Character and Wellbeing

What is the role that character plays in mental, emotional, social, moral and spiritual well being?

What mitigating influence does strong character have on mental illness?

Mental illness is a thought disorder, a perceptual distortion of reality. Those experiencing mental illness tend to attach a negative bias or perspective or draw erroneous or unfounded conclusions based on inaccurate or inadequate information.

Mental wellbeing includes congruence between actions, beliefs and values.  It is the capacity to maintain a reasonably functional and hopefully accurate perspective on events.  Additionally it is the timely engagement of attributes of character that provide a buffer to the challenges, demands and stressors of circumstance.

Emotional wellbeing includes the capacity to introspect, to acknowledge and accept what one is feeling, to be in tune with our inner selves and to allow those feelings to guide decision making and explore more fully the underlying thoughts generating the affective response.  Empathy and compassion stem from a burgeoning self-awareness and the dawning realization others feel these sensations as well.

Social wellbeing acknowledges the inherent benefits of our social connectedness, our natural desire to interact, build relationships, socialize, support and succor one another.

In the hierarchy of moral character certain attributes offer greater resistance against the buffetings of stress.

When it comes to psychological hardiness or dispositional resilience a few attributes stand out including; open-mindedness, honesty, zest, patience, capacity to love, empathy, commitment, gratitude, hope and humility.

Meeting a challenge involves a rational exercise of bringing to bear particular attributes of character while balancing the emotional burden the situation imposes. Stress inducing situations then offer opportunities to gain skill, new insights and understanding.

If mental health concerns run in your family - here is what you need know

If mental health concerns run in your family- here is what you need to know.

One of the most reliable predictors of mental health issues surfacing during times of stress is family history.  Sensitivity to stress, a predisposition for anxiety or depression is conditions often present in immediate or extended family members.  Knowing this, serves as a reminder, wellbeing and mental health will warrant more attention.

To understand the mechanism by which the central nervous system is affected helps one begin to recognize and adopt the strategies to reduce, delay or even stop the onset of the undesirable symptoms of these conditions.

The brain functions as a biochemical and electrochemical operating system.  A harmonious balance of hormones and neurotransmitters enables the system to operate optimally even under adverse conditions. The critical hormones include cortisol, norepinephrine.  Additionally the neurotransmitters, serotonin, dopamine, GABA, acetylcholine, glutamate and few others such as epinephrine, melatonin CRH, and androgens function in supportive roles as well.   

Neurotransmitters operate in concert with each other, some having an excitatory influence and others an inhibitory effect.   An imbalance in one or more neurotransmitters or hormones generates shifts in mood, pain thresholds and energy levels.  A host of other symptoms can follow each associated with particular deficiencies or excesses of bio-chemicals and transmitters.

A number of factors influence not only the availability of these neurochemicals, but the relative balance as well.  Understanding these factors enables an individual to judiciously incorporate specific strategies and interventions, allaying the onset of troublesome symptoms. Our identity comprises physical, mental, social, emotional, behavioural, moral and spiritual domains each representing a potential resource.  How these domains contribute to wellbeing and the timely implementation of thoughtful practices is vital to stress management, the inevitable precursor to most mental health disorders.

It begins with mindful self-awareness, an essential aspect of emotional intelligence.  Feelings can be likened to a window which provides a view into each and every domain of our identity. Awareness of and a sensitivity to what we are experiencing in particular moments of time permits us to discern our thoughts, feelings and perceptions, thus increasing the likelihood of an appropriate and timely response.

It is in the mental domain, where thoughts are processed and either incorporated or rejected.  Recognizing and correcting distortions in thinking, or identifying patterns of thought that may not be serving us well, allow us to sidestep the fallout of negative, unrealistic, simplistic thought processes.  Re-scripting less functional thoughts to reflect a more positive, accurate and realistic, or more kind way of interpreting situations shuts off the adrenal cortex and the deleterious effects of too much cortisol.

In the physical domain there is much that can be done. Exercise releases feel good endorphins, balanced nutrition provides needed nutrients and amino acids for reconstructing neurotransmitters, adequate sleep rejuvenates the body, meditation and deep breathing induce a calming effect upon the central nervous system and contribute to a sense of wellbeing.

The moral domain speaks to attributes of character.  Respect, empathy, tolerance, love, long suffering, patience are signature strengths, when acquired will determine how well one navigates the challenges, the adversities and trials inevitably encountered.

