Improving Your Wellbeing
Wellbeing is defined as the ability to adapt to change, deal with the normal stresses of life and respond to trauma, work productively and contribute to your community. Best known for its public opinion polls, Gallup has studied Americans’ wellbeing since the mid-20th Century. Its Wellbeing Daily Tracker measures positive and negative elements, including feeling well-rested, laughing and smiling, physical pain, and worry, stress and anger.
According to Gallup there are five essential elements to Wellbeing, Social, Physical, Community, Career and Financial. Social Wellbeing involves being surrounded by people who encourage your development, accept you for who you are and treat you with respect. To increase it, try to spend six hours a day interacting with your friends, family and peers (This can include in class, during meals, at home and through FaceTiming or telephone calls.) and mixing your social time with physical activity.
Physical Wellbeing is not just good health, but also having enough energy to accomplish daily tasks. A 2010 study by the University of Vermont found that 20 minutes of exercise can improve an individual’s mood up to 12 hours after the physical activity. While the health benefits of sleep are well-known, it also helps you process and remember what you learned during the day and keeps your immune system strong. Eating natural foods that create a colorful meal will further improve your Physical Wellbeing.
Community Wellbeing includes living in a place that is safe, promotes genuine social interactions and enhances your meaning and purpose. Try attending area events like the Mosaic District’s Films in the Park, free outdoor movies which take place on Sundays through September 2, 2018 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., or Truckeroo, the monthly food truck festival held at The Bullpen by Nationals Park between April and September. (The two remaining Truckeroo dates for 2018 are Friday, August 10 and September 28, from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.) Volunteering, which can range from helping elderly neighbors to coaching or tutoring younger students and stocking a food pantry, will allow you to contribute to and strengthen your connection with your community.
Financial Wellbeing is not only having economic security, it also involves effectively managing your fiscal life. Try to establish automated payments and savings practices that lessen your daily worries about money and focus on buying experiences with others (like a manicure or a trip to get Bubble Tea or paint your own pottery) rather than material possessions or simply accumulating wealth.
Career Wellbeing for adolescents generally involves using your assets and strengths (like generosity, curiosity or enthusiasm) and trying to do something you enjoy every day. Identify someone who encourages you to grow and spend more time with him or her. Write down your future goals, which will not only help you to stay focused on what really matters, but also will put your day-to-day problems in perspective.
Wellbeing is a skill that can be developed and improved. Finding something you love to do that benefits society, investing time in your relationships with the people you care about, and adopting a lifestyle that provides the health and energy you need to tackle your life are all within your control. Talk to your friends, seek support from your family when you need it, eat satisfying meals and do something restorative (art, reading, meditating, etc.) every day. Your mental health depends upon it! #emotionalwellbeing