benefits of health and wellness essay

Essay on Health and Wellness – 10 Lines, 500 & 1000 Words

Essay on Health and Wellness in English: Explore the realms of holistic well-being with our essay on health and wellness. Delve into the importance of physical and mental health, lifestyle choices, preventive measures, and the transformative impact of a balanced approach to overall wellness.

Uncover valuable insights into cultivating healthy habits, the role of nutrition, exercise, and mindfulness in fostering a robust lifestyle. This essay navigates through the dimensions of health, offering a comprehensive guide to achieving and maintaining a state of well-being in the fast-paced modern world.

Short Essay on Health and Wellness in English - 100 Words

Table of Contents

Essay on Health and Wellness in 10 Lines

Discover the keys to holistic well-being in this essay on health and wellness, exploring physical and mental health, lifestyle choices, and the transformative impact of balanced living.

Health and wellness encompass physical, mental, and social well-being.
A holistic approach involves balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and mental fitness.
Lifestyle choices significantly impact overall health.
Prevention is crucial; regular check-ups and vaccinations are essential.
Adequate sleep and stress management contribute to well-being.
Nutrition plays a pivotal role in maintaining health and preventing diseases.
Regular exercise boosts physical and mental fitness.
Mental health awareness is vital for a comprehensive wellness plan.
Mindfulness practices enhance overall well-being and stress resilience.
Striking a balance in work, relationships, and leisure is key to a healthy and fulfilling life.

Also See – Essay on Mental Health Awareness – 10 Lines, 100, 500, 1000 Words

Short Essay on Health and Wellness in English

Explore the essentials of a healthy life in this concise essay on health and wellness, covering physical fitness, mental well-being, and lifestyle choices.

Health and wellness are paramount for a fulfilling life. A balanced approach, encompassing physical and mental well-being, is crucial. Regular exercise, a nutritious diet, and adequate sleep form the foundation.

Preventive healthcare, including routine check-ups, adds an extra layer of protection. Mental health awareness and stress management contribute significantly to overall wellness.

Cultivating mindfulness and positive habits enhances the quality of life. Striking a balance in work, relationships, and leisure time is key. Embracing a holistic perspective on health empowers individuals to lead vibrant and fulfilling lives.

Essay on Health and Wellness in 500 Words

Delve into the comprehensive exploration of health and wellness in this 500-word essay, covering physical fitness, mental well-being, lifestyle choices, preventive measures, and the holistic approach to achieving and maintaining optimal health.

Health and wellness are paramount in fostering a wholesome and fulfilling life. Physical well-being forms the foundation of a healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise, encompassing activities such as cardiovascular workouts, strength training, and flexibility exercises, not only promotes fitness but also releases endorphins, contributing to an elevated mood.

Adequate sleep, often underestimated, plays a crucial role in the body’s rejuvenation and overall health. Nutrition, another cornerstone, is the fuel for the body and mind. A balanced diet, rich in essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, supports optimal functioning and contributes to overall well-being.

However, health is not solely confined to physical aspects; mental well-being is equally vital. In the fast-paced world we inhabit, stress, anxiety, and depression are prevalent challenges. Addressing mental health involves adopting strategies for coping and resilience. Practices like mindfulness meditation, yoga, and therapy contribute significantly to mental wellness, fostering a positive mindset and emotional stability.

Lifestyle choices play a pivotal role in either building or undermining health. Habits such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and a sedentary lifestyle can have detrimental effects. Understanding the impact of these choices is crucial for fostering long-term health. By making informed decisions and adopting healthy habits, individuals empower themselves to take charge of their well-being.

Preventive healthcare emerges as a crucial component in the pursuit of long-term health. Regular health check-ups, screenings, and vaccinations serve as proactive measures against potential health issues. Early detection of conditions allows for timely intervention, increasing the chances of successful treatment. Embracing preventive healthcare practices is an investment in long-term well-being.

Social well-being completes the holistic picture of health and wellness. Relationships and social connections significantly impact emotional resilience. Building and maintaining healthy relationships, whether with family, friends, or colleagues, fosters a positive environment that nurtures overall well-being. The power of connection extends beyond the individual, contributing to a sense of belonging and support.

A holistic approach to health and wellness integrates these various dimensions into a cohesive and sustainable lifestyle. It recognizes the interconnectedness of physical, mental, and social well-being. Striking a balance between work and personal life, cultivating hobbies, and taking time for leisure are integral components of this holistic perspective. By adopting a comprehensive view of health, individuals can embark on a journey toward a more fulfilling and balanced existence.

In conclusion, health and wellness are not isolated concepts but rather intertwined elements that define the quality of our lives. By prioritizing physical fitness, mental health, making informed lifestyle choices, embracing preventive measures, and nurturing social connections, individuals can unlock the full potential of health and wellness. This holistic approach creates a foundation for a vibrant and meaningful life, promoting not only longevity but also a higher quality of life.

Essay on Health and Wellness 1000 Words in English

Embark on a comprehensive exploration of holistic well-being in this 1000-word essay on health and wellness, covering physical fitness, mental well-being, lifestyle choices, preventive healthcare, and the interconnected aspects shaping a fulfilling life.

Health and Wellness: Nurturing a Holistic Approach to Well-Being

Health and wellness encompass physical, mental, and social well-being, constituting the foundation of a fulfilling life. This essay explores the multidimensional aspects of health, the significance of a holistic approach, and the strategies for achieving overall well-being.

Introduction

Health and wellness are integral components of a balanced and satisfying life. Physical health involves the proper functioning of the body, mental health pertains to emotional well-being, and social health encompasses interpersonal relationships and community engagement.

Physical Health

Physical health is the cornerstone of overall well-being. It involves regular exercise, a balanced diet, and sufficient rest. Exercise not only contributes to physical fitness but also releases endorphins, promoting mental well-being. A nutritious diet provides essential nutrients for optimal bodily functions, while adequate rest allows for recovery and rejuvenation.

Mental Health

Mental health is equally crucial, influencing thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Strategies for maintaining mental well-being include stress management, mindfulness practices, and seeking professional support when needed. Creating a positive mindset, practicing gratitude, and engaging in activities that bring joy contribute to mental resilience.

Social Health

Social health revolves around meaningful connections and community engagement. Building strong interpersonal relationships fosters a support system, reducing feelings of isolation. Participation in community activities enhances a sense of belonging and purpose, vital elements for overall well-being.

Holistic Approach

A holistic approach recognizes the interconnectedness of physical, mental, and social well-being. It involves aligning lifestyle choices with health goals, emphasizing preventive measures, and addressing the root causes of health issues. A holistic perspective also considers environmental factors, emphasizing the impact of a balanced and sustainable lifestyle on individual well-being.

Significance of a Holistic Approach

Preventive Health Measures: A holistic approach prioritizes preventive measures, reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Regular health check-ups, vaccinations, and lifestyle adjustments contribute to long-term well-being.
Enhanced Quality of Life: By addressing all dimensions of health, individuals experience an enhanced quality of life. Physical vitality, mental resilience, and fulfilling relationships collectively contribute to a sense of fulfillment.
Improved Mental Resilience: A holistic approach to well-being includes practices that enhance mental resilience, such as mindfulness, meditation, and seeking therapy when needed. These strategies contribute to coping with life’s challenges more effectively.
Balanced Lifestyle Choices: Holistic well-being encourages balanced lifestyle choices, encompassing nutrition, exercise, and mental and emotional balance. This comprehensive approach minimizes the risk of burnout and promotes sustainable habits.

Strategies for Achieving Well-Being

Regular Exercise: Engaging in regular physical activity supports cardiovascular health, boosts mood, and enhances overall well-being. Activities like walking, jogging, or yoga contribute to a balanced exercise routine.
Nutrient-Rich Diet: Consuming a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins provides essential nutrients for physical health and vitality.
Mindfulness and Stress Management: Practices such as mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, and yoga contribute to stress management and mental well-being.
Social Connections: Nurturing meaningful relationships and staying socially connected is vital for emotional support and a sense of belonging.
Work-Life Balance: Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial. Prioritizing leisure activities, spending time with loved ones, and taking breaks contribute to overall well-being.

Health and wellness go beyond the absence of illness; they encompass a dynamic state of physical, mental, and social well-being. A holistic approach, incorporating preventive measures, balanced lifestyle choices, and mental resilience strategies, is essential for achieving overall well-being. By recognizing the interconnectedness of these dimensions, individuals can cultivate a fulfilling and sustainable approach to health, contributing to a vibrant and purposeful life.

This essay illuminates the intricate tapestry of health and wellness, emphasizing the symbiotic relationship between physical fitness, mental well-being, lifestyle choices, preventive healthcare, and social connections.

By adopting a holistic perspective, individuals can navigate a path toward a more fulfilling and balanced existence. The integration of these dimensions not only promotes longevity but also enriches the overall quality of life, painting a portrait of well-being that transcends the confines of individual practices to create a vibrant and harmonious life.

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103 Wellness Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

Wellness is a key aspect of overall health and happiness. Taking care of our physical, mental, and emotional well-being is essential for living a fulfilling and balanced life. However, finding the right wellness topics to write about can sometimes be a challenge. To help you out, here are 103 wellness essay topic ideas and examples to inspire you:

Physical Wellness:

The benefits of regular exercise for physical health
How to create a personalized workout routine
The importance of proper nutrition for overall wellness
Tips for maintaining a healthy weight
The impact of sleep on physical health
The benefits of practicing yoga for physical wellness
How to reduce stress through physical activity
The connection between physical wellness and mental health
The role of hydration in overall well-being
The benefits of outdoor activities for physical wellness

Mental Wellness:

The importance of mental health awareness
How to practice mindfulness for improved mental wellness
Tips for managing stress and anxiety
The benefits of therapy for mental health
The impact of social media on mental well-being
How to build resilience and cope with challenges
The connection between mental wellness and physical health
The benefits of practicing gratitude for mental well-being
Tips for improving self-esteem and self-confidence
The role of creativity in mental wellness

Emotional Wellness:

The importance of emotional intelligence for overall wellness
How to cultivate emotional resilience
Tips for managing emotions in a healthy way
The benefits of practicing self-care for emotional well-being
The impact of relationships on emotional wellness
How to set boundaries for emotional wellness
The connection between emotional wellness and mental health
The role of mindfulness in emotional well-being
Tips for processing and expressing emotions effectively
The benefits of journaling for emotional wellness

Social Wellness:

The importance of building and maintaining healthy relationships
How to cultivate a supportive social network
The impact of social media on social wellness
Tips for setting boundaries in relationships
The benefits of volunteering for social wellness
The connection between social wellness and mental health
The role of communication in healthy relationships
Tips for resolving conflicts in a constructive way
The benefits of community involvement for social wellness
The importance of belonging and connection for overall well-being

Spiritual Wellness:

The importance of finding meaning and purpose in life
How to cultivate a sense of spirituality for overall wellness
Tips for practicing meditation and mindfulness
The benefits of connecting with nature for spiritual wellness
The impact of faith and religion on spiritual well-being
How to cultivate gratitude and compassion
The connection between spiritual wellness and mental health
The role of forgiveness in spiritual well-being
Tips for living in alignment with your values and beliefs
The benefits of practicing self-reflection and introspection

Environmental Wellness:

The importance of environmental awareness for overall well-being
How to reduce your carbon footprint for environmental wellness
Tips for living a more sustainable lifestyle
The benefits of spending time in nature for environmental wellness
The impact of pollution on environmental wellness
How to support environmental conservation efforts
The connection between environmental wellness and physical health
The role of mindfulness in environmental wellness
Tips for creating a healthy and toxin-free environment
The benefits of practicing eco-friendly habits for environmental wellness

