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Psychological Flexibility: How to Find Your True Self in Life?
In today's fast-paced society, many people are facing unprecedented pressure and challenges. As an important mental health indicator, psychological flexibility is gradually receiving attention. In particular, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), as an emerging psychotherapy method, helps people find a way back to themselves when facing the inevitable pain and difficulties in life.
Psychological flexibility is not only about managing emotions, but also about living with those emotions and acting toward the goals you value.
ACT was pioneered by Steven C. Hayes in 1982. The core of this therapy is to learn to accept unpleasant emotions and use it to find a more meaningful life. Accepting emotions does not mean letting them go, but is a positive process designed to help individuals reduce the frequency of struggling with unpleasant inner experiences, accept the emergence and transformation of emotions, and ultimately promote behavioral changes.
Six core principles of psychological flexibility
ACT aims to increase individual psychological flexibility, usually through the following six core principles:
- Cognitive detachment: Learning not to let thoughts, images, and emotions control behavior.
- Acceptance: Allowing unwanted feelings, such as stress, anxiety, etc., to flow through the mind without overreacting.
- Moment contact: Experience the present moment with openness and curiosity.
- Observe yourself: Discover a "me" that is constantly changing even in the face of various emotions.
- Values: Explore the most important things in life.
- Committed Action: Set goals based on self-worth and take responsibility to move toward a meaningful life.
Together, these principles promote the development of psychological flexibility, allowing us to survive changing circumstances without losing ourselves.
Supported by empirical research
As time goes by, empirical research on ACT continues to accumulate. As of 2024, there have been more than 1,100 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to ACT, showing that the therapy has significant effects in treating various mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.
Organizations such as the American Psychological Association (APA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have certified ACT as one of the effective methods of emotional processing. As these studies progress, our understanding of this therapy grows.
The power of acting in the present
In ACT, individuals learn to no longer view emotions as enemies, but as companions on the journey of life. This mindset of acceptance not only keeps us calm in the face of adversity, it also propels us toward the goals we hold dear. For those who are looking for their true self, learning to exist in the moment and accepting inner feelings is the starting point for positivity and change.
Through careful attention and actions in the present, we can take a small step, but it may lead to a new life journey.
Conclusion
Psychological flexibility is not only an individual's ability to face life's challenges, but also each person's journey to pursue their true self deep within. In the face of turbulent emotions, how can we guide ourselves more calmly, accept reality, move closer to our inner values, and ultimately grow and transform?
