Aging and Wellbeing

“Wellbeing is the balance point between an individual’s resource pool and the challenges faced.”

Have you ever considered wellbeing as anything beyond health vs illness? This definition, developed by researcher R. Dodge et al, represents wellbeing as a state of equilibrium, with a balance set-point. Think playground seesaw with challenges on one seat and resources on the other. More challenges this month means we need higher resources for balance. A calm year means we don’t need to call as many resources into play to remain balanced.

While there are dozens of wellbeing definitions, most center on reaching an elevated state of being, where a wellness checklist is completed as we age. As though wellbeing is static, not a dynamic flow through decades of life, years, months days, or moments in time. Conceptually wonderful but lacking a framework for personal guidance.

I share this as a reminder that we’re all in a dynamic state of wellbeing. Which means it’s time to assess our resources, particularly as we acknowledge our aging selves. We’ll likely need more of them as our challenges increase so it’s a good time to build a personal resource library. Resources might mean calling a friend when you’re sorting through a problem. Or finding a specialist who will work through a health crisis. Living in an age-friendly walking community, having access to healthy foods, taking an art class, joining a book club, feeling safe at home, having a prayer circle. You get the idea. It’s a multi-dimensional, on demand support system.

I hope you’re not overwhelmed with the notion of building a stockpile of resources. We already have many, but might not refer to them as such because they’re so richly baked into our lives that we take them for granted. Family, friends, comfortable surroundings, even the security of knowing they exist long before we need them.

And while we’re counting our available blessings/resources, let’s not forget we’re also able to be a resource for others. In fact, aging can be a robust period of growth, where we have time to share our gifts with others during their challenging times. Volunteering, listening, sharing stories, community engagement, activism, modeling positive aging to younger generations.

Looking for a How To guide? Each life stage brings a new set of challenges to balance. I’m currently/always;) working on my personal journey. Although I’ve created many health promotion programs and even published my dissertation on wellbeing in midlife women, there are so many unique facets to consider based on our history and sense of purpose. I use the five dimensions of wellbeing model as a framework: Physical, emotional, social, intellectual, and spiritual. Comprehensive and oh so simple resources for aging well.

Phew, that’s a lot to digest in one reading! I hope your takeaway is that wellbeing is not skinny or smart or wealthy. It is building systems into our daily lives so we face our challenges with optimal resources.

Reference

Dodge, R., Daly, A. P., Huyton, J., & Sanders, L. D. (2012). The challenge of defining wellbeing. International Journal of Wellbeing, 2(3).