Psychological well-being - how can we get it?

We all have some idea what it is like to be psychologically happy and healthy, but it is tricky to get a better understanding of these concepts and the methods to achieve such happiness. The study of psychological well-being may give us some insights into this new area of psychology and help us get closer to attaining this level of optimal functioning.

Psychological well-being is usually tied to personal growth and the cultivation one's full potential. Studies have shown that people experiencing psychological well-being have a sense of autonomy, competence, self-acceptance, belongingness and purpose. It appears that living the "good life" is essential to authentic happiness. Personal attributes, however, do not appear to be enough. One also needs to have a sense of social connectedness and contribution. Having close personal relationships and a desire and ability to contribute to society can add significantly to our happiness and sense of well-being.

Several articles in the literature also point toward the need to reach beyond personal boundaries and to develop a "meaningful life". It appears that activities that contribute to personal pleasure, positive emotion, and "feeling good" is very important. Various forms of recreation and "having fun" appear to be very important in this area of personal growth.

Studies have also shown that positive emotion is related to longevity, a perception of good health in older adults, and a decreased loss of functional status and mobility. These findings point to the general finding that the creation of positive emotions has a direct, positive effect on one's physical health. Research has also shown that the presence of positive feelings can lead to improved immune function, such that we become more capable of fighting off infection. These findings strongly suggest that psychological well-being can be a powerful benefit to us both emotionally and physically. It is evident that we need to learn more in this fairly new area of research and investigation. Check back for further insights and information.

The important question now is: how does one develop this sense of happiness and well-being? Obviously if it was easy to achieve, we would all strive to do it. As this is a new area of research, and one that is difficult to study, there is presently no easy solution that I am aware of. One helpful approach, though, may be the development of positive self-esteem. Low self-esteem tends to destroy one's well-being and joy in life. A good resource for the development and improvement of one's self-esteem can be found here: CLICK HERE