Factors Influencing Well-Being

We can achieve a sense of well-being through a healthy lifestyle and by adopting good habits. The basic principles of healthy life style include good diet, adequate exercise, sleep, proper recreation and a set routine. Balance and avoidance of extremes is very important for leading a good life.

  1. Nutrition: Do you remember when you were unable to eat for a long period of time? You must have felt weak, irritable and hungry. Sufficient calorie intake is necessary for good health. Since we need energy through out the day we should not skip meals or go on diets or under eat. We should eat a balanced diet of carbohydrates, proteins, fats and vitamins. The reverse is also true as some people consume too many calories and became overweight. Such people are also likely to have a lower self-esteem particularly if the culture approves a slim body.

  2. Exercise: Decreased physical activity affects our health and well-being. Lack of exercise can lead to headache, high blood pressure, diabetes, backache, irritability, anxiety and depression. Today obesity is another serious problem faced by the youth and adults alike. Exercise has a positive effect on mood. People who exercise regularly are able to control stress and enjoy high quality of life.

  3. Sleep: Adequate sleep is required to rejuvenate and refresh both the mind and body. Sleep deficiency leads to irritability, anxiety, depression and disturbed thinking. How many hours of sleep do you get? We need about 8-9 hours of sleep to function effectively. We should try to establish a regular sleep routine and not sleep at irregular hours. Remember that people who exercise regularly also sleep well.

  4. Recreation: Just as we need proper nutrition, exercise and sleep, we also need to relax and enjoy life. Indulging in certain activities, personally important to us, give us joy, fulfillment, satisfaction and act as a diversion from the hectic life we lead in current times.

  5. Yoga and meditation: These activities bring discipline and peace in life. In addition there are many health related benefits which make a person fit and active. 

  6. Having friends and maintaining relationships: Friends and other people provide support and give opportunities to develop network, cooperation and enriching social life.

  7. Optimism, resilience and hope: People with optimism, resilience and hope are found to be healthier and happier than others who lack these characteristics. Having these positive attitudes makes a person effective and productive. Optimism refers to being positive while resilience is the ability to be strong in difficult times.

  8. Routine: Routines help establish healthy habits that bring structure to our lives. A daily routine provides us with a framework and orders our life world. We know what is expected from us; otherwise we get alarmed when we are unclear about the expectations from others. The positive effect of routine is that it provides a sense of organization, control and responsibility to the person. Bad habits can be turned into good habits.