Psychological well-being refers to an individual’s emotional health and overall functioning. It consists of positive social relationships, autonomy, mastery of the environment, self-acceptance, a sense of purpose, and personal growth.
The absence of distress does not necessarily indicate a person’s psychological well-being. High psychological well-being is a state of feeling happy and doing well. People with high psychological well-being feel competent, happy, well-supported, and satisfied with life.
At a glance
Psychological well-being is characterized by positive relationships, self-acceptance, a sense of purpose, personal growth, autonomy, and competence. It leads to better health, greater happiness, and a longer lifespan. Fortunately, it’s something that can be improved by finding meaning, cultivating optimism, and cultivating social support. In this article, you will learn more about how to increase your own psychological well-being.
Elements of psychological well-being
One popular model describes psychological well-being as consisting of six key components:
- acceptance of self:Have a positive attitude towards yourself
- purpose of life: Having goals and a sense that life has meaning and purpose.
- autonomy: a sense of independence and freedom from social pressures
- positive social relationships: Having meaningful connections with others characterized by mutual love, empathy, intimacy, and trust.
- environmentally savvy: Feeling competent and having the opportunity to take control of one’s personal environment.
- personal growth:Learn, have new experiences, take on challenges, and lead to growth.
According to this perspective, psychological well-being is more than just feeling good, feeling joyful, and being happy. However, they are clearly important as well. Instead, it embraces what is known as the eudaimonic perspective, which emphasizes the importance of personal growth, purpose, meaning, and self-actualization.
Why is psychological health important?
Psychological well-being is considered a core aspect of mental health. People with high psychological well-being tend to:
- live healthier and longer
- enjoy a better quality of life
- fewer social problems
- lower risk of illness and death
- more likely to engage in healthy behavior
- deal with stress better
- Adapts more easily to setbacks and changes
For example, research has shown that people with higher levels of psychological well-being are less likely to engage in criminal behavior or abuse drugs or alcohol. Furthermore, positive psychological well-being tends to predict higher income and more prosocial behaviors, such as volunteering.
People are also more likely to enjoy positive psychological well-being when their basic needs are met. Living in a safe neighborhood, having enough food, and adequate housing are all important factors for mental health.
If you want to improve your psychological health, there are several things you can do to improve your mood and function. Here’s an overview of some important things you can do to improve your overall sense of well-being.
Creating a purpose
Living your life with meaning and purpose is the key to improving your psychological health. However, your purpose doesn’t necessarily have to include changing the world or finding a career dedicated to helping others.
Instead, you might make it a goal to be kind every day. Or maybe your goal is to make the world a better place by encouraging others to care for the environment or adopt pets from shelters. Perhaps your purpose is to be an advocate for people who are hurting, such as bullied students, the homeless, or victims of abuse.
If you feel like your life has no purpose, don’t worry. There are many ways to find your purpose and create a more meaningful life. Start by thinking about the legacy you want to leave behind.
Write down how you want to be remembered at the end of your life and think about the impact you want to leave on the earth. Then set some goals that will help you reach those goals.
Working towards your goals will not only earn you money, it will give you a reason to get out of bed every day.
positive thinking
Thinking positively can also improve your mental health. Additionally, improved psychological well-being makes it easier to think positively and feel better overall. Fortunately, you can start creating that virtuous cycle using a few simple strategies.
write about a better future
Take a few minutes and write down all the good things that may happen to you in the future. Imagine how you would spend your time and who you would spend it with if you were living your best life.
You can also make a plan on how to make it happen. Set small, measurable goals that will help you achieve a better future. Next, make a plan. Working toward a better future, even if the steps are really small, creates a sense of purpose and joy.
remember positive events in your life
Spend time thinking about the best memories of your life. Whether it’s a family vacation you took 10 years ago or an award you won at work two years ago, remembering the happiest times in your life can help you think more positively.
