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In today's fast-paced world, where stress and
anxiety seem to be commonplace, the pursuit of
happiness has become a priority for many indi-
viduals. Positive psychology interventions oer
a beacon of hope, providing evidence-based
techniques for enhancing happiness and overall
well-being. One of the most eective PPIs is
gratitude journaling. This simple practice
involves regularly writing down things one is
grateful for. Research by Emmons and
McCullough (2003) found that individuals who
engaged in gratitude journaling experienced
signicant increases in happiness and life satis-
faction. By focusing on the positive aspects of
life, even during challenging times, individuals
can cultivate a mindset of appreciation and
abundance.
Another powerful intervention is acts of kind-
ness. By performing small acts of kindness for
others, individuals not only spread positivity but
also experience a boost in their own happiness
levels. Lyubomirsky, Sheldon, and Schkade
(2005) conducted a study demonstrating that
engaging in acts of kindness can lead to greater
well-being and a sense of fulllment. Whether
it's helping a neighbor with groceries or oering
words of encouragement to a friend, acts of
kindness create a ripple eect of positivity in
both the giver and the recipient.
These interventions are grounded in scientic
research and oer practical strategies for indi-
viduals to cultivate greater happiness in their
lives. Incorporating gratitude journaling and
acts of kindness into daily routines can lead to
profound shifts in overall well-being and life
satisfaction. As individuals focus on the positive
aspects of their lives and spread kindness to
others, they create a cycle of positivity that ben-
ets themselves and those around them.
Positive psychology interventions provide valu-
able tools for enhancing happiness and promot-
ing a fullling life. By embracing techniques
such as gratitude journaling and acts of kind-
ness, individuals can tap into their innate capaci-
ty for happiness and well-being. As the Dalai
Lama once said, "Happiness is not something
ready-made. It comes from your own actions."
Through intentional practices and small acts of
kindness, individuals can cultivate a deeper
sense of happiness and meaning in their lives,
contributing to a more positive and ourishing
world.
Positive Psychology Interventions:
Techniques for Enhancing Happiness
AMNA.SALEEM@bybrod.com
AMNA SALEEM
In a recent episode of Mind Matters, we were fortunate to host Prof. Dr.
Zafar Jamal, Principal (R), Govt. MAO College, Lahore. Our engaging
discussion centered on narcissism, a topic that resonates with many.
Professor Zafar Jamal provided insight into the fundamental traits of
narcissism, which include an inated sense of self-importance, a
strong desire for admiration, and a lack of empathy towards others. He
elaborated on how these characteristics can manifest in behavior,
often resulting in manipulation, exploitation, and feelings of entitlement. Additionally, he oered valu-
able perspectives on the impact of narcissism on individuals and society at large. Don’t miss out on this
insightful dialogue on the YouTube channel of IAC!
Unveiling Insights on Narcissism with
Professor Zafar Jamal
ZAFARPAGES@ GMAIL.COM
MIND MATTERS
Student’s Testimonial
FATIMANADEEM489@GMAIL.COM
FATIMA NADEEM
Discovering the Well-Being Center at my insti-
tute has been a game-changer for me. As a
student juggling academic pressures and
personal challenges, I often felt overwhelmed
and unsure of where to turn for support. Howev-
er, from the moment I stepped through the
doors of the Well-Being Center, I knew I had
found a safe place. The counselors and sta
welcomed me with open arms, creating a warm
and nurturing environment where I felt heard
and understood. Through their guidance and support, I've learned invaluable coping strategies, culti-
vated self-awareness, and developed a deeper understanding of my well-being. The Center's holistic
approach to mental health has empowered me to prioritize self-care and pursue a more balanced,
fullling life. I am incredibly grateful for the Well-Being Center and the positive impact it has had on my
journey. Thank you for being a beacon of light during my darkest moments.
Since ancient time people have argued about
the possible connection between creativity and
mental illness. The ancient Greeks believed that
creative inspiration was achieved through
altered states of mind such as ‘divine madness’.
Aristotle equated insanity with genius. In 1889,
Cesare Lombroso published a book called “The
Man of Genius” (this book represented one of
the rst attempts to analyze the works of the
mentally ill) in which he argued that genius was
a form of insanity. Today the interest in this area
has increased manifold and there is ongoing
research to establish the link between creativity
and psychopathology. Although, there is plenty
of literature in this area, the ndings remain
inconclusive and the debate continues. There
are certainly many creative people who have
some form of mental illness. But not all creative
people have mental illness. Similarly, majority of
people with mental illness have no creativity at
all. But, let’s see rst what we mean by creativity
and mental illness.
Creativity comes from the Latin word creatus,
literally “to have grown”. Producing or bringing
about something partly or wholly new; invest-
ing an existing object with new properties or
characteristics; in imagining new possibilities
that were not conceived of before; and in seeing
or performing something in a manner dierent
from what was thought possible or normal
previously.