Financial Wellness:

The importance of financial literacy for overall well-being
How to create a budget and manage your finances
Tips for saving money and building financial security
The benefits of investing in your future for financial wellness
The impact of debt on financial wellness
How to cultivate a healthy relationship with money
The connection between financial wellness and mental health
The role of financial goals in overall well-being
Tips for navigating financial challenges and setbacks
The benefits of financial planning for long-term well-being

Occupational Wellness:

The importance of finding work-life balance
How to cultivate a sense of purpose and fulfillment in your career
Tips for managing stress in the workplace
The benefits of pursuing a career that aligns with your values
The impact of job satisfaction on overall well-being
How to set boundaries and prioritize self-care at work
The connection between occupational wellness and mental health
The role of professional development in career growth
Tips for navigating career transitions and changes
The benefits of work-life integration for occupational wellness

Intellectual Wellness:

The importance of lifelong learning for overall well-being
How to cultivate intellectual curiosity and growth
Tips for expanding your knowledge and skills
The benefits of engaging in stimulating activities for intellectual wellness
The impact of technology on intellectual wellness
How to stay mentally sharp and cognitively engaged
The connection between intellectual wellness and mental health
The role of critical thinking and problem-solving in intellectual well-being
Tips for staying open-minded and receptive to new ideas
The benefits of intellectual challenges and intellectual wellness

Cultural Wellness:

The importance of diversity and inclusivity for overall well-being
How to cultivate cultural awareness and sensitivity
Tips for engaging with different cultures and perspectives
The benefits of celebrating diversity for cultural wellness
The impact of prejudice and discrimination on cultural wellness
How to foster a sense of belonging and community
The connection between cultural wellness and mental health
The role of cultural traditions and heritage in cultural well-being
Tips for promoting cultural understanding and harmony
The benefits of multiculturalism and cultural wellness

Overall Wellness:

The importance of holistic wellness for a balanced life
How to create a personalized wellness plan
Tips for integrating different aspects of wellness into your daily routine

In conclusion, wellness encompasses a wide range of topics that are interconnected and essential for living a healthy and fulfilling life. Whether you choose to focus on physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual, environmental, financial, occupational, intellectual, or cultural wellness, there are countless opportunities to explore and write about. So, pick a topic that resonates with you and start writing to inspire and empower others on their wellness journey.

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Why You Should Take Care of Your Body and Health

Why It Matters
Eat a Balanced Diet

Make Sleep a Priority

Stay Active
Avoid Harmful Substances
Manage Your Stress

Taking care of your physical body is good for your mental health. The mind and body interact and influence one another in complex ways. Physical illness can make managing your mental well-being more difficult. Stress, lack of energy, poor sleep, and other problems can also take a toll on how you feel mentally.

This article discusses why you should take care of your body and how it can support your mental health. It also explores what you can do to take better care of yourself.

Why Taking Care of Your Body is Good for Mental Health

There are a number of reasons why taking care of your body is good for your mental health:

Health problems affect functioning : Health problems, even minor ones, can interfere with or even overshadow other aspects of your life. Even relatively minor health issues such as aches, pains, lethargy, and indigestion take a toll on your happiness and stress levels.
Poor health habits can add stress to your life : They also play a role in how well you are able to cope with stress. The stress that comes from poor health is significant.
Poor health interferes with daily living : Health challenges also affect other areas of your life. Health problems can make daily tasks more challenging, create financial stress, and even jeopardize your ability to earn a living.
Stress can worsen health : Stress itself can exacerbate health issues from the common cold to more serious conditions and diseases, so maintaining healthy habits can pay off in the long run. This article looks at some healthy habits that have a positive impact on your life.

One way to improve your ability to cope with stress and feel better is to make a commitment to healthier habits .

Press Play for Advice On Creating Good Habits

This episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast , featuring Katy Milkman, PhD, shares how to build healthy habits to create lasting change. Click below to listen now.

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Eat a Balanced Diet for the Right Reasons

Rather than eating right solely for the promise of looking better in your jeans, you should also make a commitment to eating foods that will boost your energy levels and keep your system running smoothly. This is because what you eat can not only impact your short-term and long-term health, it can affect your stress levels.

It's much harder to cope with stress if you are hungry or malnourished. Hunger can make you more emotionally reactive to stressors, leaving you irritable or even angry in the face of minor daily annoyances. Watching what you eat can be a stress management tool as well as a health preserver.

Another reason it's a good idea to maintain a healthy diet is that your diet can have an effect on your mood.

While the effects of an unhealthy diet are cumulative and become more apparent in the long-term, you are also less likely to feel well in the short-term if you are eating a diet heavy on sugar-laden, fatty, or nutritionally empty foods.

Some of the more immediate effects poor diet include feeling:

Eating well has important long-term consequences, but it may also help you feel more energetic and optimistic in the short-term as well.

Stay Motivated

If you remind yourself that what you eat now will affect how you feel in the coming hours, it may be easier to stick to a healthy diet.

Sleep can have a serious impact on your overall health and well-being. Poor sleep can take a toll on mental health and contribute to problems including anxiety, depression, mood changes, and behavior changes.

Make a commitment to get enough sleep at night. If you haven't gotten adequate sleep, you may be less productive, less mentally sharp, and otherwise more prone to the effects of stress.

Some good habits that can help:

Try to get a full eight hours of sleep each night
Avoid caffeine after 2 pm
Avoid eating foods in the evening that might disrupt your sleep
Go to bed at the same time each night; wake up at the same time each morning
Create a restful sleep environment; make sure your bed is comfortable and keep the room at an optimal temperature for sleeping (between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit)
Adopt a calming technique such as meditation to help yourself relax each night before bed

You may be surprised by how much less stressed you feel when you're not tired. Following good strategies can help if you have trouble getting quality sleep when stressed . Not only will you sleep better, but you’ll feel better all day.

Find a Fitness Habit That Works for You

We've all heard the advice to eat right and exercise. However, it can be difficult to fit in workouts around a busy schedule, particularly when you're feeling exhausted from stress.

Make It a Habit

One effective strategy for making fitness a regular part of your life is to build an exercise habit around your other habits—either attach a workout to your morning routine, or your lunchtime habits, or make it a regular part of your evening.

If you make a morning jog part of your getting-ready-for-work routine, for example, it is much more likely to happen than if you wait until you feel like jogging and happen to have a free half-hour, especially if you lead a busy life like most of us and are tired at the end of the day.

Do Something You Enjoy

Another important way to make exercise easier is to choose an activity that you actually enjoy. Some examples include walking while listening to an audiobook or attending a class at your gym where good music drives up your energy level. Finding an activity that you enjoy means that you are more likely to stick with it.

Find a form of exercise that you'd like to do and then find a time when you can make it work with your schedule.

Watch What You Put Into Your Body

Avoid putting unhealthy substances into your body; nicotine, excess alcohol, and even excessive caffeine can take a toll on your health in the long run, but also make you feel lousy overall in your day-to-day life.

In addition to watching what you put into your body, it also helps if you can avoid allowing toxic thinking patterns from exacerbating your stress levels as well. Find healthier ways to manage stress, and you'll enjoy double health and stress management benefits .

Find Ways to Manage Your Stress

Stress is an inevitable part of life, but it can take a serious toll on your mind and body if it gets out of hand. Excessive stress is linked to a number of serious health ailments, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and ulcers.

Stress management strategies that can help include:

Practicing mindfulness : Mindfulness is an approach that involves focusing more on the here and now instead of fretting over the past or future. It can help increase your self-awareness and improve your ability to handle the daily challenges life throws your way.
Utilize stress management techniques : Incorporate a variety of stress management tactics into your life, such as deep breathing, guided imagery, and positive self-talk. Making these a habit can help you combat stress in the short-term, as well as later down the road.
Eat a balanced diet : A poor diet can exacerbate the negative effects of stress. Instead of reaching for high-sugar snacks or fast food meals, focused on following a balanced diet that incorporates fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and complex carbohydrates.

Finding ways to manage your stress effectively can minimize the negative impact on your health. It can also be beneficial for your emotional health and reduce your risk of burnout, anxiety, and depression.

A Word From Verywell

These are three important ways to take care of your body that you may not naturally think of as stress relievers. If you set goals to make these ideas a reality in your life, not only will you feel the difference immediately, but you will also see results in multiple areas of your life in the coming weeks and months. Few habits come without effort, but these three can make a significant impact on your life, and are well worth the effort.

Yaribeygi H, Panahi Y, Sahraei H, Johnston TP, Sahebkar A. The impact of stress on body function: A review . EXCLI J . 2017;16:1057–1072. doi:10.17179/excli2017-480

Yau YH, Potenza MN. Stress and eating behaviors . Minerva Endocrinol . 2013;38(3):255–267.

Owen L, Corfe B. The role of diet and nutrition on mental health and wellbeing . Proc Nutr Soc . 2017;76(4):425-426. doi:10.1017/S0029665117001057

Breymeyer KL, Lampe JW, McGregor BA, Neuhouser ML. Subjective mood and energy levels of healthy weight and overweight/obese healthy adults on high-and low-glycemic load experimental diets . Appetite . 2016;107:253–259. doi:10.1016/j.appet.2016.08.008

Choi DW, Chun SY, Lee SA, Han KT, Park EC. Association between sleep duration and perceived stress: salaried worker in circumstances of high workload . Int J Environ Res Public Health . 2018;15(4):796. doi:10.3390/ijerph15040796

Gardner B, Lally P, Wardle J. Making health habitual: the psychology of 'habit-formation' and general practice . Br J Gen Pract . 2012;62(605):664–666. doi:10.3399/bjgp12X659466

Rood L, Roelofs J, Bögels SM, Alloy LB. Dimensions of negative thinking and the relations with symptoms of depression and anxiety in children and adolescents . Cognit Ther Res . 2010;34(4):333–342. doi:10.1007/s10608-009-9261-y

Kriakous SA, Elliott KA, Lamers C, Owen R. The effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction on the psychological functioning of healthcare professionals: a systematic review . Mindfulness (N Y) . 2021;12(1):1-28. doi:10.1007/s12671-020-01500-9

Nguyen-rodriguez ST, Unger JB, Spruijt-metz D. Psychological determinants of emotional eating in adolescence. Eat Disord . 2009;17(3):211-24. doi:10.1080/10640260902848543

By Elizabeth Scott, PhD Elizabeth Scott, PhD is an author, workshop leader, educator, and award-winning blogger on stress management, positive psychology, relationships, and emotional wellbeing.

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Essay on Health and Wellness

What is the difference between health and wellness?

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What is health

What is wellness.

It is a conscious, self-directed, and evolving process to reach your full potential.
It is multidimensional and holistic, encompassing lifestyle, mental and spiritual well-being, and the environment.

Relationship between health and well-being

Difference between health and wellness.

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Essay on Health And Wellness

Students are often asked to write an essay on Health And Wellness in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Health And Wellness

Understanding health and wellness.

Health and wellness are two key parts of a happy life. Health means not being sick. It is when your body works as it should. Wellness is about more than just physical health. It is about feeling good in your mind and soul too.

The Importance of Good Health

Good health helps us live a full life. It allows us to do things we enjoy and to work well. It also helps us learn and grow. Without good health, it can be hard to do these things. So, it’s very important to take care of our health.

