<\/p>\n\n\n\n
New research reveals desired character strengths to improve mental health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Ryan M. Niemiec Psy.D.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I asked 9,000 people which character strength they wished for to help with their mental health. In other words, to have better mental well-being. The question was open for any of the thousands of people to personally interpret. Some people were already mentally strong and picked the strength that would help maintain their mental wellness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Others felt overwhelmed in life or had a psychological problem and named a strength to help get them through dark times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The results surprised me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One might expect strengths such as love or kindness because helping others or taking time to care for oneself are ways to feel better. Or, one might expect spirituality as connecting with something greater or transcendent can impact mental health. Or maybe hope \u2013 to have more positivity and optimism, or curiosity to use the mind to explore the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nope. None of those strengths cracked the top five for people\u2019s wishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are the top five strengths, starting with the fifth highest. Participants chose out of 24 universal strengths found across human beings (they could also choose \u201cnone of the above\u201d).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5: Forgiveness<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n People wish they could be more forgiving. This makes perfect sense. The mental burden of holding onto resentment, anger, and hurt feelings can be overwhelming. Science informs us that forgiveness takes time. It is rarely \u201cone and done.\u201d This means we need to be patient with our forgiveness. We need to make it a practice of letting go, over and over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Science-based strategy from my Character Strengths Interventions book:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4: Creativity<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n People want to be more creative. They want to come up with more ideas. Their minds are often obstacles: \u201cWhat will people think of what I created?\u201d \u201cWhat if I fail?\u201d \u201cHow much will I lose?\u201d I like that this strength was nominated so high because it reminds us that there is great value for our mental well-being if we can open ourselves to new ways of doing things, think of new solutions to our problems, and take novel action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Science-based strategy from my Character Strengths Interventions book:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3: Perseverance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n People wish they did not give up so easily. The truth is – it is challenging to be perseverant. When we are trying to reach a goal, life happens: we feel mental fatigue, we feel physical fatigue, we have negative judgments, people trying to stop us, and daily life getting in the way. But, perseverance can overcome those obstacles. It is that inner voice that says, \u201ckeep going\u2026.keep swimming\u2026don\u2019t give up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Science-based strategy from my Character Strengths Interventions book:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2: Bravery<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n People want to be braver. I hear this and see this \u2013 almost constantly, in my work as I interact with people across the globe. It is challenging to be brave enough to move out of one\u2019s comfort zone, challenge the system or the status quo, speak an unpopular opinion, and face your fears. No one said bravery is easy. But we say that it is a pathway to being more authentic and helping your neighbor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Science-based strategy from my Character Strengths Interventions book:<\/p>\n\n\n\n As you consider using your bravery strength, focus on the outcome of the courageous act. For example, think of the person you would be helping or remind yourself of the goodness of the action you\u2019d be taking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As you consider using your bravery strength, focus on the outcome of the courageous act. For example, think of the person you would be helping or remind yourself of the goodness of the action you\u2019d be taking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1: Self-Regulation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The most significant percentage of people said the main character strength they wished they had more of to help with their mental health is self-regulation. People want more self-control. This takes many forms \u2013 to have more control of your feelings, impulses, bad habits, and words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n People want more discipline in their life, but vices, old habits, and problem behaviors are ingrained, amorphous, hidden, confusing, and often victorious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Science-based strategy from my Character Strengths Interventions book:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Originally published at Psychology Today<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" New research reveals desired character strengths to improve mental health. By Ryan M. Niemiec Psy.D. I asked 9,000 people which character strength they wished for to help with their mental health. In other words, to…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7001,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[10],"tags":[88,1697,2348],"class_list":["post-7000","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health","tag-health","tag-people","tag-strength"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"yoast_head":"\n