Research shows we need to pay attention to each aspect of our well-being to be at our best and thrive. Gallup identified various facets well-being has found that, while 66% of people thrive in one, only 7% of people thrive in all facets. When we struggle in one, it can affect the others. Likewise, strengthening one can improve others. But we aren’t fully thriving until we have established well-being in all areas. Physical well-being is the ability to maintain a healthy quality of life, permitting us to get the most out of daily activities without fatigue or undue stress. This can be achieved through regular exercise, proper nutrition, good sleep hygiene, a good relationship with your doctor and abstaining from harmful habits, such as drug use, tobacco use and alcohol abuse. What you can do:
- Eat well.
- Exercise regularly.
- Get enough sleep.
- Stay hydrated.
- Obtain regular preventive care and screenings.
- Practice daily mindfulness.
Emotional well-being is the ability to adapt to stressful situations, remain calm, be positive and manage negative emotions in difficult circumstances. Practicing mindfulness daily can help, leading to relaxation, stress reduction and the development of inner strength. Being mindful and living in the present moment are essential components of emotional well-being. Stress can be a major factor in your emotional well-being, and each person deals with it differently. It begins with your ability to listen to yourself and accept your feelings in a positive way, thereby enabling yourself to form supportive and interdependent relationships with others. What you can do:
- Be aware of your emotions and reactions.
- Find meaning and purpose.
- Strive for balance.
- Have a healthy self-perception.
- Maintain healthy relationships.
Career well-being is how you feel about the work you do and the ability to pursue your interests, values and purpose to have meaning, happiness and professional enrichment. It includes maintaining a balance in life that promotes physical and emotional well-being while allowing you to thrive in the work you do, helping you to stay focused, motivated and more successful in your careers. This helps make each day feel more meaningful. What you can do:
- Create connections with co-workers.
- Seek opportunities for professional growth.
- Find your purpose in your job.
- Increase your knowledge and skillset.
Social well-being is about having a sense of belonging to family, friends and a community. Having supportive relationships and engaging with others in positive and meaningful ways is one of the strongest predictors of well-being. Personal connections contribute to a long and fulfilling life. When you nurture relationships with others, you create healthy support networks for life. What you can do:
- Communicate clearly and respectfully.
- Maintain healthy relationships.
- Recognize how other people influence you.
- Learn something new.
Financial well-being is when you can meet ongoing financial obligations and feel secure about your finances. It’s not dependent solely on how much money you earn or have saved. It often requires making conscious decisions or changes to daily money management. A very common source of anxiety is financial stress, which can have negative effects on both health and job performance. Finding that balance between spending and saving will aid in one’s ability to work toward personal monetary-based goals and achieve financial “fitness.” What you can do:
- Create a budget.
- Define short- and long-term goals.
- Create an emergency fund.
- Attack debt.
- Consult a professional to assist with retirement accounts and long-term financial planning.
Community well-being is having a sense of belonging and connection to where you live, work and play. Being part of a community — whether in a neighborhood, an office or online — gives you the opportunity to meet and bond with like-minded people. It can include being engaged with a community of people who bring a combination of social, economic, environmental, cultural and political backgrounds that allow you to learn and flourish in your well-being. What you can do:
- Learn a new language to connect with others.
- Volunteer your time.
- Get involved in community events.
- Network with others.
Learn more about improving your well-being for a thriving life in this Blue Cross Virtual Well-BeingSM webinar. You can also sign up for future employer-focused and general interest webinars here, where you’ll find past sessions and resources. Related:
- Applying Resilience to Failure
- The Benefits of Green Exercise
- Talking to Strangers Can Improve Your Well-Being
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