Healthy Eating

Eating healthy food is a big part of staying healthy. Foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains help our bodies stay strong. They give us energy and help us grow. Eating too much junk food can make us feel tired and sick.

Exercise and Health

Exercise is another important part of staying healthy. It keeps our bodies strong and helps our hearts work well. It can also make us feel happy. Even simple things like walking or playing a game can be good exercise.

Wellness and Happiness

Health and wellness are very important. They help us live a full and happy life. By eating healthy, exercising, and taking care of our minds and souls, we can stay healthy and well.

Also check:

250 Words Essay on Health And Wellness

What is health and wellness.

Health and wellness are two key parts of a happy life. Health means your body is working well. You don’t have any sickness and you feel good. Wellness means you have a positive attitude and you take good care of your body and mind.

Importance of Health and Wellness

Health and wellness are very important. If you are healthy and well, you can do all the things you love. You can play, learn, and have fun. It also means you can help others and be a good friend.

Ways to Achieve Health and Wellness

To be healthy and well, you need to eat good food. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are good for your body. You should also drink lots of water. Exercise is also important. Playing sports, dancing, or just running around can make your body strong.

Challenges in Maintaining Health and Wellness

Sometimes it can be hard to stay healthy and well. You might get sick, or feel sad or stressed. This is normal and it’s okay to ask for help. You can talk to a trusted adult, like a parent or teacher, who can help you feel better.

In conclusion, health and wellness are very important for a happy and full life. By taking care of your body and mind, you can be the best you can be.

500 Words Essay on Health And Wellness

The importance of health.

Being healthy is very important. When our bodies are healthy, we can do all the things we want to do. We can play, study, and spend time with our friends. We can run fast, jump high, and think clearly. We can feel good and have fun.

The Importance of Wellness

Wellness is just as important as health. It’s about feeling good on the inside. It’s about being happy and at peace with ourselves. It’s about having a positive attitude and enjoying life. When we are well, we are more likely to make healthy choices. We are more likely to eat healthy foods, get enough sleep, and stay active.

How to Achieve Health and Wellness

Eating healthy.

One of the most important things we can do for our health is to eat healthy foods. This means eating lots of fruits and vegetables. It also means eating lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats. It means avoiding junk food and sugary drinks as much as possible.

Staying Active

Another important thing we can do for our health is to stay active. This means moving our bodies as much as possible. It could be playing a sport, going for a walk, or doing yoga. It could even be dancing in our living room. The important thing is to move and have fun.

Getting Enough Sleep

Sleep is also very important for our health and wellness. When we sleep, our bodies rest and recharge. This helps us feel good and stay healthy. It’s important to get enough sleep every night.

Being Positive

Finally, being positive is a big part of wellness. This means thinking happy thoughts and having a good attitude. It means being kind to ourselves and others. It means being grateful for what we have and looking for the good in every situation.

In conclusion, health and wellness are both very important. They help us live happy, healthy lives. By eating healthy, staying active, getting enough sleep, and being positive, we can achieve both health and wellness. It might take some work, but it’s worth it. Because when we are healthy and well, we can do anything.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

The Comprehensive Benefits of Exercise: a Path to Health and Wellness

Categories: Healthy Lifestyle Physical Exercise

About this sample

Words: 603 |

Published: Sep 7, 2023

Words: 603 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

Chapter 1: physical benefits of exercise, chapter 2: mental benefits of exercise, conclusion: embracing the benefits of exercise, 1. improved cardiovascular health, 2. increased muscle strength, 3. improved flexibility, 4. reduced risk of chronic diseases, 1. enhanced cognitive function, 2. improved mood and mental health, 3. stress reduction, 4. enhanced sleep quality.

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Six Ways Happiness Is Good for Your Health

Over the past decade, an entire industry has sprouted up promising the secrets to happiness. There are best-selling books like The Happiness Project and The How of Happiness , and happiness programs like Happify and Tal-Ben Shahar’s Wholebeing Institute .

Here at the Greater Good Science Center, we offer an online course on “The Science of Happiness” and boast a collection of research-based happiness practices on our new website, Greater Good in Action .

But all of these books and classes raise the question: Why bother? Many of us might prefer to focus on boosting our productivity and success rather than our positive emotions. Or perhaps we’ve tried to get happier but always seem to get leveled by setbacks. Why keep trying?

Recently, a critical mass of research has provided what might be the most basic and irrefutable argument in favor of happiness: Happiness and good health go hand-in-hand. Indeed, scientific studies have been finding that happiness can make our hearts healthier, our immune systems stronger, and our lives longer.

Several of the studies cited below suggest that happiness causes better health; others suggest only that the two are correlated—perhaps good health causes happiness but not the other way around. Happiness and health may indeed be a virtuous circle, but researchers are still trying to untangle their relationship. In the meantime, if you need some extra motivation to get happier , check out these six ways that happiness has been linked to good health.

1. Happiness protects your heart

Love and happiness may not actually originate in the heart, but they are good for it. For example, a 2005 paper found that happiness predicts lower heart rate and blood pressure. In the study, participants rated their happiness over 30 times in one day and then again three years later. The initially happiest participants had a lower heart rate on follow-up (about six beats slower per minute), and the happiest participants during the follow-up had better blood pressure.

Research has also uncovered a link between happiness and another measure of heart health: heart rate variability, which refers to the time interval between heartbeats and is associated with risk for various diseases. In a 2008 study , researchers monitored 76 patients suspected to have coronary artery disease. Was happiness linked to healthier hearts even among people who might have heart problems? It seemed so: The participants who rated themselves as happiest on the day their hearts were tested had a healthier pattern of heart rate variability on that day.

Over time, these effects can add up to serious differences in heart health. In a 2010 study , researchers invited nearly 2,000 Canadians into the lab to talk about their anger and stress at work. Observers rated them on a scale of one to five for the extent to which they expressed positive emotions like joy, happiness, excitement, enthusiasm, and contentment. Ten years later, the researchers checked in with the participants to see how they were doing—and it turned out that the happier ones were less likely to have developed coronary heart disease. In fact, for each one-point increase in positive emotions they had expressed, their heart disease risk was 22 percent lower.

2. Happiness strengthens your immune system

Do you know a grumpy person who always seems to be getting sick? That may be no coincidence: Research is now finding a link between happiness and a stronger immune system.

In a 2003 experiment , 350 adults volunteered to get exposed to the common cold (don’t worry, they were well-compensated). Before exposure, researchers called them six times in two weeks and asked how much they had experienced nine positive emotions—such as feeling energetic, pleased, and calm—that day. After five days in quarantine, the participants with the most positive emotions were less likely to have developed a cold.

Some of the same researchers wanted to investigate why happier people might be less susceptible to sickness, so in a 2006 study they gave 81 graduate students the hepatitis B vaccine. After receiving the first two doses, participants rated themselves on those same nine positive emotions. The ones who were high in positive emotion were nearly twice as likely to have a high antibody response to the vaccine—a sign of a robust immune system. Instead of merely affecting symptoms, happiness seemed to be literally working on a cellular level.

A much earlier experiment found that immune system activity in the same individual goes up and down depending on their happiness. For two months, 30 male dental students took pills containing a harmless blood protein from rabbits, which causes an immune response in humans. They also rated whether they had experienced various positive moods that day. On days when they were happier, participants had a better immune response, as measured by the presence of an antibody in their saliva that defends against foreign substances.

3. Happiness combats stress

Stress is not only upsetting on a psychological level but also triggers biological changes in our hormones and blood pressure. Happiness seems to temper these effects, or at least help us recover more quickly.

In the study mentioned above, where participants rated their happiness more than 30 times in a day, researchers also found associations between happiness and stress. The happiest participants had 23 percent lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol than the least happy, and another indicator of stress—the level of a blood-clotting protein that increases after stress—was 12 times lower.

Happiness also seems to carry benefits even when stress is inevitable. In a 2009 study , some diabolically cruel researchers decided to stress out psychology students and see how they reacted. The students were led to a soundproof chamber, where they first answered questions indicating whether they generally felt 10 feelings like enthusiasm or pride. Then came their worst nightmare: They had to answer an exceedingly difficult statistics question while being videotaped, and they were told that their professor would evaluate their response. Throughout the process, their heart was measured with an electrocardiogram (EKG) machine and a blood pressure monitor. In the wake of such stress, the hearts of the happiest students recovered most quickly.

4. Happy people have fewer aches and pains

Unhappiness can be painful—literally.

A 2001 study asked participants to rate their recent experience of positive emotions, then (five weeks later) how much they had experienced negative symptoms like muscle strain, dizziness, and heartburn since the study began. People who reported the highest levels of positive emotion at the beginning actually became healthier over the course of the study, and ended up healthier than their unhappy counterparts. The fact that their health improved over five weeks (and the health of the unhappiest participants declined) suggests that the results aren’t merely evidence of people in a good mood giving rosier ratings of their health than people in a bad mood.

A 2005 study suggests that positive emotion also mitigates pain in the context of disease. Women with arthritis and chronic pain rated themselves weekly on positive emotions like interest, enthusiasm, and inspiration for about three months. Over the course of the study, those with higher ratings overall were less likely to experience increases in pain.

5. Happiness combats disease and disability

Happiness is associated with improvements in more severe, long-term conditions as well, not just shorter-term aches and pains.

In a 2008 study of nearly 10,000 Australians, participants who reported being happy and satisfied with life most or all of the time were about 1.5 times less likely to have long-term health conditions (like chronic pain and serious vision problems) two years later. Another study in the same year found that women with breast cancer recalled being less happy and optimistic before their diagnosis than women without breast cancer, suggesting that happiness and optimism may be protective against the disease.

As adults become elderly, another condition that often afflicts them is frailty, which is characterized by impaired strength, endurance, and balance and puts them at risk of disability and death. In a 2004 study, over 1,550 Mexican Americans ages 65 and older rated how much self-esteem, hope, happiness, and enjoyment they felt over the past week. After seven years, the participants with more positive emotion ratings were less likely to be frail. Some of the same researchers also found that happier elderly people (by the same measure of positive emotion) were less likely to have a stroke in the subsequent six years; this was particularly true for men.

6. Happiness lengthens our lives

In the end, the ultimate health indicator might be longevity—and here, especially, happiness comes into play. In perhaps the most famous study of happiness and longevity, the life expectancy of Catholic nuns was linked to the amount of positive emotion they expressed in an autobiographical essay they wrote upon entering their convent decades earlier, typically in their 20s. Researchers combed through these writing samples for expressions of feelings like amusement, contentment, gratitude, and love. In the end, the happiest-seeming nuns lived a whopping 7-10 years longer than the least happy.

You don’t have to be a nun to experience the life-extending benefits of happiness, though. In a 2011 study , almost 4,000 English adults ages 52-79 reported how happy, excited, and content they were multiple times in a single day. Here, happier people were 35 percent less likely to die over the course of about five years than their unhappier counterparts.

These two studies both measured specific positive emotions, but overall satisfaction with one’s life—another major indicator of happiness—is also linked to longevity. A 2010 study followed almost 7,000 people from California’s Alameda County for nearly three decades, finding that the people who were more satisfied with life at the beginning were less likely to die during the course of the study.

While happiness can lengthen our lives, it can’t perform miracles. There’s some evidence that the link between happiness and longevity doesn’t extend to the ill —or at least not to the very ill.

