Well-being is the state of being healthy, comfortable and happy from inside and outside. Our well-being depends on how we see our life and feel about it.
Several things contribute to our well-being. Food, shelter and health are the basics. Our relationships with family and friends and our feelings that we have value or our lives have a meaning are the less-concrete factors.
Physical Health & Well-Being
Many think that as long as the basic requirements are fulfilled, everything is just fine. But there are some who believe there is a strong connection between our physical health and well-being. And their belief is right. Scientists agree to this fact that we feel what we do and we do what we feel.
Role of Relationships
Relationships play an important role in keeping us happy. A few years ago, a study mentioned in a Gallup Business Journal article showed that couples who have healthy relationships are able to heal or recover from their injuries faster. Small wounds were made on the arms of around 40 couples. It was seen that couples with stressed relationship took more time to heal than those with good relationship.
Along with this study, other research also highlighted that those suffering from critical illness take more time to recuperate if they are going through relationship troubles.
Five Essential Elements for Well-being
Scientists, after studying the idea of well-being stated there are five elements vital to well-being.
- Career well-being – Loving what you do
- Social well-being – Maintaining good relationships and having love in life
- Financial well-being – Being capable of managing finances
- Physical well-being – Keeping good health to face challenges each day
- Community well-being – Being happy with whom we live and where we live
Social Time – Happy Hours
Social time enriches our lives. Studies illustrate that people who are healthy and happy devote six hours of social time every day. Social time is the time we spend with our family and friends and talk over the phone, email, send and receive text messages and interact on social networking sites.
Those who lead a life devoid of social time have higher chances of experiencing bad days.
Social connections are a key to healthier, happier and longer life. A healthy social life improves emotional well-being in old age. With aging, negative thoughts start affecting our minds. Strong support from family and friends helps to drive away from pessimism, loneliness and depression.
So, our well-being is dependent on many things. It is we who need to make healthy choices to stay happy and feel good.
We wrap up our discussion with some helpful tips for well-being.
- Try to make the place better where you live
- Meet people who are different from you
- Try out something new at leisure-time
- View life in a different way
- Explore new places
- Do the type of work you wish to do as a full-time profession
- Dedicate time to your hobbies and interests
- Spend more time in doing what you are good at
Voluntary work offers peace of mind and self-satisfaction. Find out some time for this.