Well-being can be thought of as the state of being happy, comfortable and content.
Here are some of the factors that can contribute to an individual’s well-being.
Physical Health
Having a healthy body can make an individual feel good about themselves. This includes getting regular exercise, having a healthy diet and getting adequate sleep. This also reduces the risk of many illnesses. Exercise, in particular, can release endorphins which are chemicals that give the body a natural high.
Financial Resources
Although money is not everything, having enough money to live comfortably and be able to afford to buy personal items and partake in activities is a real factor to well-being. Without financial security, individuals can feel trapped and stressed.
Emotional Support
We all need emotional support from others at certain times in our lives, whether this be from friends, family or other support networks. Having other people to talk to about feelings and emotions is a great reliever of stress.
Social Networks
Similar to emotional support, we also need other people to talk to and share experiences with. Social networks are groups of people that come together to do something such as football teams, church groups or simply a group of friends that get together regularly for a cup of tea. By being part of a group with similar ideals, individuals can obtain affirmation of their self-worth, which contributes towards their self-esteem.
Work & Education
Another factor that can make an individual feel valued is work and education. By striving towards a learning goal or doing worthwhile vocational work, an individual can feel as though they are able to contribute to society and feel fulfilled.
Choice & Control
All individuals have the right to make their own life choices, even if others disagree with their decisions. Having as much control as possible over our own lives can positively affect our well-being.
Respect & Dignity
Similarly, all individuals should be treated with respect and dignity. This is particularly true for vulnerable individuals who are at increased risk of being taken advantage of and abused. If a person is respected and treated in a dignified, they will feel more self-worth.
Example Question & Answer (Well-being Poster)
Your work is running a campaign to improve staff understanding of all aspects of person centred care.
You have been asked to create the following materials:
A iii) A poster that explains the factors which can contribute to the wellbeing of individuals
FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO AN INDIVIDUAL’S WELL-BEING
| Physical Health (e.g. diet, sleep, exercise etc.)
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Social (e.g. relationships with friends and family, opportunity to meet new people etc.)
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| Financial (e.g. having enough money, not overspending etc.)
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Psychological (e.g. feeling safe, having someone to talk to etc.)
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| Cultural (e.g. being able to live the life that they choose, having views and opinions respected by others etc.)
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Religious (e.g. having the freedom to practice their religious beliefs, having religious views respected by others etc.)
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| Self-esteem (e.g. feeling of belonging, being able to make a positive contribution to society etc.)
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Political (e.g. living in a fair and democratic society, having political opinions respected etc.)
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