What is well-being? and how to improve your wellness? Here is my summary about well-being and how to improve your overall wellness.
What is well-being?
well-being is a state of being happy, healthy, and prosperous.
well-being is often used interchangeably with happiness or life satisfaction.
well-being is more than just feeling happy – it also includes feeling good about yourself and your life, having positive relationships, and enjoying good physical health.
It’s about feeling good mentally, emotionally, and physically. When you’re in a state of well-being, you have a sense of balance and well-being in your life.
Well-Being Concepts/ Theories
There are many different well-being theories out there.
Some well-known theories include Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Aristotle’s Virtue Theory, and the PERMA Model.
- Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a well-known theory that suggests that humans have certain needs that must be met to achieve well-being. These needs include things like food and shelter, safety, love and belonging, self-esteem, and self-actualization.
- Aristotle’s Virtue Theory suggests that well-being is achieved by living a life of virtue. Virtue is defined as a character trait that helps us achieve good results in our lives. Some examples of virtues include things like courage, wisdom, and justice.
- The PERMA Model is a well-being theory that suggests there are five key elements to well-being: Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment.
Here’s a video that explains Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs:
Factors that influence wellbeing?
There are many different factors that can influence our well-being.
Some of these factors are:
Genes
Our genes influence how well we cope with stress and how resilient we are to change.
Environment
Our environment can also impact our well-being. We are more likely to flourish if we live in a safe and supportive environment.
Social Connections
Our social connections are also important for well-being. Having strong social support systems can help us cope with stress and adversity.
Lifestyle choices
Our lifestyle choices can also impact our well-being. Choosing healthy behaviors like eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly can improve our well-being.
The 8 Areas of Well-being
1. Physical well-being is about taking care of your body and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It includes eating healthy, exercising, and getting enough sleep.
2. Mental well-being is about taking care of your mental health. It includes managing stress, staying positive, and getting help when you need it.
3. Emotional well-being: This is about being in touch with your feelings and managing them in a healthy way. It includes managing stress, staying positive, and expressing your feelings healthily.
4. Social well-being: This is about having strong and supportive relationships having meaningful relationships with others.. It includes spending time with family and friends, being involved in your community, and networking.
5. Spiritual well-being is about having a sense of purpose and meaning in your life. It includes being connected to something bigger than yourself, having a positive outlook on life, and valuing your own beliefs and values.
6. Financial well-being: This is about managing your finances in a way that meets your needs and helps you achieve your financial goals. It includes budgeting, saving, and investing.
7. Environmental well-being: This is about taking care of the environment. It includes reducing your carbon footprint, recycling, and composting.
8. Occupational well-being is about having a job that meets your needs and helps you achieve your goals. It includes finding a job that you enjoy, having a work/life balance, and being compensated fairly.
What are some barriers to well-being?
There are many different barriers to well-being.
3 barriers to having well-being are:
Stress
Stress is a major barrier to well-being. When we’re stressed, we’re more likely to experience negative emotions like anxiety and depression.
Anxiety & depression
Anxiety and depression are also major barriers to well-being. They can make it difficult to focus on the positive aspects of our lives and can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms like Substance abuse
Addiction
When we’re addicted to something, we’re more likely to engage in risky behaviors that can negatively affect our health and well-being.
How is well-being measured?
There are many different ways to measure well-being.
3 well-being measures:
- Self-reported well-being is when people rate their own well-being on a scale.
- Objective well-being is when well-being is measured by factors like health and income.
- World Happiness Report is a well-being measure that ranks countries by their happiness levels.
Ways we can improve our well-being
Gratitude
Associations between Gratitude and Well-Being
A grateful outlook is a key contributor to well-being. Gratitude leads to greater happiness, stronger relationships, and improved physical health.
People who are more grateful tend to have more fulfilling social lives and feel more connected to others.
Gratitude also leads to increased self-esteem, optimism, and motivation. well-being is the state of being comfortable, healthy, and happy.
Gratitude is associated with greater well-being in several ways. For example, gratitude has been found to lead to:
- increased happiness,
- stronger relationships,
- improved physical health,
- increased self-esteem,
- optimism, and
- motivation.
Gratitude is a key contributor to well-being because it helps us to focus on the positive aspects of our lives. When we are grateful, we are more likely to see the good in others and ourselves. Gratitude also leads us to appreciate the present moment and savor our positive experiences.
Well-being improves when we take time to focus on the things that we are grateful for.
Mental
We feel more balanced and well-rounded when we care for our mental health.
This can be achieved by setting realistic goals, practicing meditation or mindfulness, and spending time with loved ones.
Emotional
This can be done by expressing yourself through art, journaling, or talking to a therapist.
Social
Connecting with others is also important for well-being. When we have strong social connections, we feel supported and loved.
This includes spending time with friends and family, volunteering, or networking.
Spiritual
This can be done through nature, religion, or simply practicing mindfulness.
physically
Being physically active is also a great way to improve well-being. Exercise releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects.
Resources for Well-being & wellness
There are many different well-being resources available. Some well-being resources include things like
Books
Books about well-being can provide us with valuable information about how to improve our well-being.
The Gratitude Journal by Ukrainian Printworks
Do Good At Work: How Simple Acts of Social Purpose Drive Success and Wellbeing by Bea Boccalandro
Articles
Articles about well-being can also be a great resource. They can offer us new perspectives on well-being and can provide us with tips and tricks for improving our well-being.
How to be healthy – A guide for busy women
Websites
Websites about well-being can be a great resource. They can offer us access to well-being information and support groups.
Support groups
Support groups can also be a great well-being resource. They can provide us with emotional support and guidance from others who are struggling with similar issues.
Well-being quotes
We can use many different well-being quotes to inspire and motivate us.
Some well-being quotes include:
“The greatest wealth is health.” -Virgil
“Happiness is the greatest medicine.” – Lucius Annaeus Seneca
” well-being is not a goal… it’s a way of living.” – Pema Chodron”
“well-being isn’t about being happy all the time. It’s about having a balance of positive and negative emotions.” – Barbara Fredrickson
“well-being is about living your life with intention.” – Oprah Winfrey”
“well-being is a state of mind, not a state of the world.” – Wayne Dyer”
well-being is an inside job.” – William James
” well-being comes from within. It’s not what you have, it’s how you feel.” – Abraham Lincoln
” well-being is not a destination. It’s a journey. It’s the sum total of our choices.” – Tony Robbins
” well-being is not a luxury. It’s a necessity.” – Arianna Huffington”
well-being is not something you pursue. It’s something you create.” – Deepak Chopra
” well-being is not a matter of chance, it’s a matter of choice.” – Denis Waitley
” well-being is not about getting what you want. It’s about wanting what you’ve got.” – Sheryl Crow
“well-being is a journey, not a destination.” – Unknown”
“well-being comes from within. It’s not what you have, it’s how you feel.” – Abraham Lincoln
A final word for improving your well-being
So take a moment today to think about what you are grateful for. You might be surprised at how much your well-being improves as a result! well-being is important because it helps us to feel good about ourselves and our lives.
When we have a sense of well-being, we are more likely to be successful in achieving our goals and having a fulfilled life.