A 2005 meta-analysis , aggregating the results of other studies on health and happiness, speculates that experiencing positive emotion is helpful in diseases with a long timeline but could actually be harmful in late-stage disease. The authors cite studies showing that positive emotion lowers the risk of death in people with diabetes and AIDS , but actually increases the risk in people with metastatic breast cancer , early-stage melanoma , and end-stage kidney disease . That increased risk might be due to the fact that happier people underreport their symptoms and don’t get the right treatment, or take worse care of themselves because they are overly optimistic.

More on Happiness

Explore the relationship between meaning & happiness

Discover the secret to a happy life .

Read Rick Hanson's "How to Trick Your Brain for Happiness."

Listen to Sonja Lyubomirsky on the myths of happiness .

Discover a better way to pursue happiness .

As the science of happiness and health matures, researchers are trying to determine what role, if any, happiness actually plays in causing health benefits. They’re also trying to distinguish the effects of different forms of happiness (including positive emotions and life satisfaction), the effects of “extreme” happiness, and other factors. For example, a new study suggests that we should look not just at life satisfaction levels but life satisfaction variability : Researchers found that low life satisfaction with lots of fluctuations—i.e., an unstable level of happiness—was linked to even earlier death than low life satisfaction alone.

All that said, the study of the health benefits of happiness is still young. It will take time to figure out the exact mechanisms by which happiness influences health, and how factors like social relationships and exercise fit in. But in the meantime, it seems safe to imagine that a happier you will be healthier, too.

About the Author

Kira M. Newman

Kira M. Newman is the managing editor of Greater Good . Her work has been published in outlets including the Washington Post , Mindful magazine, Social Media Monthly , and Tech.co, and she is the co-editor of The Gratitude Project . Follow her on Twitter!

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Physical Activity Is Good for the Mind and the Body

Health and Well-Being Matter is the monthly blog of the Director of the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.

Everyone has their own way to “recharge” their sense of well-being — something that makes them feel good physically, emotionally, and spiritually even if they aren’t consciously aware of it. Personally, I know that few things can improve my day as quickly as a walk around the block or even just getting up from my desk and doing some push-ups. A hike through the woods is ideal when I can make it happen. But that’s me. It’s not simply that I enjoy these activities but also that they literally make me feel better and clear my mind.

Mental health and physical health are closely connected. No kidding — what’s good for the body is often good for the mind. Knowing what you can do physically that has this effect for you will change your day and your life.

Physical activity has many well-established mental health benefits. These are published in the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans and include improved brain health and cognitive function (the ability to think, if you will), a reduced risk of anxiety and depression, and improved sleep and overall quality of life. Although not a cure-all, increasing physical activity directly contributes to improved mental health and better overall health and well-being.

Learning how to routinely manage stress and getting screened for depression are simply good prevention practices. Awareness is especially critical at this time of year when disruptions to healthy habits and choices can be more likely and more jarring. Shorter days and colder temperatures have a way of interrupting routines — as do the holidays, with both their joys and their stresses. When the plentiful sunshine and clear skies of temperate months give way to unpredictable weather, less daylight, and festive gatherings, it may happen unconsciously or seem natural to be distracted from being as physically active. However, that tendency is precisely why it’s so important that we are ever more mindful of our physical and emotional health — and how we can maintain both — during this time of year.

Roughly half of all people in the United States will be diagnosed with a mental health disorder at some point in their lifetime, with anxiety and anxiety disorders being the most common. Major depression, another of the most common mental health disorders, is also a leading cause of disability for middle-aged adults. Compounding all of this, mental health disorders like depression and anxiety can affect people’s ability to take part in health-promoting behaviors, including physical activity. In addition, physical health problems can contribute to mental health problems and make it harder for people to get treatment for mental health disorders.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the need to take care of our physical and emotional health to light even more so these past 2 years. Recently, the U.S. Surgeon General highlighted how the pandemic has exacerbated the mental health crisis in youth .

The good news is that even small amounts of physical activity can immediately reduce symptoms of anxiety in adults and older adults. Depression has also shown to be responsive to physical activity. Research suggests that increased physical activity, of any kind, can improve depression symptoms experienced by people across the lifespan. Engaging in regular physical activity has also been shown to reduce the risk of developing depression in children and adults.

Though the seasons and our life circumstances may change, our basic needs do not. Just as we shift from shorts to coats or fresh summer fruits and vegetables to heartier fall food choices, so too must we shift our seasonal approach to how we stay physically active. Some of that is simply adapting to conditions: bundling up for a walk, wearing the appropriate shoes, or playing in the snow with the kids instead of playing soccer in the grass.

Sometimes there’s a bit more creativity involved. Often this means finding ways to simplify activity or make it more accessible. For example, it may not be possible to get to the gym or even take a walk due to weather or any number of reasons. In those instances, other options include adding new types of movement — such as impromptu dance parties at home — or doing a few household chores (yes, it all counts as physical activity).

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I built a makeshift gym in my garage as an alternative to driving back and forth to the gym several miles from home. That has not only saved me time and money but also afforded me the opportunity to get 15 to 45 minutes of muscle-strengthening physical activity in at odd times of the day.

For more ideas on how to get active — on any day — or for help finding the motivation to get started, check out this Move Your Way® video .

The point to remember is that no matter the approach, the Physical Activity Guidelines recommend that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (anything that gets your heart beating faster) each week and at least 2 days per week of muscle-strengthening activity (anything that makes your muscles work harder than usual). Youth need 60 minutes or more of physical activity each day. Preschool-aged children ages 3 to 5 years need to be active throughout the day — with adult caregivers encouraging active play — to enhance growth and development. Striving toward these goals and then continuing to get physical activity, in some shape or form, contributes to better health outcomes both immediately and over the long term.

For youth, sports offer additional avenues to more physical activity and improved mental health. Youth who participate in sports may enjoy psychosocial health benefits beyond the benefits they gain from other forms of leisure-time physical activity. Psychological health benefits include higher levels of perceived competence, confidence, and self-esteem — not to mention the benefits of team building, leadership, and resilience, which are important skills to apply on the field and throughout life. Research has also shown that youth sports participants have a reduced risk of suicide and suicidal thoughts and tendencies. Additionally, team sports participation during adolescence may lead to better mental health outcomes in adulthood (e.g., less anxiety and depression) for people exposed to adverse childhood experiences. In addition to the physical and mental health benefits, sports can be just plain fun.

Physical activity’s implications for significant positive effects on mental health and social well-being are enormous, impacting every facet of life. In fact, because of this national imperative, the presidential executive order that re-established the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition explicitly seeks to “expand national awareness of the importance of mental health as it pertains to physical fitness and nutrition.” While physical activity is not a substitute for mental health treatment when needed and it’s not the answer to certain mental health challenges, it does play a significant role in our emotional and cognitive well-being.

No matter how we choose to be active during the holiday season — or any season — every effort to move counts toward achieving recommended physical activity goals and will have positive impacts on both the mind and the body. Along with preventing diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and the additional risks associated with these comorbidities, physical activity’s positive effect on mental health is yet another important reason to be active and Move Your Way .

As for me… I think it’s time for a walk. Happy and healthy holidays, everyone!

Yours in health, Paul

Paul Reed, MD Rear Admiral, U.S. Public Health Service Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health Director, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

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Open access
Published: 19 June 2020

Well-being is more than happiness and life satisfaction: a multidimensional analysis of 21 countries

Kai Ruggeri 1 , 2 ,
Eduardo Garcia-Garzon 3 ,
Áine Maguire 4 ,
Sandra Matz 5 &
Felicia A. Huppert 6 , 7

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes volume 18 , Article number: 192 ( 2020 ) Cite this article

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Recent trends on measurement of well-being have elevated the scientific standards and rigor associated with approaches for national and international comparisons of well-being. One major theme in this has been the shift toward multidimensional approaches over reliance on traditional metrics such as single measures (e.g. happiness, life satisfaction) or economic proxies (e.g. GDP).

To produce a cohesive, multidimensional measure of well-being useful for providing meaningful insights for policy, we use data from 2006 and 2012 from the European Social Survey (ESS) to analyze well-being for 21 countries, involving approximately 40,000 individuals for each year. We refer collectively to the items used in the survey as multidimensional psychological well-being (MPWB).

The ten dimensions assessed are used to compute a single value standardized to the population, which supports broad assessment and comparison. It also increases the possibility of exploring individual dimensions of well-being useful for targeting interventions. Insights demonstrate what may be masked when limiting to single dimensions, which can create a failure to identify levers for policy interventions.

Conclusions

We conclude that both the composite score and individual dimensions from this approach constitute valuable levels of analyses for exploring appropriate policies to protect and improve well-being.

What is well-being?

Well-being has been defined as the combination of feeling good and functioning well; the experience of positive emotions such as happiness and contentment as well as the development of one’s potential, having some control over one’s life, having a sense of purpose, and experiencing positive relationships [ 23 ]. It is a sustainable condition that allows the individual or population to develop and thrive. The term subjective well-being is synonymous with positive mental health. The World Health Organization [ 45 ] defines positive mental health as “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community”. This conceptualization of well-being goes beyond the absence of mental ill health, encompassing the perception that life is going well.

Well-being has been linked to success at professional, personal, and interpersonal levels, with those individuals high in well-being exhibiting greater productivity in the workplace, more effective learning, increased creativity, more prosocial behaviors, and positive relationships [ 10 , 27 , 37 ]. Further, longitudinal data indicates that well-being in childhood goes on to predict future well-being in adulthood [ 39 ]. Higher well-being is linked to a number of better outcomes regarding physical health and longevity [ 13 ] as well as better individual performance at work [ 30 ], and higher life satisfaction has been linked to better national economic performance [ 9 ].

Measurement of well-being

Governments and researchers have attempted to assess the well-being of populations for centuries [ 2 ]. Often in economic or political research, this has ended up being assessed using a single item about life satisfaction or happiness, or a limited set of items regarding quality of life [ 3 ]. Yet, well-being is a multidimensional construct, and cannot be adequately assessed in this manner [ 14 , 24 , 29 ]. Well-being goes beyond hedonism and the pursuit of happiness or pleasurable experience, and beyond a global evaluation (life satisfaction): it encompasses how well people are functioning, known as eudaimonic, or psychological well-being. Assessing well-being using a single subjective item approach fails to offer any insight into how people experience the aspects of their life that are fundamental to critical outcomes. An informative measure of well-being must encompass all the major components of well-being, both hedonic and eudaimonic aspects [ 2 ], and cannot be simplified to a unitary item of income, life satisfaction, or happiness.

Following acknowledgement that well-being measurement is inconsistent across studies, with myriad conceptual approaches applied [ 12 ], Huppert and So [ 27 ] attempted to take a systematic approach to comprehensively measure well-being. They proposed that positive mental health or well-being can be viewed as the complete opposite to mental ill health, and therefore attempted to define mental well-being in terms of the opposite of the symptoms of common mental disorders. Using the DSM-IV and ICD-10 symptom criteria for both anxiety and depression, ten features of psychological well-being were identified from defining the opposite of common symptoms. The features encompassed both hedonic and eudaimonic aspects of well-being: competence, emotional stability, engagement, meaning, optimism, positive emotion, positive relationships, resilience, self-esteem, and vitality. From these ten features an operational definition of flourishing, or high well-being, was developed using data from Round 3 of the European Social Survey (ESS), carried out in 2006. The items used in the Huppert and So [ 27 ] study were unique to that survey, which reflects a well-being framework based on 10 dimensions of good mental health. An extensive discussion on the development and validation of these measures for the framework is provided in this initial paper [ 27 ].

