Well Being and Being Well

Well being is so much more than good physical health. It is a state of physical, mental, emotional and social well being. Improving well being is based on behavioural science and includes skills that can be learned. The elements of well being encompass many emotions ranging from gratitude and mindfulness to passion and grit. Witnessing the acts of kindness makes us feel inspired and elevated. This is why people react so positively to stories of Mother Theresa. Practising the Buddhist meditation of loving kindness and metta bhavana which is about enjoying the pleasure of other living creatures, does increase happiness. Passion for what we do is a good thing. It enables us to be more committed and persistent, more hopeful and optimistic. If however, this same passion becomes obsessive it can be harmful. So passion needs to be calibrated to be more flexible and healthy. Psychological well being may reduce the risk of chronic physical illness and promote a long life. Life satisfaction improved around age 50. Worry declined after this age. The frequency of negative feelings reduced in middle age. In spite of declining health and income, during this time, psychological well being seemed to increase! One needs to focus on ensuring health and economic adequacy during this period. Eudemonic well being, focuses on the meaning and purpose of life. A sense of purpose and the ability to move towards goals, can greatly improve life satisfaction at any stage in life. Taking up a meaningful goal at any age, can improve well being. Being paid, is not as meaningful as contributing meaningfully. Steps to well being • Exercise, also relax • Eat high quality food • Play and enjoy frivolously • Take in the sunshine • Get rid of negative emotions • Promote positive emotions • Sleep well • Learn new things • Be creative