Well-being What defines it and how do we achieve it…..
It is estimated that up to one third of GP consultations are regarding mental health. This will include anything from anxiety and depression, to major psychiatric illness, to loss of wellbeing. Well-being is a difficult state to define, and will mean different things to different people. For some it is contentment, others personal fulfilment, good health and happiness. If you asked 10 different people to describe what a sense of well-being felt like to them, you would almost certainly get 10 different answers. Maybe a more abstract definition is most accurate, where well-being centres on a state of equilibrium or balance that can be affected by life events or challenges.
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 our lives, there is also a strong case for regarding well-being as an ultimate goal of human endeavour.
Much research has been conducted on the subject on both a national and international level - common themes are often identified with the following being considered the most important.
Connect: Engage with the people around you, family, friends, colleagues or neighbours. Research has shown the importance of social support and relationships to an individuals mental health and happiness. Having 3 people with whom you are close may be enough to protect you from a psychological disorder, with the best relationships being ones with people who are supportive and encouraging. Having life goals associated with commitment to social relationships seems particularly helpful as well. If your primary goals in life are to succeed at work, you’ll be fated to a life with lower levels of wellbeing than people who value relationships most.
Be active: we know there are many benefits to an active lifestyle, not least of which includes fewer chronic health problems. In terms of mental health, high levels of physical activity have a range of positive effects. Researchers believe that physical activity can protect against some of the ills that befall us in later life such as dementia, but can also stave off feelings of depression and anxiety to individuals of any age. In general the longer and more intense the physical activity, the better it is for health, but even an exercise session of just 10 minutes can have an impact on mental well being.
Keep learning : new skills can give a sense of achievement and a new confidence. Undertaking adult education courses puts you in situations with others who you would not otherwise have met, but have similar interests. Through learning, people also start to engage in goal-setting which, in turn can promote feelings of well-being. When you choose your own goals that you feel are consistent with your values, you’ll be more likely to feel engaged in your life even outside the sphere of the particular skill you’re learning
Give to others: Going beyond your own personal desires or self-interests is one of the best ways to enhance your feelings of wellbeing. It does feel good to obtain reinforcement in the form of personal rewards, but your overall well-being is more enhanced when you do something for someone else. Even the smallest act can count whether it is a smile, a thank you or a kind word. Larger gestures such as volunteering for community events can improve your well being and help build new social net works. Research even shows that being a volunteer can help to reduce mortality among older adults.
Be curious: Being engaged with your surroundings is a significant component of well-being. The best type of curiosity to promote well-being goes beyond being interested and engaged in your surroundings. Mindfulness, in which you deliberately pay attention to what you’re sensing, feeling, and thinking, pays off in a heightened sense of self-determination over your behaviour. The more in control you feel about what you do, the better you’ll feel about yourself and your experiences. Even when you can’t completely control the forces that impact on your life, thinking about your reactions and gaining greater self-understanding can help offset their negative impact.
Dr Harriet Doyle
GP – Tavyside Health Centre, Tavistock