Mental well-being is often underestimated. Most people pay more attention to their physical health thus they eat healthy meals. However, you are only happy when physical and mental well-being goes hand in hand. Both are inextricably linked and shape your quality of life.
Mental Wellbeing: What Is It?
Mental well-being is also known as “mental health”. It is the “state of well-being wherein a person can achieve his abilities, work productively and fruitfully, cope with normal life stresses, and is able to contribute something to his community.”
Sure, everyone experiences days when he or she is only in a moderate mood. Psychological well-being is more about a long-term condition that can still fluctuate. It is often equated with luck.
Mental wellbeing
This mood is also known as “eudaemonic wellbeing”. According to Aristotle’s idea, eudaemonia meant that someone could reach their full potential. According to the American psychologist Carol Ryff, people achieve a high level of psychological well-being when they can determine their own life and see meaning in them. This is about well-being through self-actualization.
Importance of mental wellbeing
Mental well-being is not only worth striving for because it is a pleasant feeling. It contributes to mental health and has an overall impact on all areas of life.
Anyone who is generally satisfied and optimistic with their life
- has better health.
- has a higher life expectancy.
- has a reduced risk of certain diseases.
- more likely to get married.
- behaves selflessly more often.
- more likely to donate to non-profit organizations.
- is mostly a philanthropist.
- seems sympathetic to other people.
- often has a higher income.
- is less likely to face unemployment.
- is more capable and productive at work.
Mental health measurability
What contributes to well-being is on the one hand quite individual. On the other hand, it’s not about chasing happiness, but about living a full life. Carol Ryff developed a questionnaire that can be used to measure psychological well-being. Six influencing factors are decisive for this:
- Self-acceptance
- Personal growth
- Meaning in life
- Design of your own environment
- Autonomy
- Positive relationships with others
A look at the influencing factors shows that psychological well-being depends both on oneself and on the environment and interaction with other people.