Positive psychology: kindness and its role within mental health nursing

Abstract

This is the seventh article in a series that explores the meaning of positive psychology and the importance of applying the latest related research findings for the wellbeing of the mental health workforce. It will focus on positive psychology interventions that consider how we can carry out more acts of kindness to others while experiencing their uplifting effect through contemporary use in the field of mental health nursing. It will explain what the terms mean and report on neurological changes when they are practised. Finally, it emphasises the importance of effective leadership in how the application of kindness can benefit the individual, the organisation and the client. The practical tasks provided in the boxes throughout the article will help the reader identify what kindness means for them and understand how to further develop their transferability through evidence–based, user-friendly exercises.