Socially it is nurturing close relations, recognizing the powerful supportive blessing of a good friend, family member, counsellor, minister, confidant, mentor. Giving voice to thoughts and feelings is therapeutic in and of itself, plus the additional benefit derived from good counsel and a compassionate listening ear.

Spiritually through the exercise of faith and achieved through study, pondering, prayer and attunement to spiritual impressions one is able to let go of emotional burdens and find a measure of hope, peace and comfort when burdens are left at the altar of a greater power.

Wellbeing defined

Defining wellbeing

While academic debate continues about precisely how ‘wellbeing’ should be defined, all of the elements cited below play a role in ensuring that people feel their lives are going well, although their importance may vary as circumstances change.

Wellbeing is most usefully thought of as ‘the dynamic process that gives people a sense of how their lives are going, through the interaction between their circumstances, activities and the mental, moral, physical and spiritual resources at their disposal.

Because of this dynamic nature, high levels of well-being mean that we are more able to respond to difficult circumstances, to innovate and constructively engage with other people and the world around us. As well as representing a highly effective way of bringing about good outcomes in many different areas of our lives, there is also a strong case for regarding well-being as an ultimate goal of human endeavour.

Wellbeing encompasses a number of key aspects of being. Each aspect or domain of wellbeing interacts with other domains in a synergistic relationship.  Each one contributes essential or helpful elements to the overall functioning of the whole.  Stressors, demands, needs and circumstances dictate which one or more of the elements are needed.

Achieving well-being has been the concern of prophets, philosophers, poets and theologians for generations, and is, in many respects the essence of human existence. In recent years, well-being has expanded beyond the realm of religion and philosophy to that of psychology, biochemistry and neuroscience. There has been a growing body of research into what contributes to the quality of the experiences in a person’s life. Exploring the science of wellbeing or as one researcher calls authentic happiness has provided insights into and acknowledgment of the multiple dimensions of wellbeing.

Wellbeing involves each of the following:

§  a feeling state involving an array of neurotransmitters, bio chemicals and hormones, a balanced mix being necessary for homeostasis and wellbeing to be achieved

§  a doing  state suggesting active involvement in  rewarding meaningful activities is also essential

§  a moral state of being where beliefs and attributes of character represent key inner resources to help cope when the exigencies of life i.e. integrity, patience, generosity, respect, commitment etc.

§  a social state where social beings acknowledge that social connectedness and developing social relations is essential to happiness

§  a spiritual state where basic questions of life are answered; many derive considerable hope and peace from spiritual beliefs, powers and resources

§  wellbeing is a cognitive process where thoughts, attitudes and perceptions are the seedbed of feelings and behaviour

§  a physical state where attending the needs of our physical body, through rest, exercise  and adequate nutrition

The Art of Wellbeing

Much of the focus of psychology has for 60 years centred around mental illness or abnormal psychology.  Articles were 100 to 1. Given the costs associated with stress related rehabilitation it is understandable why so much focus is on diagnosing and treating mental health conditions.  At the same time we need to recalibrate our bearings.  The inordinate focus on what's wrong takes us away from the research  of those elements which make one right.  A shift is needed!

More recently researchers in the field of Positive Psychology attempt to identify those elements of which when understood and applied change lives for the better.   Martin E. P. Seligman  who spearheaded research in this area  authored a seminal work Authentic Happiness and carried on the previous contributions of Steven Covey  7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Victor Frankl,  Man's Search for Meaning, James Allen,  As a Man Thinketh.  Other more recent contributors include Danial Coleman, Emotional Intelligence  and Ellen Langer, Counterclockwise.

Good therapists not only shift  patterns of distorted thinking, but more recently direct individuals to harness latent strengths, build mindful capacity and  strengthen dispositional resilience.