As this was part of a major, multinational social survey, each dimension was measured using a single item. As such, ‘multidimensional’ in this case refers to using available measures identified for well-being, but does not imply a fully robust measure of these individual dimensions, which would require substantially more items that may not be feasible for population-based work related to policy development. More detailed and nuanced approaches might help to better capture well-being as a multidimensional construct, and also may consider other dimensions. However, brief core measures such as the one implemented in the ESS are valuable as they provide a pragmatic way of generating pioneering empirical evidence on well-being across different populations, and help direct policies as well as the development of more nuanced instruments. While this naturally would benefit from complementary studies of robust measurement focused on a single topic, appropriate methods for using sprawling social surveys remain critical, particularly through better standardization [ 6 ]. While this paper will overview those findings, we strongly encourage more work to that end, particularly in more expansive measures to support policy considerations.

General approach and key questions

The aim of the present study was to develop a more robust measurement of well-being that allows researchers and policymakers to measure well-being both as a composite construct and at the level of its fundamental dimensions. Such a measure makes it possible to study overall well-being in a manner that goes beyond traditional single-item measures, which capture only a fraction of the dimensions of well-being, and because it allows analysts to unpack the measure into its core components to identify strengths and weaknesses. This would produce a similar approach as the most common reference for policy impacts: Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is a composite measure of a large number of underlying dimensions.

The paper is structured as follows: in the first step, data from the ESS are used to develop a composite measure of well-being from the items suggested by Huppert & So [ 27 ] using factor analysis. In the second step, the value of the revised measure is demonstrated by generating insights into the well-being of 21 European countries, both at the level of overall well-being and at the level of individual dimensions.

The European social survey

The ESS is a biannual survey of European countries. Through comprehensive measurement and random sampling techniques, the ESS provides a representative sample of the European population for persons aged 15 and over [ 38 ]. Both Round 3 (2006–2007) and Round 6 (2012–2013) contained a supplementary well-being module. This module included over 50 items related to all aspects of well-being including psychological, social, and community well-being, as well as incorporating a brief measure of symptoms of psychological distress. As summarized by Huppert et al. [ 25 ], of the 50, only 30 items relate to personal well-being, of which only 22 are positive measures. Of those remaining, not all relate to the 10 constructs identified by Huppert and So [ 27 ], so only a single item could be used, or else the item that had the strongest face validity and distributional items were chosen.

Twenty-two countries participated in the well-being modules in both Round 3 and Round 6. As this it within a wider body of analyses, it was important to focus on those initially. Hungary did not have data for the vitality item in Round 3 and was excluded from the analysis, as appropriate models would not have been able to reliably resolve a missing item for an entire country. To be included in the analysis and remain consistent, participants therefore had to complete all 10 items used and have the age, gender, employment, and education variables completed. Employment was classified into four groups: students, employed, unemployed, retired; other groups were excluded. Education was classified into three groups: low (less than secondary school), middle (completed secondary school), and high (postsecondary study including any university and above). Using these criteria, the total sample for Round 6 was 41,825 people from 21 countries for analysis. The full sample was 52.6% female and ranged in age from 15 to 103 (M = 47.9; SD = 18.9). Other details about participation, response rates, and exclusion have been published elsewhere [ 38 ].

Huppert & So [ 27 ] defined well-being using 10 items extracted from the Round 3 items, which represent 10 dimensions of well-being. However, the items used in Round 3 to represent positive relationships and engagement exhibited ceiling effects and were removed from the questionnaire in Round 6. Four alternatives were available to replace each question. Based on their psychometric properties (i.e., absence of floor effects and wider response distributions), two new items were chosen for positive relationships and engagement (one item for each dimension). The new items and those they replaced can be seen in Table 1 (also see Supplement ).

Development of a composite measure of psychological well-being (MPWB)

A composite measure of well-being that yields an overall score for each individual was developed. From the ten indicators of well-being shown in Table 1 , a single factor score was calculated to represent MPWB. This overall MPWB score hence constitutes a summary of how an individual performs across the ten dimensions, which is akin to a summary score such as GDP, and will be of general value to policymakers. Statistical analysis was performed in R software, using lavaan [ 40 ] and lavaan.survey [ 35 ] packages. The former is a widely-used package for the R software designed for computing structural equation models and confirmatory factor analyses (CFA). The latter allows introducing complex survey design weights (combination of design and population size weights) when estimating confirmatory factor analysis models with lavaan, which ensures that MPWB scoring followed ESS guidelines regarding both country-level and survey specific weights [ 17 ]. Both packages have been previously tested and validated in various analyses using ESS data (as explained in detail in lavaan.survey documentation).

It should be noted that Round 6 was treated as the focal point of these efforts before repeating for Round 3, primarily due to the revised items that were problematic in Round 3, and considering that analyses of the 2006 data are already widely available.

Prior to analysis, all items were coded such that higher scores were more positive and lower scores more negative. Several confirmatory factor analysis models were performed in order to test several theoretical conceptualizations regarding MPWB. Finally, factor scores (expected a posteriori [ 15 ];) were calculated for the full European sample and used for descriptive purposes. The approach and final model are presented in supplemental material .

Factor scores are individual scores computed as weighted combinations of each person’s response on a given item and the factor scoring coefficients. This approach is to be preferred to using raw or sum scores: sum or raw scores fail to consider how well a given item serves as an indicator of the latent variable (i.e., all items are unrealistically assumed to be perfect and equivalent measures of MPWB). They also do not take into account that different items could present different variability, which is expected to occur if items present different scales (as in our case). Therefore, the use of such simple methods results in inaccurate individual rankings for MPWB. To resolve this, factor scores are both more informative and more accurate, as they avoid the propagation of measurement error in subsequent analyses [ 19 ].

Not without controversy (see Supplement ), factor scores are likely to be preferable to sum scores when ranking individuals on unobservable traits that are expected to be measured with noticeable measurement error (such as MPWB [ 32 ];). Similar approaches based on factor scoring have been successfully applied in large international assessment research [ 21 , 34 ]. With the aim of developing a composite well-being score, it was necessary to provide a meaningful representation of how the different well-being indicators are reflected in the single measure. A hierarchical model with one higher-order factor best approximated MPWB along with two first-order factors (see supplement Figure S 1 ). This model replicates the factor structure reported for Round 3 by Huppert & So [ 27 ]. The higher-order factor explained the relationship between two first-order factors (positive functioning and positive characteristics showed a correlation of ρ = .85). In addition, modelling standardized residuals showed that the items representing vitality and emotional stability and items representing optimism and self-esteem were highly correlated. The similarities in wording in both pairs of items (see Table 1 ) are suspected to be responsible for such high residual correlations. Thus, those correlations were included in the model. As presented in Table 2 , the hierarchical model was found to fit the data better than any other model but a bi-factor model including these correlated errors. The latter model resulted in collapsed factor structure with a weak, bi-polar positive functioning factor. However, this bi-factor model showed a problematic bi-polar group factor with weak loadings. Whether this group factor was removed (resulting in a S-1 bi-factor model, as in [ 16 ]), model fit deteriorated. Thus, neither bi-factor alternative was considered to be acceptable.

To calculate the single composite score representing MPWB, a factor scoring approach was used rather than a simplistic summing of raw scores on these items. Factor scores were computed and standardized for the sample population as a whole, which make them suitable for broad comparison [ 8 ]. This technique was selected for two reasons. First, it has the ability to take into account the different response scales used for measuring the items included in the multidimensional well-being model. The CFA model, from which MPWB scores were computed, was defined such that the metric of the MPWB was fixed, which results in a standardized scale. Alternative approaches, such as sum or raw scores, would result in ignoring the differential variability across items, and biased individual group scores. Our approach, using factor scoring, resolves this issue by means of standardization of the MPWB scores. The second reason for this technique is that it could take account of how strongly each item loaded onto the MPWB factor. It should be noted that by using only two sub-factors, the weight applied to the general factor is identical within the model for each round. This model was also checked to ensure it also was a good fit for different groups based on gender, age, education and employment.

Separate CFA analyses per each country indicate that the final model fit the data adequately in all countries (.971 < CFI < .995; .960 < TFI < .994; .020 < RMSEA < .05; 0,023 < SRMR < 0,042). All items presented substantive loadings on their respective factors, and structures consistently replicated across all tested countries. Largest variations were found when assessing the residual items’ correlations (e.g., for emotional stability and vitality correlation, values ranged from 0,076 to .394). However, for most cases, residuals correlations were of similar size and direction (for both cases, the standard deviation of estimated correlations was close of .10). Thus, strong evidence supporting our final model was systematically found across all analyzed countries. Full results are provided in the supplement (Tables S 2 -S 3 ).

Model invariance

In order to establish meaningful comparisons across groups within and between each country, a two-stage approach was followed, resulting in a structure that was successfully found to be similar across demographics. First, a descriptive comparison of the parameter estimates unveiled no major differences across groups. Second, factor scores were derived for the sample, employing univariate statistics to compare specific groups within country and round. In these analyses, neither traditional nor modern approaches to factor measurement invariance were appropriate given the large sample and number of comparisons at stake ([ 8 ]; further details in Supplement ).

From a descriptive standpoint, the hierarchical structure satisfactorily fit both Round 3 and Round 6 data. All indicators in both rounds had substantial factor loadings (i.e., λ > .35). A descriptive comparison of parameter estimates produced no major differences across the two rounds. The lack of meaningful differences in the parameter estimates confirms that this method for computing MPWB can be used in both rounds.

As MPWB scores from both rounds are obtained from different items that have different scales for responses, it is necessary to transform individual scores obtained from both rounds in order to be aligned. To do this between Round 3 and Round 6 items, a scaling approach was used. To produce common metrics, scores from Round 3 were rescaled using a mean and sigma transformation (Kolen & Brennan 2010) to align with Round 6 scales. This was used as Round 6 measures were deemed to have corrected some deficiencies found in Round 3 items. This does not change outcomes in either round but simply makes the scores match in terms of distributions relative to their scales, making them more suitable for comparison.

As extensive descriptive insights on the sample and general findings are already available (see [ 41 ]), we focus this section on the evidence derived directly from the proposed approach to MPWB scores. For the combined single score for MPWB, the overall mean (for all participants combined) is fixed to zero, and the scores represent deviation from the overall mean. In 2012 (Round 6), country scores on well-being ranged from − 0.41 in Bulgaria to 0.46 in Denmark (Fig. 1 ). There was a significant, positive relationship between national MPWB mean scores and national life satisfaction means ( r = .56 (.55–.57), p < .001). In addition, MPWB was negatively related with depression scores and positively associated with other well-being measurements (see Supplement ).

Distribution of national MPWB means and confidence intervals across Europe

Denmark having the highest well-being is consistent with many studies [ 4 , 18 ] and with previous work using ESS data [ 27 ]. While the pattern is typically that Nordic countries are doing the best and that eastern countries have the lowest well-being, exceptions exist. The most notable exception is Portugal, which has the third-lowest score and is not significantly higher than Ukraine, which is second lowest. Switzerland and Germany are second and third highest respectively, and show generally similar patterns to the Scandinavian countries (see Fig. 1 ). It should be noted that, for Figs. 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , countries with the lowest well-being are at the top. This is done to highlight the greatest areas for potential impact, which are also the most of concern to policy.

Well-being by country and gender

Well-being by country and age

Well-being by country and employment

Well-being by country and education

General patterns across the key demographic variables – gender, age, education, employment – are visible across countries as seen in Figs. 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 (see also Supplement 2 ). These figures highlight patterns based on overall well-being as well as potential for inequalities. The visualizations presented here, though univariate, are for the purpose of understanding broad patterns while highlighting the need to disentangle groups and specific dimensions to generate effective policies.

