Hey all:)
While some would define well-being as the simple absence of physical illness and disease, others describe it as the state of being comfortable, happy and healthy; even prosperous! Well-being is a harmonious blend between mental, emotional, social and physical health. To be comfortable and happy has been described by some as a science, but in general is a much more subjective state; however, there are more than a few dimensions that most can agree will likely lead to higher well-being. According to my own research, these qualities can be described as the following:
Giving
To give is a lesson of empathy, one of the very important qualities in developing and maintaining happiness in a lifetime. The act of giving notes the ability of oneself to recognize the needs of others as well as the plentifulness in ones own life, lessoning the materialistic side of humanity and encouraging simplistic and realistic needs for similar or heightened quality of life.
How to do this:
- Find a shelter to volunteer with
- Give your time to a friend or a peer in need
- Donate to a food pantry or a clothing drive
- Ask around your community to find out what you can do to make a meaningful difference
Acceptance
To understand one’s position in life and accept it as the current reality as it were is very important to quality of life and well-being. To be unhappy with one’s current situation but consistently reject it is to deny oneself the ability to improve. By accepting life as it comes and actively working to improve it is where I believe well-being and happiness must begin for many people struggling within unhappy lives. This becomes a lesson of resilience, to overcome despite the odds.
How to do this:
- Understand that you are where you are for a reason
- Take steps to make improvements in your life by reaching out to an organization
- Meet with a therapist
- Start a conversation with friends or family about your situation
Relationships
Relationships are the meaning of life. This is what we are here for; to create and maintain meaningful bonds with the people around us. This relationship dimension also highlights the importance of a sense of community, or a support system that surrounds you and that you support and in return feel supported by. This community could be defined as a group of close friends, a school, a town, or even a government. To feel unwelcome within a government body could be detrimental to one’s well-being, imagine being rejected by the very structure that is meant to support the majority. Dictated by this, the most important aspect of relationships is a sense of belonging. We must feel welcome, respected and like we bring something to the table in terms of the group.
How to do this:
- Join a club or an organization
- Find a spiritual community that aligns with your beliefs
Health
Mental, emotional and physical health are very important aspects of well-being. Without one or another, your state of being cannot blend harmoniously. We must feel comfortable in our bodies and this comes with some work. Health is not a given for many people, we must actively combat those temptations that will compromise our health and work to improve ourselves wherever we can. Health and well-being can be seen as something to achieve and achievement comes with practice and work.
How to do this:
- Speak to a therapist or with friends about stressors in your life
- Go to the gym and work out your body
- Try to make the healthier choice when planning meals
- Ensure yourself downtime with friends and family who make you happy
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the practice of “doing” life consciously. Thinking through actions and decisions, no matter how big or small and appreciating life in every way. Being mindful is how we ensure that we are participating in the here and now. This helps us to remain present in our work, present in our relationships and present with ourselves; checking in to ensure that we are making the best decisions regarding our life goals and ambitions through day to day decisions and actions. Mindfulness is a way to remain in happy and comfortable control of ourselves.
How to do this:
- Appreciate your food as you eat it, freeing yourself from distractions and appreciating every bite
- Walking with a purpose and feeling yourself every step of the way, the wind on your skin and the ground beneath your feet
- Speaking mindfully, remaining conscious and fully involved with your words and listening to others
Ambition
Having goals and ambitions is another key to a happy life and a heightened sense of well-being, but this comes with acceptance as well. We cannot angrily strive for better, cussing ourselves for our current situations. On the contrary, we must accept where we are now, and happily look forward to an improved tomorrow. However, it is important to have things to look forward to in life and in order to do this we must achieve and have the drive to achieve. The sense of achievement and accomplishment is one of the many natural rewards we can work to give ourselves.
How to do this:
- Set weekly, monthly or even yearly goals for yourself
- Be realistic in setting your goals, you want to be able to achieve them
- Work for it!
Security
Realistically, we cannot achieve a high sense of well-being if we are not safe. Ensuring that you are financially and personally secure is a very important and often forgotten aspect of happiness. It seems primal, but many of us don’t have the privilege of feeling safe. There is no way to flourish without the space to do so, and we must all work to ensure that not only do we feel secure but so do the people around us.
When I was in high school I went through a very hippie phase. In this phase, all I wanted to do was meditate and do my yoga under the moon. I couldn’t imagine myself going to college and finding a trivial job to provide for myself. It didn’t feel right that I would have to compromise happiness for my place in the world financially. One night I was at a full moon gong session and my mediation and kundalini yoga instructor taught me an important lesson. This is the world we live in, and if we want to succeed, we must actively participate in society. This for me meant going to college and being successful. My point of this story is that in this way, I would be able to help others and maintain positive relationships with my friends and my community because I would feel this sense of security.
How to do this:
- Stay active within the education realm, remain relevant and always strive to learn
- Find a job that you love
- Make it a priority to orient yourself in a safe space
Overall, it is important to recognize that, similar to the definition of well-being, these dimensions all relate and must work harmoniously for well-being to flourish. Many, if not all of these dimensions relate to each other, and one cannot occur without the other. This is why we must work for ourselves and for those around us in order to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to achieve their personal and optimal state of well-being.
Lets get well,
xoxo Lana