A look at characteristics common to those who have acquired the art of wellbeing include;

• Optimism   Optimistic people tend to interpret their troubles as transient, controllable, and specific to one situation. Pessimistic people believe that their troubles last forever, undermine everything they do, and are uncontrollable.  Optimism is one of two dozen strengths that bring about greater wellbeing. (pg.10 of Authentic Happiness) 
• The key to disputing pessimistic thoughts is to first recognize them and then to treat them as if they were uttered by an external person, a rival whose mission in life was to make you miserable.
• Courage  First acknowledge fears, then confront them. Be willing to take a risk, to step out of your comfort zone, and embrace the challenge. Those who do suffer less post traumatic stress.(Suzanne C. Kobassa) Dispositional Relilience
• Think good thoughts  In 27 studies depressed people had an equal ratio of bad thoughts to those who were not depressed.  However, non depressed people had roughly twice as many good thoughts as bad ones. This simple point is powerful.  This is supported by the results of therapy.  Depressed patients who improve the ratio from 1.1 to 2.1 improve, those who stay at 1.1 do not.(pg. 226 of Authentic Happiness)
• Focus on  Signature strengths! These are the relative strengths you have which need to be optimized. To quote Martin Seligman; "I believe the time has come to resurrect character as a central concept to the scientific study of human behaviour." When one does this Martin Seligman calls this living your calling.  Take the online test and see where and how your attributes can contribute to your own happiness and wellbeing.
• Six core virtues when practiced bring a sense of wellbeing and security.
• Wisdom and knowledge
• Courage
• Love and humanity
• Justice
• Temperance
• Spirituality

Multiple Dimensions of Mental Health

You are complex being.  There are many elements that contribute to your identity and well being. Understanding how these different elements interact and support one another is essential to sustain a sense that one is able to manage the stressors and demands of day to day living. As spokes in a wheel provide support and stabilize the rim, they also serve to help maintain a well rounded structure to navigate the obstacles along the path. Every aspect of our being requires some attention in order to maintain balance and equilibrium across all domains

Mental

You are a mental being, constantly taking information in through your five senses, analyzing, synthesizing, interpreting, problem solving, processing and evaluating and storing or rejecting data.  This domain is made of two parts, the conscious and subconscious. The conscious part constitutes the domain over which you have a relatively large degree of control.It is also the primary medium by which stress is interpreted and managed. 

The subconscious represents  and occupies a substantial portion of your brain . It is the repository of all your beliefs, values, memories and the realm of you autonomic nervous system, governing many of the unconscious bodily functions.  Together they generate and are the reservoir from which habits, attitudes, cultural moors and patterns of thinking evolve.  Indeed the lens by which you perceive the world is progressively formed, develops and finds expression by the knowledge and interpretations of the external world which are made along the way.

Feelings

You are a feeling being.  Often referred to as the affective domain it is the primary driving force behind all behaviour. Feelings  inspire and enrich experience, but also are the source of our discontent, stress, anxiety and depression.  We have little direct control over this domain, as it is a function of our biochemistry.  Neurotransmitters, hormones and biochemicals generate the varied physiological responses.  Under normal conditions they work in our favour generating a host of positive feelings providing a sense of well being,  However when our thoughts are clouded by 

distortions and erroneous beliefs then it begins to play havoc with the otherwise harmonious balance of  biochemicals.  The net effect is an unsettled state of being and when left unattended it becomes chronic with increasingly detrimental effects upon the health and well being.

Social

You are a social being. Weather an introvert or an extrovert we still operate in a social domain, Relationships represent a significant influence upon our psyche.  Functional relationships are developed and maintained in direct correlation with their attending skills. Relationships can be both a source of stress and a wonderful resource for coping with stress.  Social aptitudes of attentiveness, assertiveness, compromise and communication are key skills.   Harmonious relations contribute much to a sense of contentment.

Physical

You are a physical being. Age, health, conditioning, energy levels each factor into functional capacity to meet the rigours of day to day responsibilities and challenges. Knowing the capabilities and limitations of our physical bodies and how to care for and maintain our physical well being represent a good starting point for self awareness.

Moral

You are a moral being. Attributes of character and temperament combine to give you your unique personality traits.  In addition attributes both enable and ennoble, allowing us to meet increasingly challenging demands. Self reliance, resilience, self esteem and confidence wax stronger with each attribute added to the mix.

Spiritual 

You are a spiritual being. There is a resource available to all, once understood, appreciated and tapped into offers a means to allude or at least a reprieve from the exigencies of life.  Many have found  contentment, peace, hope and solace in the unseen power of faith.

Behavioural 

You are a behavioural being. You act and are acted upon. It is our behaviour and emotions we present to the outside world. When behaviour aligns with beliefs and values there is an internal state of congruence. A harmonious synchrony occurs and stressors tend to decline and internal conflicts abate.