For gender, women exhibited lower MPWB scores than men across Europe (β = −.09, t (36508) = − 10.37; p < .001). However, these results must be interpreted with caution due to considerable overlap in confidence intervals for many of the countries, and greater exploration of related variables is required. This also applies for the five countries (Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Slovakia, Ukraine) where women have higher means than men. Only four countries have significant differences between genders, all of which involve men having higher scores than women: the Netherlands (β = −.12, t (1759) = − 3.24; p < .001), Belgium (β = −.14, t (1783) = − 3.94; p < .001), Cyprus (β = −.18, t (930) = − 2.87; p < .001) and Portugal (β = −.19, t (1847) = − 2.50; p < .001).

While older individuals typically exhibited lower MPWB scores compared to younger age groups across Europe (β 25–44 = −.05, t (36506) = − 3.686, p < .001; β 45–65 = −.12, t (36506) = − 8.356, p < .001; β 65–74 = −.16, t (36506) = − 8.807, p < .001; β 75+ = −.28, t (36506) = − 13.568, p < .001), the more compelling pattern shows more extreme differences within and between age groups for the six countries with the lowest well-being. This pattern is most pronounced in Bulgaria, which has the lowest overall well-being. For the three countries with the highest well-being (Denmark, Switzerland, Germany), even the mean of the oldest age group was well above the European average, while for the countries with the lowest well-being, it was only young people, particularly those under 25, who scored above the European average. With the exception of France and Denmark, countries with higher well-being typically had fewer age group differences and less variance within or between groups. Only countries with the lowest well-being showed age differences that were significant with those 75 and over showing the lowest well-being.

MPWB is consistently higher for employed individuals and students than for retired (β = −.31, t (36506) = − 21.785; p < .00) or unemployed individuals (β = −.52, t (36556) = − 28.972; p < .001). Unemployed groups were lowest in nearly all of the 21 countries, though the size of the distance from other groups did not consistently correlate with national MPWB mean. Unemployed individuals in the six countries with the lowest well-being were significantly below the mean, though there is little consistency across groups and countries by employment beyond that. In countries with high well-being, unemployed, and, in some cases, retired individuals, had means below the European average. In countries with the lowest well-being, it was almost exclusively students who scored above the European average. Means for retired groups appear to correlate most strongly with overall well-being. There is minimal variability for employed groups in MPWB means within and between countries.

There is a clear pattern of MPWB scores increasing with education level, though the differences were most pronounced between low and middle education groups (β = .12, t (36508) = 9.538; p < .001). Individuals with high education were significantly higher on MPWB than those in the middle education group (β = .10, t (36508) =11.06; p < .001). Differences between groups were noticeably larger for countries with lower overall well-being, and the difference was particularly striking in Bulgaria. In Portugal, medium and high education well-being means were above the European average (though 95% confidence intervals crossed 0), but educational attainment is significantly lower in the country, meaning the low education group represents a greater proportion of the population than the other 21 countries. In the six countries with the highest well-being, mean scores for all levels of education were above the European mean.

Utilizing ten dimensions for superior understanding of well-being

It is common to find rankings of national happiness and well-being in popular literature. Similarly, life satisfaction is routinely the only measure reported in many policy documents related to population well-being. To demonstrate why such limited descriptive approaches can be problematic, and better understood using multiple dimensions, all 21 countries were ranked individually on each of the 10 indicators of well-being and MPWB in Round 6 based on their means. Figure 6 demonstrates the variations in ranking across the 10 dimensions of well-being for each country.

Country rankings in 2012 on multidimensional psychological well-being and each of its 10 dimensions

The general pattern shows typically higher rankings for well-being dimensions in countries with higher overall well-being (and vice-versa). Yet countries can have very similar scores on the composite measure but very different underlying profiles in terms of individual dimensions. Figure 7 a presents this for two countries with similar life satisfaction and composite well-being, Belgium and the United Kingdom. Figure 7 b then demonstrates this even more vividly for two countries, Finland and Norway, which have similar composite well-being scores and identical mean life satisfaction scores (8.1), as well as have the highest two values for happiness of all 21 countries. In both pairings, the broad outcomes are similar, yet countries consistently have very different underlying profiles in individual dimensions. The results indicate that while overall scores can be useful for general assessment, specific dimensions may vary substantially, which is a relevant first step for developing interventions. Whereas the ten items are individual measures of 10 areas of well-being, had these been limited to a single domain only, the richness of the underlying patterns would have been lost, and the limitation of single item approaches amplified.

a Comparison of ranks for dimensions of well-being between two different countries with similar life satisfaction in 2012: Belgium and United Kingdom. b Comparison of ranks for dimensions of well-being between two similar countries with identical life satisfaction and composite well-being scores in 2012: Finland and Norway

The ten-item multidimensional measure provided clear patterns for well-being across 21 countries and various groups within. Whether used individually or combined into a composite score, this approach produces more insight into well-being and its components than a single item measure such as happiness or life satisfaction. Fundamentally, single items are impossible to unpack in reverse to gain insights, whereas the composite score can be used as a macro-indicator for more efficient overviews as well as deconstructed to look for strengths and weaknesses within a population, as depicted in Figs. 6 and 7 . Such deconstruction makes it possible to more appropriately target interventions. This brings measurement of well-being in policy contexts in line with approaches like GDP or national ageing indexes [ 7 ], which are composite indicators of many critical dimensions. The comparison with GDP is discussed at length in the following sections.

Patterns within and between populations

Overall, the patterns and profiles presented indicate a number of general and more nuanced insights. The most consistent among these is that the general trend in national well-being is usually matched within each of the primary indicators assessed, such as lower well-being within unemployed groups in countries with lower overall scores than in those with higher overall scores. While there are certainly exceptions, this general pattern is visible across most indicators.

The other general trend is that groups with lower MPWB scores consistently demonstrate greater variability and wider confidence intervals than groups with higher scores. This is a particularly relevant message for policymakers given that it is an indication of the complexity of inequalities: improvements for those doing well may be more similar in nature than for those doing poorly. This is particularly true for employment versus unemployment, yet reversed for educational attainment. Within each dimension, the most critical pattern is the lack of consistency for how each country ranks, as discussed further in other sections.

Examining individual dimensions of well-being makes it possible to develop a more nuanced understanding of how well-being is impacted by societal indicators, such as inequality or education. For example, it is possible that spending more money on education improves well-being on some dimensions but not others. Such an understanding is crucial for the implementation of targeted policy interventions that aim at weaker dimensions of well-being and may help avoid the development of ineffective policy programs. It is also important to note that the patterns across sociodemographic variables may differ when all groups are combined, compared to results within countries. Some effects may be larger when all are combined, whereas others may have cancelling effects.

Using these insights, one group that may be particularly important to consider is unemployed adults, who consistently have lower well-being than employed individuals. Previous research on unemployment and well-being has often focused on mental health problems among the unemployed [ 46 ] but there are also numerous studies of differences in positive aspects of well-being, mainly life satisfaction and happiness [ 22 ]. A large population-based study has demonstrated that unemployment is more strongly associated with the absence of positive well-being than with the presence of symptoms of psychological distress [ 28 ], suggesting that programs that aim to increase well-being among unemployed people may be more effective than programs that seek to reduce psychological distress.

Certainly, it is well known that higher income is related to higher subjective well-being and better health and life expectancy [ 1 , 42 ], so reduced income following unemployment is likely to lead to increased inequalities. Further work would be particularly insightful if it included links to specific dimensions of well-being, not only the comprehensive scores or overall life satisfaction for unemployed populations. As such, effective responses would involve implementation of interventions known to increase well-being in these groups in times of (or in spite of) low access to work, targeting dimensions most responsible for low overall well-being. Further work on this subject will be presented in forthcoming papers with extended use of these data.

This thinking also applies to older and retired populations in highly deprived regions where access to social services and pensions are limited. A key example of this is the absence in our data of a U-shaped curve for age, which is commonly found in studies using life satisfaction or happiness [ 5 ]. In our results, older individuals are typically lower than what would be expected in a U distribution, and in some cases, the oldest populations have the lowest MPWB scores. While previous studies have shown some decline in well-being beyond the age of 75 [ 20 ], our analysis demonstrates quite a severe fall in MPWB in most countries. What makes this insight useful – as opposed to merely unexpected – is the inclusion of the individual dimensions such as vitality and positive relationships. These dimensions are clearly much more likely to elicit lower scores than for younger age groups. For example, ageing beyond 75 is often associated with increased loneliness and isolation [ 33 , 43 ], and reduction in safe, independent mobility [ 31 ], which may therefore correspond with lower scores on positive relationships, engagement, and vitality, and ultimately lower scores on MPWB than younger populations. Unpacking the dimensions associated with the age-related decline in well-being should be the subject of future research. The moderate positive relationship of MPWB scores with life satisfaction is clear but also not absolute, indicating greater insights through multidimensional approaches without any obvious loss of information. Based on the findings presented here, it is clearly important to consider ensuring the well-being of such groups, the most vulnerable in society, during periods of major social spending limitations.

Policy implications

Critically, Fig. 6 represents the diversity of how countries reach an overall MPWB score. While countries with overall high well-being have typically higher ranks on individual items, there are clearly weak dimensions for individual countries. Conversely, even countries with overall low well-being have positive scores on some dimensions. As such, the lower items can be seen as potential policy levers in terms of targeting areas of concern through evidence-based interventions that should improve them. Similarly, stronger areas can be seen as learning opportunities to understand what may be driving results, and thus used to both sustain those levels as well as potentially to translate for individuals or groups not performing as well in that dimension. Collectively, we can view this insight as a message about specific areas to target for improvement, even in countries doing well, and that even countries doing poorly may offer strengths that can be enhanced or maintained, and could be further studied for potential applications to address deficits. We sound a note of caution however, in that these patterns are based on ranks rather than actual values, and that those ranks are based on single measures.

Figure 7 complements those insights more specifically by showing how Finland and Norway, with a number of social, demographic, and economic similarities, plus identical life satisfaction scores (8.1) arrive at similar single MPWB scores with very different profiles for individual dimensions. By understanding the levers that are specific to each country (i.e. dimensions with the lowest well-being scores), policymakers can respond with appropriate interventions, thereby maximizing the potential for impact on entire populations. Had we restricted well-being measurement to a single question about happiness, as is commonly done, we would have seen both countries had similar and extremely high means for happiness. This might have led to the conclusion that there was minimal need for interventions for improving well-being. Thus, in isolation, using happiness as the single indicator would have masked the considerable variability on several other dimensions, especially those dimensions where one or both had means among the lowest of the 21 countries. This would have resulted in similar policy recommendations, when in fact, Norway may have been best served by, for example, targeting lower dimensions such as Engagement and Self-Esteem, and Finland best served by targeting Vitality and Emotional Stability.

Targeting specific groups and relevant dimensions as opposed to comparing overall national outcomes between countries is perhaps best exemplified by Portugal, which has one of the lowest educational attainment rates in OECD countries, exceeded only by Mexico and Turkey [ 36 ]. This group thus skews the national MPWB score, which is above average for middle and high education groups, but much lower for those with low education. Though this pattern is not atypical for the 21 countries presented here, the size of the low education group proportional to Portugal’s population clearly reduces the national MPWB score. This implies that the greatest potential for improvement is likely to be through addressing the well-being of those with low education as a near-term strategy, and improving access to education as a longer-term strategy. It will be important to analyze this in the near future, given recent reports that educational attainment in Portugal has increased considerably in recent years (though remains one of the lowest in OECD countries) [ 36 ].

