp decrease in opportunities for social interactions in the past two years, people needed an outlet for their emotions and thoughts, and dogs provided it. During the lockdown, as many as 23 million households in the United States adopted a pet (Renkl, 2022). It might have been an impulsive decision for some people, yet it was a proper move under such limiting circumstances.
Inadvertently, new pet owners might have efficiently reduced their risks of developing cardiovascular diseases. The reason behind this connection is both simple and scientifically proven. For example, Renkl argues that positive interactions with house dogs “lower a person’s blood pressure, reduce stress hormones, calm anxiety, even make it easier to interact with other human beings” (para. 14). Even if a dog is not specifically trained as a service animal, its presence can become a deciding argument in developing healthy habits due to the necessity to meet an animal’s needs. It is impossible to count the number of depression cases prevented by dogs alone during the lockdown, yet their impact is certainly positive.
The article provides a clear link between an individual’s stress and pets’ ability to distract their owners from its risk factors. The calming effects of animal-human interactions are especially apparent in service dogs assigned to war veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), who often struggle with high stress levels and loneliness (King, 2020). In turn, COVID-19 has led to people severing or significantly limiting their connections with others, which puts them in a life situation similar to said veterans. Loneliness is a common source of stress and often impairs people’s physical health, as loners have higher chances of heart attacks and overall increased mortality (King, 2020). At the same time, dogs are excellent companions for exercise and can promote an active lifestyle, thus also decreasing the chances of having a heart attack. Aside from improving one’s physical condition, dogs can help normalize a person’s daily schedule and life-work balance, although it might require drastic adjustments. Pets allow their owners to take their minds off their daily problems by giving people both responsibility and social contact.
The real-world application of the idea covered in the article is the usage of pets as an anti-stress mechanism for people who may be experiencing loneliness and depression. This opinion post clearly indicates that, even though people may encounter issues with finding a pet-friendly apartment, their new friends are worthy of the inconvenience through their positive impact on the human psyche. Pets can effectively decrease people’s chances of developing heart conditions by preventing stress-related hormones from accumulating. There are also indirect effects that can be considered beneficial for people with mental disorders or who are prone to stress and struggle to find a coping mechanism. For example, a stricter schedule can benefit younger generations, especially when an individual’s life is in a chaotic state. Pet ownership covers psychological concepts of exercise, behavioral changes, and social support in a single, life-changing decision to adopt an animal.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are numerous ways that psychology theories can help people increase or maintain their mental and physical well-being. The widespread decrease in mental health that is addressed to the recent virus outbreak made it clear that people seek any available help to alleviate their stress. Simultaneously, these articles reveal how positive thinking can benefit individuals and companies alike. Methods may range from medication to counseling to meditation to pet ownership. Observations such as the ones provided in the articles can serve as fuel for future research on human psychology. The concepts given in the article reveal that this field of study plays an essential part in resolving modern-day problems that concern all parts of society. It is essential to provide individuals with ways to reduce their stress and accommodate their preferences and specifics when deciding what solutions must be applied to promote their mental and physical health.
References
Firth, S. (2022). Nurses report continued mental health issues for the third year in a row. Medpage Today.
King, L. A. (2020). The science of psychology: An appreciative view (5th ed.). McGraw-Hill.
Leonhardt, M. (2022). 60% of college kids are living with mental health issues. Fortune.
Lohr, S. (2020). Remote but inclusive for years, and now showing other companies how. The New York Times.
Marchese, D. (2022). Yale’s happiness professor says anxiety is destroying her students. The New York Times.
Renkl, M. (2022). Your pandemic puppy was not a mistake. The New York Times.