The art of living: Occupational Therapy, optimal functioning, positive health and resilience

The complex society we are currently living in can be very demanding and stressful. Citizens have to deal with a global economic crisis, conflicts, poverty and exclusion, environmental disasters, ageing population,... [ view full abstract ]

The complex society we are currently living in can be very demanding and stressful.
Citizens have to deal with a global economic crisis, conflicts, poverty and exclusion, environmental disasters, ageing population, multimorbidity and constantly changing health care systems.
Occupational therapists and their clients (individuals, groups & communities) are living hand in hand in this complicated society, which puts them in demanding situations, but also offering them great chances and challenges.
Occupational therapists should value and focus on these chances and challenges to shape life in a positive way, which should also suit the needs and qualities of themselves and their clients.
With philosophical thoughts and intervention methods used in positive psychology, occupational therapists can strengthen their own and their client’s optimal functioning, positive health and resilience.
The positive art of living has always been a subject of importance within philosophy by giving meaning to life, experiencing joy, making connections with others and exploring opportunities.
Positive psychology, as a fast growing branch within psychology and connected with the humanistic psychology, can support occupational therapists and their clients to empower themselves, to experience wellbeing, positive health and individual & societal balance.
The purpose of this presentation is to give a reflection on what aspects of positive psychology can contribute to our and our client’s art of living by giving examples of intervention methods for education and practice and by discussing which competencies can support self management