There are a number of really good reasons why it is good to cultivate well-being.
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It is worth considering the following key points
Many people feel that if they don’t feel happy all of the time then in some way they are failing. But the truth is it is very normal to not feel happy all of the time. Feelings of happiness tend to be more fleeting while feelings of well-being are more deep-rooted and we can draw upon these feelings no matter what situation we may find ourselves in.
Sometimes we find ourselves feeling emotions that are not positive and we end up in a funk, not even able to enjoy a fling with a Jackpot Capital bonus! At times like this, it is good to go to those places, physical or mental, that make us feel better, places that conjure up feelings of well-being. For some, that could be taking a walk to their favorite place. Here, it is possible to feel all kinds of emotions but retain a feeling of well-being.
For the majority of people, the last couple of years with the pandemic have been difficult. People are tired and often worried and stressed by the changes that have been wrought by it. They may have sleepless nights and days when they feel anything but happy. At times like this, it is important to cultivate a sense of well-being that can pull you through these periods.
The difference between happiness and well-being
A feeling of well-being can exist in spite of anything that is going on. The feeling of well-being does not depend on what you are doing but is a state of being, in spite of what is happening. There are different ways of cultivating this sense of well-being.
One way is to meditate and another is immersing yourself in nature. Happiness can be defined in many ways but is more often associated with feelings of joy, momentary and temporary that lead to positive emotions. You feel happy when something particular occurs or some condition that makes you feel joyful. It is often temporary and circumstantial. These emotions and moods come and go and you cannot expect to feel happy emotions all of the time.
But the unspoken societal message is that happiness is the ultimate benchmark and, therefore, if you do not feel happy you are somehow to blame, you are doing something wrong, or indeed something is wrong with you. Unfortunately, social media, platforms like Instagram which are full of ‘happy smiling people’, can make you feel you are not measuring up. Such is the danger of the myth of happiness.
The focus should be on the well-being
Some key pointers:
- It is possible to experience a sense of well-being in spite of feeling sad or unhappy about some circumstance. This sense of well-being comes from having a deep connection with yourself and feel supported by those around you. Being kind to yourself when you are feeling pain or even grief and allowing yourself to feel these feelings and to take care of yourself at the same time, will give rise to a sense of well-being in spite of the sad or unhappy emotions being experienced.
- A sense of well-being is not dependent on what is happening. Happiness is something we feel in particular circumstances, like meeting up with friends or family. Well-being, on the other hand, is a deep-rooted feeling of being connected and having meaningful relationships in your life. You don’t have to be physical with those friends and family to benefit and call upon these feelings of connection in order to experience well-being.
- Feelings of well-being is not only present when you are involved in doing things that you like to do. Feelings of well-being will be present when you feel connected to things that are most important to you. Preparing to watch your favorite tv show may give you a sense of joy and pleasure but that is not the same as having a sense of well-being. It is a temporary feeling of happiness. If you feel that you are living the life that is meaningful, doing things that are important to you and connecting with people in a meaningful way, this is when you will experience a sense of well-being. Even at times when you are not actively engaged with these meaningful things and people, you will still be nourished by them.
- Well-being is a long-term investment. It involves developing a life of alignment with things that are important to you. Knowing that you are nourishing yourself with healthy goods that will lead to good health will give you a sense of well-being. Being involved in meaningful relationships and sharing and making a contribution to those around you will further enhance your sense of well-being.
Below are a number of things to consider when trying to develop a sense of well-being
- Try imagining allowing yourself to actually go ahead and feel whatever you feel, good or bad and to just pay kind attention to it. For example, you might visualize a loving mother supporting her frightened child and seeing how the child is soothed by their presence. This is not something that is easy to do for oneself, but it is something that can be really useful to draw upon.
- Write a list of things that make you feel happy. At the same time, make a list of the times when you have experienced a real sense of well-being. Compare the lists and see where the similarities and differences lie. This may well give you some clues as to where you might focus your attention and help you cultivate well-being.
- Think about the things in your life that really sustain you. Things that you draw upon and that nourish you. Have they always been the same things or have they shifted over time?
- Do you have a favorite place, where you really get a sense of well-being? Perhaps in nature, or perhaps a place that you like to go in your mind that gives you that experience of well-being. How does it feel to be there and how is this feeling different from feelings of happiness?
- Can you use your imagination to somehow help you to experience well-being? Putting yourself in places, states of mind, and perspectives that cultivate well-being. For example, a relaxed, calm, and peaceful state will help to cultivate a sense of well-being.