Recognizing the good things that have happened to you over time, such as the people you have built memories with or the good times you have had, is important to improving your well-being. They remind you of the fulfillment that life has to offer, especially when circumstances may bring you down.
perform an act of kindness
Doing good things for others reminds you that you have the power to change the world. Giving to others can also help you think more positively and feel happier. Helping a neighbor in need, volunteering for community work, and raising money for charity are just some of the simple ways to improve your psychological health.
Also, look for ways to be kind to others in your daily life. Doing so can benefit you in several ways. In fact, researchers have shown that individual acts of kindness release both endorphins and oxytocin (the feel-good hormone) and create new neural connections.
As a result, kindness becomes a self-reinforcing habit that requires less and less effort to perform. There is also some evidence linking kindness and healing. So look for ways to be kind to others. Then your body and mind will thank you.
practice mindfulness
Mindfulness, or staying in the present moment, has been linked to a variety of benefits, from increased well-being to increased resilience. Mindfulness is a skill that takes practice and dedication, but over time you can learn how to be present in the present moment. There are also many benefits to doing so.
For example, research suggests that mindfulness can help manage stress, cope with serious illness, and reduce anxiety and depression. In fact, people who practice mindfulness feel more relaxed, have improved self-esteem, and a greater enthusiasm for life.
Additionally, research has found a link between mindfulness meditation and changes in the parts of the brain that control memory, learning, and emotion. This finding is not surprising, as mindfulness requires paying attention to your thoughts, actions, and body.
I would like to express my gratitude
Whether it’s sending a letter to someone expressing your gratitude or writing in a journal about the things you’re grateful for, expressing gratitude helps you stay focused on all the good things in life. You can also express your gratitude on social media.
Learning to be grateful for everything becomes a way of life. You’ll find that you can appreciate not only the big things like a new job or a friend visiting, but also the small things like the beauty of a sunset. Finding something to be grateful for each day is a simple but effective way to increase your mental well-being.
identify your strengths
It is important to feel competent and confident. One of the best ways to accomplish this task is to remember what you’re good at and what your character strengths are. Reflect on your past accomplishments and the attributes that contributed to your success.
Write these things down to remind yourself of what you have to offer the world. Also, feel free to mention any areas that need improvement. Working on improving yourself is a great way to impact your overall well-being.
practice forgiveness
Letting go of past hurts and anger is the key to good psychological well-being. Forgiving someone doesn’t mean you have to forgive them for hurting you again. Instead, forgiveness is about freeing yourself from the anger that is holding you back and binding you to that person.
Forgiving others allows you to focus your energy on more positive things instead of ruminating on past hurts and insults. If the person who hurt you still threatens your overall well-being, it may also be helpful to establish boundaries to protect yourself from further unnecessary pain.
foster relationships
Research shows that loneliness has serious negative effects on mental and physical health. According to the US Surgeon General, being lonely is as deadly as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. However, just having people around you is not the solution. Instead, building deep connections with other people is essential.
Quality of relationships is more important than quantity when it comes to improving psychological well-being.
Social media contact is a good way to stay in touch with friends when you can’t meet them in person, but nothing can replace the benefits of face-to-face contact. Grab a coffee with a friend, have dinner with your family, or call a loved one to chat.
Strong social support is also important for maintaining mental health. If you don’t have a support system, take steps to meet more people. Get involved in community activities, get to know your neighbors, and keep in touch with old friends.
Press play for advice on being human
This episode of the Very Well Mind Podcast features Grammy Award-winning singer LeAnn Rimes as she shares what it means to be “fully human.” Click below to listen now.
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please keep in mind
Psychological health is an important part of feeling happy and functioning on a daily basis. Developing healthy habits that promote mental health is easier than you think.
Start small and try implementing one or two strategies to maximize your psychological well-being, such as writing down some of your strengths and happy memories. Over time, you’ll see that these practices impact your positivity and overall mental health.
