Psychological flexibility is a skill that allows us to adapt and respond effectively to situations we encounter. To be flexible, it is necessary to be aware of what is happening and identify an effective response.
Indeed, the key components of psychological flexibility are:
1. The ability to be present to what is happening outside and inside us in the “here and now”: it is a mental state known as mindfulness, which allows us to be completely focused and involved in what we are doing, open without judgment to stimuli from the surrounding environment, reducing the influence and negative effects (distraction, suffering, moving away from the goal) of painful thoughts and feelings.
2. The ability to take effective actions, that is, an action that is:
- Conscious and intentional, rather than impulsive and unconscious
- Motivated, guided, and inspired by your core values
- Adaptable to the needs of the situation
More simply, psychological flexibility is the ability to be present, open, and do what matters.
As you increase your psychological flexibility, you will be better able to effectively manage difficult feelings, stop thought processes that are not helpful to you, and modify ineffective or counterproductive behaviors in order to build better relationships.
Scientific research shows that the higher our level of psychological flexibility, the better our quality of life and level of well-being in the workplace.
