Am I Well?

How do we know if we are well? Being well is different for each of us, but there are certain quality of life factors that we can use as indicators.

Wellbeing can be defined in economic terms; where wealth creates things like safety and peace of mind. And, it can be decided by having freedom to choose how we spend our time. Some aspects of wellbeing are external, like the environment, and some are internal, like how we feel about something.

First, lets talk about economic wellbeing and the relationship between money and happiness. This is subjective. The World Health Organization describes economic quality of life as “an individual’s perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations standards and concerns.” Positions can be your job, housing, education, work-life balance, and access to services and healthcare.

If any of these are missing or inadequate, it may be outside our control. So, it’s important to do what we can to make it better. Eating nutritious food, getting enough sleep, and exercising are ways to improve health.

Taking pride in our space by keeping it neat and clean, and little touches like plants can improve an area.

Maintain relationships by setting aside quality time with loved ones. Connecting with someone for just a few minutes keeps the relationships alive.

When possible, prioritize your personal goals when choosing a job. Like working close to home, or doing work that you enjoy. If there are many areas of improvement, be patient and kind with yourself until there’s a breakthrough.

Next, wellbeing can be defined in dimensions. Commonly, there are five to seven categories:

1. Physical wellbeing – overall health including strength, endurance, and flexibility.
2. Intellectual wellbeing – engaging in creative and stimulating activities that encourage thought.
3. Environmental wellbeing – Access to nature, clean air, trees, space in the earth.
4. Vocational wellbeing – sharing gifts and talents like being in a choir or band or playing a sport.
5. Social wellbeing – having a support system of close relationships.
6. Emotional wellbeing – being confident and having a voice, and a positive outlook.
7. Spiritual wellbeing – having a purpose, connecting to God, and living in harmony with other life forms.

Answering the question, “Am I well?” is subjective. Not all things are in our control, but we can choose how much they matter.