Mental illness or mental disorder are terms used
to refer psychological pattern that occurs in an
individual and is usually associated with distress
or disability that is not expected as part of
normal development. A number of mental
disturbances, such as Depression and Persoznal-
ity Disorders etc. are very common psychologi-
cal problems of the modern era (ICD-11
&DSM-VTR)
Many researchers have attempted to answer the
question, whether creative individuals vulnera-
ble to mental illness? One of the pioneer studies
in this area was conducted by the psychologists
Rushton (1961) and Andreason (1987) found
that creativity is correlated with intelligence and
psychosis. Similarly, Ludwig (1989), in his paper,
Reections on Creativity and Madness,
concludes that although not a prerequisite, a
touch of madness could enhance creativity.
Ludwig (1995) in his book, The Price of Great-
ness: Resolving the Creativity and Madness Con-
troversy examined the lives and achievements
of over 1000 extraordinary men and women and
concluded that creative people suer from more
mental diculties then ordinary people. Eysen-
ck (1995), Wills (2003) and Janka (2004), both
argued that madness and genius are common
traits of creative individuals.
Felix (1994), in his landmark study of 291 worldly
famous people highlighted who suered from
psycho-pathology. Among them, few important
names are given in each category.
Composers: Chopin, Mendelssohn, Schoen-
berg, Wolf, Beethoven and Wagner…….
Scientists: Darwin, Pasteur, Bell, Galton, Newton
and Mendel………
Philosophers: Emerson, Heidegger, Wittgen-
stein, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Marx, and Russell,
Politicians: Churchill, Gladstone, De Gaulle,
Mussolini, Nehru, Stalin, Disraeli, Hitler, Ataturk
and Lincoln…….
Artists: Picasso, Rossetti, Van Gogh, Charlie
Chaplin and Monore….
Writers: Dickens, Hardy, Huxley, Hemmingway,
Kipling, Sartre, Fitzgerald, Tolstoy, and Twain etc.
Furthermore, Ferry and Daniel (2014) have also
highlighted list of creative people, having some
form of psychological disturbances that is also
similar to the list of the Felix as mentioned
above. Accordingly, Whiteside (2013), suggests
that the brains of creative people appear to be
more open to incoming stimuli from the
surrounding environment, whereas other peo-
ple’s brains might shut out this same informa-
tion through a process called “latent inhibition”.
To sum up, Emil Kraeplien, the German psychia-
trist, also emphasized the positive outcome of certain psychological disorders. Finally, American
philosopher William James, wrote: “When a superior intellect and a psychopathic temperament
coalesce, we have the best possible outcome in the form of genius”.
This is not a goodbye, just farewell for now!
Dear Ayesha Pervez,
As we reect on the time we spent together, working
hand in hand on various projects, achieving shared
goals, and being there for one another, it's evident that
we've evolved into more than just colleagues; we have
become a family.
Your presence was a source of strength, positivity, and
inspiration for all of us at the Center for Well Being and
Positive Psychology. While we were sad to bid you
farewell when you left, your impact on us remains
profound.
As you continue on your journey beyond our team,
please know that our support and well wishes will
continue to remain with you.
While nothing in life remains constant, the bond we
formed as a team will always remain the same. You
are deeply missed, Ayesha. Remember that this
family always has your back, and we will continue to
celebrate your achievements as if they were our
own.
On behalf of Center for Well Being and Positive
Psychology we wish you nothing but the best in all
your future endeavors. May success, happiness, and
fulllment accompany you every step of the way.
Counselor of the Month:
NAWAL.BASHIR@bybrod.com
Ms. Nawal's commitment
towards fostering holistic
well-being and personal
growth is truly inspirational.
Whether she's guiding indi-
viduals through challenging
times or imparting invalu-
able soft skills in her lectures, Nawal's passion for
her work shines through in everything she does.
Beyond her role as a counselor, Nawal is the epit-
ome of a supportive colleague and a dynamic
teacher. Always ready to lend a helping hand,
she goes above and beyond to uplift her team
and empower her students. Her empathetic
nature and genuine care for all create a safe
space where people feel heard, understood, and
supported. Nawal's ability to cultivate a sense of
trust and openness has touched the lives of
countless individuals, empowering them to
overcome obstacles and embrace their full
potential.
Nawal, your dedication towards promoting posi-
tivity and resilience within our community does
not go unnoticed. Your impact is profound, and
we are incredibly grateful to have you as a
valued member of our team.
Thank you for being the guiding light, the
supportive colleague, and the inspirational
teacher that we all look up to. Your unwavering
commitment to cultivating well-being in all
aspects of your work is a true testament to your
exceptional character.