Recent research reveals a striking discrepancy in the field of positive psychology: while experts often recommend structured activities like gratitude journaling to clients, they rarely practice these rigid schedules themselves. Instead of following a to-do list for mental health, experts rely on a flexible, integrated approach termed the “meliotropic wellbeing mindset.”
The Meliotropic Wellbeing Mindset
Derived from the Latin melior (better) and Greek tropism (movement towards), this mindset is defined by an intuitive movement toward what makes life worth living. Rather than treating wellbeing as a set of tasks to complete, experts view it as a natural part of everyday life. Crucially, this mindset involves accepting that life includes difficulty; experts do not actively “chase” happiness or force positivity during bad days, but rather accept them as they come.
Key Differences in Expert Practice
- Identity over Intervention: Experts engage in activities like reading, volunteering, or yoga because these actions align with their identity and provide meaning, not because they are prescribed interventions.
- Protective Boundaries: Practitioners are highly attuned to their physical and social environments. They prioritize sleep and nutrition and are proactive about limiting contact with draining individuals or leaving unhappy work environments.
- Strategic Application: Specific tools (like gratitude exercises) are utilized only during difficult periods when a specific boost is needed, rather than as a daily compliance routine.
Rethinking Wellbeing Programs
The study suggests that the modest success rates of many corporate and school wellbeing programs may result from their focus on “tasks” rather than mindset. The core takeaway is that sustainable wellbeing does not require constant self-improvement work or the pursuit of happiness. Instead, it requires cultivating a mindset that gently orients you toward meaningful experiences and allows for a flexible response to life’s ups and downs.
Mentoring question
Are your current self-care practices items on a to-do list that add pressure, or are they natural extensions of your identity that bring you genuine meaning?