Wellbeing is a health construct with a broad range of definitions. It’s viewed through a comprehensive lens where an individual’s physical, emotional, social, intellectual, and spiritual health intersect. Wellbeing is holistic, as it requires a synergistic approach to these five dimensions. Here are a few articles I’ve authored on the subject that provide a deeper perspective:
“Wellbeing is the balance point between an individual’s resource pool and the challenges faced.”
This definition 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.
If you think your pant size determines your level of wellbeing, think again. While obesity is a key factor in physical health, it shouldn’t be confused with overall wellbeing. After all, how important is that garment tag if you’re anxious, lonely, and drifting in purposelessness? Perhaps it’s time we stop glamorizing the privileged, crafted version of health and find an equitable way to examine our true state of being.
Long before the definition of health began evolving into singularly focused weight loss fanaticism, a more robust concept of wellbeing was developed. It was more of a philosophical construct for many years, rather than a health metric, but it was, and continues to be, an important aspect of a life well lived.
If you're too busy to follow all of the health news that's pumped out 24/7, let me spotlight two important pieces that affect your everyday wellbeing:
1) There’s more than one dimension of health. Wellbeing is a large synergistic cluster of health domains.
2) You are the center of the health model. Not a doctor, not an employer, not the soda industry marketing team.
Is physical wellbeing really the foundation for optimizing all other dimensions of health, such as emotional, social, intellectual, financial, and spiritual health? It may be. I mean, if basic physical needs aren’t being met, it’s difficult for us to focus on other aspects of health. Can’t relate? That’s probably a good thing, because it means you’ve never wanted for food or shelter. While we’d like to have our faith and purpose serve as the foundation
It’s Friday night and a movie sounds great. Then the voices start. "Who should I call? They were all busy last time. I must look so desperate... I can’t go alone. Or could I?” In the time that it takes to look up the theater schedule, you’ve talked yourself into another Netflix night on the couch.
I tell you this saga because I’m confused why going gray is seen as some socially forward act. I mean, a good coif date is divine, so I get that hair is really, really important. But must we aggregate all women who choose to go dye free as experiencing some cathartic peak?