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
