Positive psychological strategies in the service of health promotion: introducing the Balance Program

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: With the rise of positive psychology, attitudes towards health have also changed perspective: views on mental health and quality of life have been significantly rearranged. The general aspiration of the approach was the expectation that psychological well-being, happiness and healthy personality functioning should be given as much emphasis as possible. At the same time, the development of mental health is inseparable from the space of lifestyle and physical activity. This is why the Balance Program focuses on these three components of health. METHODS: In the Balance Program, we used measuring instruments for measuring mental health and health behaviors, which proved to be suitable for determining individual development directions. Based on the Mental Health Test, the Mental Health Continuum Scale, the Values ​​In Action Questionnaire and the Health-Related Attitudes Questionnaire, various indicators of mental health were assessed in order for the Program's psychologist, dietician and personal trainer to provide optimal, individualised development to the participants. RESULTS: In its current form, the Balance Program does not focus on collecting data for statistical purposes but on supporting personal development. The Program works in a positive psychological approach and with methods and tools applied in positive psychology, which the participants evaluated as attention-grabbing, novel and easy to learn in their subjective reports. And the positive changes became the forerunners of the need for individual development and motivation. CONCLUSIONS: The practical experience of the Balance Program shows a significant demand for workplace health promotion initiatives, which, with proper implementation, also anticipates a positive change in the health behaviour of the participating persons.