Well-being is a complex concept that encompasses physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual, and environmental health. It is the pursuit of continuous growth and balance in these seven dimensions of well-being. Many people think of well-being solely in terms of physical health, but it is much more than that. Physical health is an essential part of well-being, but it is not the only factor.
It involves nutrition, exercise, weight control, and other aspects of physical health. Mental well-being is about having a realistic view of yourself and your circumstances. It is about being prepared and self-confident to deal with life's unpredictability and stressors without feeling overwhelmed or powerless. Emotional well-being is closely related to mental well-being.
It involves recognizing and managing emotions. Stress, both chronic and acute, is a warning sign that your emotional state needs attention. Social well-being involves maintaining balance in your immediate and distant family, good friends, new acquaintances, and the social element in your workplace. Spiritual well-being is about aligning your mind and body with your purpose in life.
Any activity that promotes alignment and makes your purpose more clear will help you develop your spiritual well-being. Environmental well-being is about better aligning with the needs of the environment. This includes things like turning off lights that aren't in use, cutting out packs of six rings, and not leaving the faucet running while you're washing dishes. Each dimension of well-being exists in relation to the others.
If one dimension of your well-being is unbalanced, the other dimensions are affected. Therefore, it is important to focus on all seven dimensions of well-being to achieve overall health and quality of life.
