Distress tolerance skills from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) help you survive positive psychology crisis without making things worse.
TIPP Skills for Acute Positive Psychology
Temperature: Cold water on face activates the dive reflex, rapidly reducing positive psychology intensity
Intense exercise: 20 minutes of vigorous exercise discharges positive psychology physiological activation
Paced breathing: Slow the breath (especially exhale) to activate parasympathetic system
Progressive muscle relaxation: Systematic tension-release reduces positive psychology physical symptoms
ACCEPTS Skills for Riding Out Positive Psychology
Activities that engage attention away from positive psychology Contributing to others shifts focus from positive psychology Comparisons that provide perspective on positive psychology Emotions opposite to positive psychology — deliberately generated Pushing away positive psychology temporarily when you can't act on it now Thoughts that replace positive psychology rumination Sensations that provide strong alternative input
When Distress Tolerance Is the Right Skill for Positive Psychology
Use distress tolerance when positive psychology is intense but the situation can't change right now. The goal is surviving without making things worse — not solving positive psychology.