We all are different and unique in our own ways. Even the members of same family differ a lot. We differ in our expectations from life, how we perceive success, the way we define health, things we value, our goals and commitment towards them. Likewise, we differ in how we define happiness and well-being. It’s based on our experiences, achievements, failures, upliftments, setbacks, emotions, outlook and beliefs. There is no standard, universal scale that can measure happiness or well-being; it’s subjective.
What is subjective well-being?
Subjective well-being is how we measure our state of well-being based our feelings and opinions. It’s how we summarise our lives, in terms of life satisfaction. Subsequently, an overall positive or negative orientation towards our life journey. Our well-being is not only our physical fitness, but also, our emotional satisfaction. It’s a measure of how we value ourselves in the world around us. Do we consider ourselves as Achievers? Strugglers? Or lost? In fact it’s how we see our whole life and not just merely our current state.
Well-being is not just a state of persistent joy but also a sense of purpose. Not just that it is also about realising our potential, opportunities to thrive, control over life, contentment in our relationships and pro-social behaviour. Indeed, it is spread to personal, interpersonal, professional and social levels. And linked to our productivity, effective learning and creativity as well.
Aspects of well-being
Though there are countless aspects of well-being; from your socioeconomic status to longevity ; but here are few mostly talked about aspects to begin with:
Physical
Physical well-being is not just about avoiding illness and keeping your vitals under control. Rather, it also covers your mood, energy level, fatigue, focus, flexibility, endurance. Infact in includes every single parameter that defines a fully functional you. Physical fitness is more than eating and burning calories. Indeed, it is your love for yourself, your confidence in you appearance and your approach towards ageing. In short it’s a perfect balance of mind, body and soul.
Mental
Usually people see mental health in terms of stress level one has. Of course, stress is definitely an important element of mental well-being but it’s not the only one. In fact mental well-being is our ability to overcome challenges, confidence in our capabilities, our potential to convert opportunities into results and our attitude towards our goals. Not just that but it also counts how soon we give up and how strong we bounce back. How we think and act; not merely through our cognitive abilities but also through impulse control.
Emotional
Emotional well-being is about understanding and accepting your emotions. How you manage your emotions effectively through tough times. Emotional wellness is not turning away from agony or pain to focus on feel-good sentiments only. We all have to deal with challenges and difficult situation. And keeping your emotions in check is not to ignore or deny your feelings. Rather it’s to be aware of them and handle them thoughtfully. An emotionally well person can cope with both positive and negative emotions effectively.
Social
Our well-being is not individualistic. We are surrounded by people. They impact us and we impact them. In total, our social well-being impacts our relationships, people around us, our social interactions and how we see ourselves in the world around us. It indeed is a sense of belongingness to the society we live in. And at the same time being comfortable with ourselves. Therefore, positive social affiliation directly affects our self-esteem, confidence and sense of worthiness.
How subjective well-being impacts us
Health
Our physical health is the first to suffer and also the first to improve whenever our circumstances change. Just like any positive emotion directly benefits our body, similarly, stress and negative emotions takes a toll on it. When things around us are going smooth we automatically feel energised and healthy. And henceforth, keeps us away from illness and help us to move towards longevity.
Productivity
A state of overall wellness boosts your confidence, brings in more trust in your capabilities, and thus enhances your productivity. Unhappy people can’t have defined goals, they don’t have a zeal to work. Consequently, they lose interest in any task in hand. Therefore, keeping your wellness well checked is your mantra to be successful.
Relationships
In order to make others happy, you will have to be happy with yourself. If you are filled with optimism, contentment and self-worth; it will reflect in your interactions too. Your own sense of worthiness will make you sensitive towards others feelings. And the reciprocated friendliness from people who care about us, will make you feel richer.
Contribution to society
People fulfilled in their own life have more energy and headspace to help others. They are able to sense in their surroundings. And hence, can think and act about the issues they find. Only when they are gratified themselves, they can offer their services to the ones in need. To sum up, happiness is contagious; one joyful person can bring smile to many faces.
Life satisfaction
Our well-being touches each and every part of our life. It covers our accomplishments, relationships, physical and mental health, social status, financial security, commitments and leisures. That is why it’s a state of where you are fulfilled and satisfied with your life on the whole.
Sense of worthiness
Your self-esteem and worthiness is directly linked with the positivity you feel within yourself. When your health, aspirations, relations and emotions are well taken care of, you automatically feel valued. Further, you find yourself beautifully placed in the cosmos playing your role efficiently. Thus you feel deserving and truly worthy.
How to improve your subjective well-being
Bring focus on your health
Healthy mind lives in a healthy body. Eat nutritious food and not the calorie deficit meal, stay active throughout the day, don’t compromise on your sleep, practice relaxation techniques, let the sunshine fall on your body, stay hydrated, keep a regular check on your vitals, take recovery breaks during stressful jobs. Trust me, if your body isn’t feeling well, nothing else in the world would matter.
Give time to your loved ones
No matter how busy you are, do take out a designated time each day for your loved ones. Spend time with your family and friends. Most importantly, make sure you give your undivided attention to the person when they talk. Let them feel valued with you and consequently, you would also feel valued with them.
Reflect yourself
Do spend few minutes of your day alone and reflect on yourself. Ask yourself thoughtful questions. For example your dreams, desires. Or what exactly makes you most happy? How you feel with people around you? Be honest to yourself. Have a close look at your current circumstances and how they are affecting you. Think about the experiences that have shaped you and look for the learnings you had from them.
Practice gratitude
Life must have offered you countless moments of rejoice, opportunities that brought you where you are today, loved ones that you can always confide in and your prized possessions. Take some time out to thank universe for bringing them all to you. Notice tiny wonders of the day and appreciate them for bringing smile to your face.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is minute by minute awareness of self and your surroundings. It a practice of paying attention to little details without judging them. Be aware of your feelings, your senses, listen carefully to yourself and others. Acknowledge and respect your skills as well as your weak spots.
Set clear goals
Have a clear goal in mind with defined steps and explicit timeline. Don’t keep imprecise goals like ‘I want to be fit’; rather have clear vision on what exactly in fitness is that you want to achieve. Is it number of pounds that you want to shed? Is it the stamina that you want to improve like by running 5 km non-stop? Or is a vital in your blood report that you want to improve? Give yourself a crystal clear target. Follow this practice in any area of your well-being that you want to see results at.
Create a balance
Maintain a schedule and follow it diligently. Keep a little time in each day for activities and people who matters. Instead of crowding yourself with people, focus on ones who really count. There won’t’ be a ‘lack of time’ problem if you learn to manage your time effectively. Learn to prioritise, learn to trim and learn to let go.
Be consistent
No matter how small a change you bring in your lifestyle, be consistent at it. Consistency is the key to improvement. If you have decided to go for a walk every morning then do it every single day, irrespective of weather outside. Instead of finding excuses, equip yourself. Your well-being is your responsibility, take every bit of it with utmost seriousness.
Keep a journal
Sit in a quiet place, take a deep breathe, look closely at the thoughts running in your mind and write it down. The more you write, the lighter you become. Free yourself with this huge stockpile of worries and distress, put them on a piece of paper, see them clearly and take a step ahead to find solutions.
Be creative
Awaken that little child inside you and indulge in the world of art. Creativity, just like meditation brings calming effect to mind. Creating something is associated with a sense of accomplishment. It gives you the same pleasure like your other accomplishments.
- in the search of happiness, don't forget to be happy -