Psychological flexibility
Psychological flexibility refers to an individual’s ability to cope with, accept, and adjust to difficult situations, think with openness, and work to advance one’s life in personally meaningful ways. The basis of psychological flexibility is the understanding that the things we find most challenging are often the things most important to us.
"What psychological flexibility boils down to is staying in the present moment and being open to experiencing whatever thoughts or feelings may arise, and then take action that is aligned with our values,” explains Rachel Goldman, PhD, FTOS, a psychologist and clinical assistant professor at the NYU School of Medicine. In day-to-day life, psychological flexibility allows people to adjust their behaviors and routines to respond effectively to the demands of the situation in ways that serve an individual's goals and adhere to their core beliefs.
Some examples of ways people can display flexibility in real-world situations include:
Accepting difficult emotions: A person who struggles with anxiety might display psychological flexibility by learning to accept their anxious thoughts and feelings of distress without judgment. Doing this allows them to react in anxiety-provoking situations with greater calmness and resilience.
Dealing with setbacks: a person dealing with a significant setback, such as a job loss, can display flexibility by staying positive and taking steps to find another position. Flexibility allows them to face challenges and manage stress more effectively.
Managing intense emotions: Strong emotions can sometimes feel overpowering. Psychological flexibility can help people acknowledge and accept such feelings without getting overwhelmed.
Finding fulfillment: developing psychological flexibility is essential for making meaning and finding a sense of purpose in life. It allows people to respond to the full range of their feelings in open ways and align their behaviors with what matters most in terms of their core values.
Tindle, R., Moustafa, A. A. (2021). Psychological distress, social support, and psychological flexibility during COVID-19. Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders. Retrieved from: https://surl.li/ujcexi -
Cherry, K. (2023,June 16,). Psychological Flexibility. What It Means and Why It's Important. Verywell Mind. Retrieved from: https://surl.li/hxmbzg