One topic that could not be addressed directly is whether these measures offer value as indicators of well-being beyond the 21 countries included here, or even beyond the countries included in ESS generally. In other words, are these measures relevant only to a European population or is our approach to well-being measurement translatable to other regions and purposes? Broadly speaking, the development of these measures being based on DSM and ICD criteria should make them relevant beyond just the 21 countries, as those systems are generally intended to be global. However, it can certainly be argued that these methods for designing measures are heavily influenced by North American and European medical frameworks, which may limit their appropriateness if applied in other regions. Further research on these measures should consider this by adding potential further measures deemed culturally appropriate and seeing if comparable models appear as a result.

A single well-being score

One potential weakness remains the inconsistency of scaling between ESS well-being items used for calculating MPWB. However, this also presents an opportunity to consider the relative weighting of each item within the current scales, and allow for the development of a more consistent and reliable measure. These scales could be modified to align in separate studies with new weights generated – either generically for all populations or stratified to account for various cultural or other influences. Using these insights, scales could alternatively be produced to allow for simple scoring for a more universally accessible structure (e.g. 1–100) but with appropriate values for each item that represents the dimensions, if this results in more effective communication with a general public than a standardized score with weights. Additionally, common scales would improve on attempts to use rankings for presenting national variability within and between dimensions. Researchers should be aware that factor scores are sample-dependent (as based on specific factor model parameters such as factor loadings). Nevertheless, future research focused on investigating specific item differential functioning (by means of multidimensional item response functioning or akin techniques) of these items across situations (i.e., rounds) and samples (i.e., rounds and countries) should be conducted in order to have a more nuanced understanding of this scale functioning.

What makes this discussion highly relevant is the value of a more informed measure to replace traditional indicators of well-being, predominantly life satisfaction. While life satisfaction may have an extensive history and present a useful metric for comparisons between major populations of interest, it is at best a corollary, or natural consequence, of other indicators. It is not in itself useful for informing interventions, in the same way limiting to a single item for any specific dimension of well-being should not alone inform interventions.

By contrast, a validated and standardized multidimensional measure is exceptionally useful in its suitability to identify those at risk, as well as its potential for identifying areas of strengths and weaknesses within the at-risk population. This can considerably improve the efficiency and appropriateness of interventions. It identifies well-understood dimensions (e.g. vitality, positive emotion) for direct application of evidence-based approaches that would improve areas of concern and thus overall well-being. Given these points, we strongly argue for the use of multidimensional approaches to measurement of well-being for setting local and national policy agenda.

There are other existing single-score approaches for well-being addressing its multidimensional nature. These include the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale [ 44 ] and the Flourishing Scale [ 11 ]. In these measures, although the single score is derived from items that clearly tap a number of dimensions, the dimensions have not been systematically derived and no attempt is made to measure the underlying dimensions individually. In contrast, the development approach used here – taking established dimensions from DSM and ICD – is based on years of international expertise in the field of mental illness. In other words, there have long been adequate measures for identifying and understanding illness, but there is room for improvement to better identify and understand health. With increasing support for the idea of these being a more central focus of primary outcomes within economic policies, such approaches are exceptionally useful [ 13 ].

Better measures, better insights

Naturally, it is not a compelling argument to simply state that more measures present greater information than fewer or single measures, and this is not the primary argument of this manuscript. In many instances, national measures of well-being are mandated to be restricted to a limited set of items. What is instead being argued is that well-being itself is a multidimensional construct, and if it is deemed a critical insight for establishing policy agenda or evaluating outcomes, measurements must follow suit and not treat happiness and life satisfaction values as universally indicative. The items included in ESS present a very useful step to that end, even in a context where the number of items is limited.

As has been argued by many, greater consistency in measurement of well-being is also needed [ 26 ]. This may come in the form of more consistency regarding dimensions included, the way items are scored, the number of items representing each dimension, and changes in items over time. While inconsistency may be prevalent in the literature to date for definitions and measurement, the significant number of converging findings indicates increasingly robust insights for well-being relevant to scientists and policymakers. Improvements to this end would support more systematic study of (and interventions for) population well-being, even in cases where data collection may be limited to a small number of items.

The added value of MPWB as a composite measure

While there are many published arguments (which we echo) that measures of well-being must go beyond objective features, particularly related to economic indicators such as GDP, this is not to say one replaces the other. More practically, subjective and objective approaches will covary to some degree but remain largely distinct. For example, GDP presents a useful composite of a substantial number of dimensions, such as consumption, imports, exports, specific market outcomes, and incomes. If measurement is restricted to a macro-level indicator such as GDP, we cannot be confident in selecting appropriate policies to implement. Policies are most effective when they target a specific component (of GDP, in this instance), and then are directly evaluated in terms of changes in that component. The composite can then be useful for comprehensive understanding of change over time and variation in circumstances. Specific dimensions are necessary for identifying strengths and weaknesses to guide policy, and examining direct impacts on those dimensions. In this way, a composite measure in the form of MPWB for aggregate well-being is also useful, so long as the individual dimensions are used in the development and evaluation of policies. Similar arguments for other multidimensional constructs have been made recently, such as national indexes of ageing [ 7 ].

In the specific instance of MPWB in relation to existing measures of well-being, there are several critical reasons to ensure a robust approach to measurement through systematic validation of psychometric properties. The first is that these measures are already part of the ESS, meaning they are being used to study a very large sample across a number of social challenges and not specifically a new measure for well-being. The ESS has a significant influence on policy discussions, which means the best approaches to utilizing the data are critical to present systematically, as we have attempted to do here. This approach goes beyond existing measures such as Gallup or the World Happiness Index to broadly cover psychological well-being, not individual features such as happiness or life satisfaction (though we reiterate: as we demonstrate in Fig. 7 a and b, these individual measures can and should still covary broadly with any multidimensional measure of well-being, even if not useful for predicting all dimensions). While often referred to as ‘comprehensive’ measurement, this merely describes a broad range of dimensions, though more items for each dimension – and potentially more dimensions – would certainly be preferable in an ideal scenario.

These dimensions were identified following extensive study for flourishing measures by Huppert & So [ 27 ], meaning they are not simply a mix of dimensions, but established systematically as the key features of well-being (the opposite of ill-being). Furthermore, the development of the items is in line with widely validated and practiced measures for the identification of illness. The primary adjustment has simply been the emphasis on health, but otherwise maintains the same principles of assessment. Therefore, the overall approach offers greater value than assessing only negative features and inferring absence equates to opposite (positives), or that individual measures such as happiness can sufficiently represent a multidimensional construct like well-being. Collectively, we feel the approach presented in this work is therefore a preferable method for assessing well-being, particularly on a population level, and similar approaches should replace single items used in isolation.

While the focus of this paper is on the utilization of a widely tested measure (in terms of geographic spread) that provides for assessing population well-being, it is important to provide a specific application for why this is relevant in a policy context. Additionally, because the ESS itself is a widely-recognized source of meaningful information for policymakers, providing a robust and comprehensive exploration of the data is necessary. As the well-being module was not collected in recent rounds, these insights provide clear reasoning and applications for bringing them back in the near future.

More specifically, it is critical that this approach be seen as advantageous both in using the composite measure for identifying major patterns within and between populations, and for systematically unpacking individual dimensions. Using those dimensions produces nuanced insights as well as the possibility of illuminating policy priorities for intervention.

In line with this, we argue that no composite measure can be useful for developing, implementing, or evaluating policy if individual dimensions are not disaggregated. We are not arguing that MPWB as a single composite score, nor the additional measures used in ESS, is better than other existing single composite scoring measures of well-being. Our primary argument is instead that MPWB is constructed and analyzed specifically for the purpose of having a robust measure suitable for disaggregating critical dimensions of well-being. Without such disaggregation, single composite measures are of limited use. In other words, construct a composite and target the components.

Well-being is perhaps the most critical outcome measure of policies. Each individual dimension of well-being as measured in this study represents a component linked to important areas of life, such as physical health, financial choice, and academic performance [ 26 ]. For such significant datasets as the European Social Survey, the use of the single score based on the ten dimensions included in multidimensional psychological well-being gives the ability to present national patterns and major demographic categories as well as to explore specific dimensions within specific groups. This offers a robust approach for policy purposes, on both macro and micro levels. This facilitates the implementation and evaluation of interventions aimed at directly improving outcomes in terms of population well-being.

Availability of data and materials

The datasets analysed during the current study are available in the European Social Survey repository, http://www.europeansocialsurvey.org/data/country_index.html

Abbreviations

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

European Social Survey

Gross Domestic Product

International Classification of Disease

Multidimensional psychological well-being

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Ms. Sara Plakolm, Ms. Amel Benzerga, and Ms. Jill Hurson for assistance in proofing the final draft. We would also like to acknowledge the general involvement of the Centre for Comparative Social Surveys at City University, London, and the Centre for Wellbeing at the New Economics Foundation.

This work was supported by a grant from the UK Economic and Social Research Council (ES/LO14629/1). Additional support was also provided by the Isaac Newton Trust, Trinity College, University of Cambridge, and the UK Economic and Social Research Council (ES/P010962/1).

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Kai Ruggeri

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Eduardo Garcia-Garzon

Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

Áine Maguire

Columbia Business School, New York, USA

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University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia

Felicia A. Huppert

Well-being Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK

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KR is the lead author and researcher on the study, responsible for all materials start to finish. FH was responsible for the original grant award and the general theory involved in the measurement approaches. ÁM was responsible for broad analysis and writing. EGG was responsible for psychometric models and the original factor scoring approach, plus writing the supplementary explanations. SM provided input on later drafts of the manuscript as well as the auxiliary analyses. The authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Additional file 1: figure s1.

. Hierarchical approach to modelling comprehensive psychological well-being. Table S1 . Confirmatory Factor Structure for Round 6 and 3. Figure S2 . Well-being by country and gender. Figure S3 . Well-being by country and age. Figure S4 . Well-being by country and employment. Figure S5 . Well-being by country and education. Table S2 . Item loadings for Belgium to Great Britain. Table S3 . Item loadings for Ireland to Ukraine.

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Ruggeri, K., Garcia-Garzon, E., Maguire, Á. et al. Well-being is more than happiness and life satisfaction: a multidimensional analysis of 21 countries. Health Qual Life Outcomes 18 , 192 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12955-020-01423-y

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The Benefits of Mental Health According to Science

Instead, promoting and protecting mental health may be more effective approaches for targeting psychological wellness (Keyes, Dhingra, & Simoes, 2010).

After all, mental health is vital. It encourages us to flourish in the present while feeling good about the future, with the capacity to handle stressful times and events in all areas of our lives (Seligman, 2011).

Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Positive Psychology Exercises for free . These science-based exercises will explore fundamental aspects of positive psychology including strengths, values, and self-compassion, and will give you the tools to enhance the wellbeing of your clients, students, or employees.

This Article Contains:

The benefits of being mentally healthy, 4+ positive mental health facts, 9 more advantages of mental health, how to make every day a mental health day, mental health therapy benefits, best resources from positivepsychology.com, a take-home message.

When we talk about mental health, we typically refer to our cognitive, behavioral, and emotional wellbeing.

Moreover, while being mentally healthy is sometimes considered the absence of mental disorders, it is perhaps more beneficial and more accurate to see it as learning to flourish (Felman & Tee-Melegrito, 2022; Seligman, 2011).

