From the Guidelines
Well-being is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, as defined by the World Health Organization 1. This definition encompasses various aspects of life, including physical health, mental health, emotional health, and social health.
- Physical health is achieved through proper nutrition, regular exercise, and adequate sleep.
- Mental health is maintained through stress management and positive thinking.
- Emotional health involves understanding and expressing feelings appropriately.
- Social health is built through meaningful relationships and community connections. Additionally, well-being includes financial stability, work-life balance, and a sense of meaning or purpose, as highlighted in the context of cardiovascular health and psychological well-being 1. It is essential to recognize that well-being is highly individual, with different aspects holding varying importance for each person, and achieving it requires ongoing attention to these different dimensions, making choices that support health and happiness, and developing resilience to cope with life's challenges. The most recent and highest quality study emphasizes that well-being is a continuous journey of self-care and personal growth, rather than a fixed destination 1. Key factors that contribute to well-being include a sense of purpose and satisfaction, feeling good and functioning effectively, and making choices that support overall health and happiness. Overall, prioritizing well-being is crucial for maintaining a healthy and fulfilling life, and it is essential to consider the various aspects that contribute to it, as supported by the latest research in the field 1.
From the Research
Definition of Well-being
- Well-being can be defined in terms of an individual's physical, mental, social, and environmental status, with each aspect interacting with the other and having differing levels of importance and impact according to each individual 2.
- It is a multifaceted construct that is used across disciplines to portray a state of wellness, health, and happiness, with aspects of well-being seeming universal, but with substantial variation in how it is depicted in the literature 3.
- Psychological aspects of well-being are increasingly recognized and studied as fundamental components of healthy human functioning, with emotional well-being being a key component 4.
Components of Well-being
- Physical well-being: related to an individual's physical health and functioning 2, 5.
- Mental well-being: related to an individual's mental health and emotional state 2, 4.
- Social well-being: related to an individual's social relationships and connections 2.
- Environmental well-being: related to an individual's interaction with their environment and the impact of the environment on their well-being 2.
Measurement of Well-being
- Well-being has been measured in research using various scales, which may not capture the complexity of the concept 2.
- There is a lack of consistent definitions of well-being and standardized measurements, with many studies not defining well-being or linking their conceptual definition to the operational assessment tool being used 3.
- The World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health provides a framework for measuring functioning, which is an essential aspect of well-being 5.
Concept of Well-becoming
- Well-becoming can be thought of as our multitude of life-journeys toward meaning and purposefulness, and is a process of growth through life 6.
- It acknowledges the influence that socioeconomic and other conditions in a particular life-course stage have on subsequent life-course stages, and the cost-effectiveness of intervening across the life-course 6.