Well-being Definition: The inconsistent and varied happiness or satisfaction of your mental state
Explanation of model: My model of well-being is based on the definition above. The factors that I have included cause varied happiness in all of us, and allow us to not always be happy. Each dimension shows what can possibly have us in a state of well-being, while also keeping with the varied aspect of our happiness. Without the varied stage of this happiness, we would never be able to have our own well-being because we would never know what it meant to be well. Forcing happiness on ourselves all the time is unhealthy, which is why it is important to be inconsistent or varied. These dimensions are critical to explaining this varied happiness or inconsistency.
Dimensions:
(Ranked in order of importance)
- Social Support- This dimension is all about who is around you. The people you surround yourself with will either improve your happiness, or decrease your well-being. You want to be considered with you interactions because the more you interact, the better you feel and the happier you are. Same goes for friends. You want more quality friends than you do quantity. Close relationships will help you improve your health and make you feel better. If there is more isolation in your life, then your happiness and health declines. You need these close relationships to improve overall health and well-being.
- Habitual routines- It is a fact that you cannot always be happy. There will be certain moments in the day where you feel average to below average. However, it is critical to have that one moment of happiness every day. You have to do one thing a day, at least, to make sure you accomplish this happiness. Your thoughts and your mind are what make you happy most of the time. Most of the happiness is self-determined, so get in a routine to help you stay happy.
- Emotional/Expectations of mental state- Your emotions are critical to your well-being. If you are sad all the time, obviously you will not be in a state of well-being. I have found in my personal experiences when I have goals and expectations, I am happier. I can work toward those goals and make sure I accomplish them to the best of my ability. Additionally, you cannot always be happy. You must allow yourself to be sad at some points. If you are always happy, you are not addressing important issues in your life. Therefore, create expectations for your mental state to make sure you are in a state of well-being.
- Thoughtfulness- A person must always keep their thoughts in check. You want to do stuff that will make you happy, but also must learn to do things that will make others happy as well. Think of others around you. If you only think of yourself, then you will not get one of the best joys in the world, which is giving. It is important in this dimension to be comfortable with yourself. You cannot be giving to others but not be okay with who you are as a person. Always think what can you do to improve your life, then think what can you do to improve someone else’s life.
- How you earn money- Earning money is not something that will always give you happiness. It is how you earn that money in your life that will make you happy. I can guarantee you if you are earning a lot of money but you hate the job, your state of well-being will decrease dramatically. The balance must exist between what you earn and your love of the job. You will be much happier and in a much better state of well-being earning less money, but enjoying your job.
- Technology- This dimension is all around us today. It is a broad term to encompass both technology in developed countries, and un-developed countries. Without technology, we are unable to do the most menial of tasks. The need for technology is growing quickly and expanding to many countries today. That is why we all need it in our lives. Without technology, our state of well-being will decrease because we cannot accomplish tasks.