Wellbeing: more than feeling good
We often measure wellbeing as happiness or satisfaction with life. The search for happiness is often confused with the pursuit of pleasure, but wellbeing is about more than living ‘the good life’; it is about having meaning in life, being able to relate well with others, about fulfilling our potential and feeling that our lives are worthwhile.
Our personal or subjective wellbeing is shaped by our personal circumstances and choices, the social conditions we live in, and the complex ways in which all these things interact. We are shaped by the environment in which we live, our upbringing and our personal experiences.
Optimism, trust, self-respect and autonomy make us happier. Gratitude and kindness lift our spirits; indeed, giving support can be at least as beneficial as receiving it. Having clear goals that we can work towards, a ‘sense of place’ and belonging, a coherent and positive view of the world, and the belief that we are part of something bigger than ourselves foster wellbeing.
Wellbeing is powerfully influenced by perceptions and expectations. Adaptation and social comparison are especially important. How well we tend to adapt to changes in our life is associated with how secure we feel within which relates to physical health, including longevity. Socially isolated people are two to five times more likely to die in a given year than those with strong ties to family, friends and community. Wellbeing itself has a central role in these associations, improving health through direct effects on our physiology, including our immune system, and by influencing diet, exercise, smoking, drinking and other lifestyle behavior. The good news is that we can learn how to be happy by changing behaviors that don’t serve us, by becoming aware of repeated unwanted patterns of thought and by consciously making good practices and choices a priority |
