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