Martin Seligman, often referred to as the father of positive psychology, proposes that removing clients’ sadness, anxiety, or anger does not make them mentally healthy (Seligman, 2011).

Indeed, even when the therapeutic work is done, it may not lead to a happy patient. Instead, according to Seligman, positive mental health is the presence of positive emotions, engagement, good relationships, meaning, and accomplishment (Seligman, 2011).

The World Health Organization (WHO), therefore, describes mental health as “a state of mental wellbeing that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community” (WHO, 2022, para. 1).

According to the WHO, mental health is of positive value, integral to our wellness, and underpins our ability to shape our lives and our world.

Mental health is such a fundamental human need that it is considered a basic human right (WHO, 2022).

And yet, what benefits does being mentally healthy bring with it?

According to the research, good mental health (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021; Seligman, 2011; Snyder, 2021):

Is vital at every stage of life, helping us manage stress, relate to others, and make positive choices in line with our values;
Is intimately connected with physical health—one affects the other. Indeed, poor mental health-as indicated by depression and long-term anxiety can be a factor in many severe or chronic health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and strokes. Therefore, maintaining good mental health can have a protective effect on our overall health.
Encourages feelings of being useful and relevant to society and offers the sense that our output is valued and worthwhile;
Increases our feelings of calm, happiness, satisfaction, and the sense that we have a fulfilling life. Indeed, such positive emotions lead to an increasing upward spiral of flourishing.

Furthermore, it is vital to both the flourishing of an individual now and throughout their future (Keyes et al., 2010):

A 2010 study found that “[g]ains in mental health predicted declines in mental illness,” with the authors concluding that measuring contributing factors and triggers is a valuable approach for screening against future mental health issues (Keyes et al., 2010, 12).
More recently, research has also identified mental health as a predictor and a factor in recovery from mental illness. While a high degree of mental health offers protection from mental illness, those higher in it are more likely to recover from an affective disorder. While mental health and mental illness are separate constructs, promoting the former reduces the impact and burden of the latter (Iasiello et al., 2019)
While mental health can be targeted for improvement at any age, research suggests the importance of regular engagement early on. Indeed, studies show that mental health promotion and protection are most beneficial throughout our lifespan, starting in early youth (Keyes, 2013).
Individuals and society must recognize that poor mental health can affect anyone and is not linked to intelligence, income, or social status. Indeed, mental illnesses are like physical illnesses—indiscriminate. They are beyond our choice and willpower and can be experienced at any point in our lives. Therefore, early and ongoing mental wellness support is essential (Felman & Tee-Melegrito, 2022).

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When measuring or identifying our client’s degree of happiness, we typically look for specific markers or indicators. As such, they confirm some benefits of good mental health, including (Snyder, 2021):

A more positive attitude and outlook toward self and others.
Increased openness to new, different, and challenging experiences.
An increasingly optimistic outlook regarding the potential of individuals, groups, and society to grow positively.
A heightened sense of purpose.
A boosted capacity for managing complex environments and situations and shaping them in positive ways.
More engagement, curiosity, and interest in society, social life, and the needs of others.
Ability to resist unhelpful, unsavory influences to maintain goal and value-driven paths – ultimately a show of heightened autonomy.
Experiencing a sense of belonging to the community; deriving both comfort and support from their support and connections.
Engagement in warm and trusting relationships, showing intimacy and empathy.

It should not be separate from how we live but form part of our work, relationships, hobbies, and achievements, encouraging our experiences of meaning and fulfillment (Seligman, 2011).

We can create many micro self-care activities in our daily routines, such as time away from our desks, pausing to engage with friends and colleagues, and putting in place appropriate work-life barriers. And yet, it is equally important to identify and schedule specific pastimes, activities, and practices that prioritize our flourishing – making time and space in our busy lives to boost our mental health (Bush, 2015).

Indeed, Seligman’s original positive psychology model for wellbeing has been expanded beyond positive emotions, engagement, positive relationships, meaningful living, and achievements (PERMA) to include health . Where health is considered vital for our wellbeing and forms part of a more holistic view that integrates psychological and physical health (Seligman, 2011; Morgan & Simmons, 2021).

Research has shown each of the following activities and pastimes to have a positive impact on our mental health. There is value in setting aside time to incorporate the following into our daily lives:

Yoga has been used for thousands of years as a tool for self-improvement. While it has essential physical elements, the target of yoga is predominantly the mind. In the modern world, and throughout medicine and therapy, such ancient practices are finding their place in supporting individuals in building mental health and overcoming lifestyle disorders.

Research confirms that yoga-based interventions can improve mental wellness and provide “significant benefits in mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, and psychosis” (Varambally & Gangadhar, 2016, p. 233).

We never evolved to exercise – at least in exerting energy in a non-essential sense.

Nevertheless, we evolved to run, carry, reproduce, hunt, and perform other activities necessary to increase the likelihood of our survival and the passing on of our genes.

However, most of us live in a world where physical effort is unnecessary and may even be considered uncomfortable. And yet, there are tremendous benefits.

“The brains of more physically active people have enlarged memory regions, more cells, and increased blood supply,” writes evolutionary biologist Daniel Lieberman (2021, p. 334).

Moreover, directly for our mental health, those that regularly exercise are less reactive to stressful situations, reducing levels of cortisol, and experiencing less depression and anxiety.

Exercise also boosts our confidence and strengthens our belief that we can achieve goals—all essential to good mental health (Lieberman, 2021).

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Nature is known to have a significant impact on our overall health. It is no surprise that spending time outdoors in forests, near rivers, or beside the sea boosts our mental wellbeing.

And, while many of the studies focus on the adult population, research has found that children receive positive impacts on their physical, mental, and social dimensions. A 2018 review confirms that experiences in the natural world “have a beneficial influence on children’s and teenagers’ mental health” (Tillmann et al., 2018, p. 964).

Such findings have far-reaching implications, from town development, and designing school environments, to creating therapeutic interventions.

Mindfulness is used as a therapeutic treatment for clients experiencing mental health disorders and has widespread use in the general population, where it is recognized for its positive effects (Shapiro, 2020).

Recent research has also found that mindful meditation apps can benefit our mental health. Such interventions show small to medium effects on perceived stress, anxiety, and anxiety symptoms (Gál, Ștefan, & Cristea, 2021).

Other research suggests that a regular meditation habit also increases our experience of positive emotions associated with good mental health, such as joy, optimism, and hope, redressing the negativity bias many of us experience (Shapiro, 2020).

Music is often our go-to during times of both happiness and sadness. We seek out direct and indirect connections with the words, rhythm, and beat.

A 2021 review of the existing research on the effects of music on our mental health recognizes that music engagement is linked with “quality of life, wellbeing, prosocial behavior, social connectedness, and emotional competence” (Gustavson et al., 2021, p. 1).

While unclear exactly how music benefits our mental wellbeing, it has been found to help with depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, and can have a powerful effect on our everyday experiences–including social and cultural identities, cognition, and personality (Gustavson et al., 2021).

Positive mental health at work – acasorguk

Therapy to improve or regain mental health can take various forms, including psychoanalysis, behavioral, cognitive, and humanistic treatments.

Each theory of psychotherapy and counseling guides the mental health practitioner in the process of understanding the needs of their clients and identifying their problems while working with them to find solutions (American Psychological Association, 2009).

Therapies, including–but not exclusively–talking therapies, can benefit anyone going through difficult times and, research suggests, may be more effective than medicine.

Such treatments often offer a positive outcome because a trained counselor is an excellent listener, giving clients time to talk, show their emotions, and stop and think. Such opportunities may not always be available or possible elsewhere with a friend or family member (NHS, 2018).

Furthermore, there are many other benefits to mental health therapy. After all, depending on the environment we were brought up in or experienced at work, we may not have been encouraged–or may even be actively discouraged–from sharing how we feel.

This avoidance of recognizing and sharing our emotions is potentially damaging. Therapy provides a safe opportunity to talk about our symptoms and the underlying problems impacting our mental wellness. Deep engagement, listening to, and working through our feelings can unchain us from the past and affect long-lasting change (Walton, 2022).

Another unexpected benefit of undergoing mental health therapy is the positive effect it can have on our physical health. When people engage in therapy and express how they feel–sometimes for the first time in years–they can undergo physical changes. Sleeping problems, discomfort, and stomach pains can reduce or even go away in response to therapeutic intervention (Walton, 2022).

Ultimately, the aim and hoped-for benefit of mental health therapy is to feel better. That does not mean that the problem that brought the client to seek help no longer exists but that they have found a better way to cope (NHS, 2018).

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Self-care and self-compassion are both essential factors in mental health and wellbeing. We have many resources available for therapists supporting clients in their mental wellness.

Why not download our free self-compassion pack and try out the powerful tools contained within, including:

Applying the Yin Yang of Self-Compassion Use this valuable exercise based on traditional Chinese philosophy to encourage and promote self-compassion, self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness.
Learning to Rate Behavior Rather Than The Self Self-acceptance is vital to our overall mental wellbeing. Indeed, rather than self-evaluation, we must accept ourselves unconditionally to maximize our chance of a healthy relationship with the self.

Other free resources include:

Preventing Mental Health Relapse We can maximize our likelihood of good mental health by identifying those mental health issues’ triggers and indicators and developing suitable coping mechanisms .
Self-Care Checkup Putting in place self-care mechanisms can have a protective and preventive effect and encourage mental health maintenance.

More extensive versions of the following tools are available with a subscription to the Positive Psychology Toolkit© , but they are described briefly below:

Goal Visualization

Setting goals motivates and energizes and offers a pathway to a more valued and fulfilling life while promoting mental health. In fact, imagining possible selves increases the likelihood that associated events occur.

The Goal Visualization tool comprises two powerful steps:

Step 1 – the client is guided through the visualization using a script to consider how their life may look in the weeks and months ahead.
Step 2 – the client is encouraged to evaluate how they felt performing the exercise and what any learnings might mean to them.
Step 1 – Begin with a wish. What would the client like to achieve?
Step 2 – Next, encourage them to imagine the result they wish to create.
Step 3 – Now ask them to imagine the obstacles standing in their way.
Step 4 – Plan one or more actions to get around the obstacle.

Lastly, if you’re looking for more science-based ways to help others enhance their wellbeing, this signature collection contains 17 validated positive psychology tools for practitioners. Use them to help others flourish and thrive.

Mental health is not a nice-to-have; it is essential to living a fulfilling life where the client is engaged in what they do, engaged with the people around them, and having meaningful goals.

Mental health is also protective – helping individuals bounce back after difficult times, return to a new normal, and persevere when things are tough. For the positive psychology practitioner, mental health is less about helping clients fix what is wrong and more a focus on where and whom they want to be.

Therapists can help their clients create environments that foster creativity, goal-directed behavior, and deeper connections that promote the positive emotions associated with wellness and human flourishing.

While mental health is vital at any age, the most significant gains may be found through focusing on youths and young adults as they experience some of the most significant cognitive, emotional, and behavioral adjustments in their lives.

While mental health professionals should consider mental wellness part of their clients’ everyday living, they can also be directed to engage in specific pursuits that they find enjoyable and intrinsically rewarding. Such activities must be prioritized, with time carved out of busy schedules to ensure they take place.

As therapists, coaches, and counselors, helping our clients to maintain or regain mental health is vital. A high degree of mental wellbeing ultimately leads to the flourishing of the individual, those around them, and society itself.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Don’t forget to download our three Positive Psychology Exercises for free .

American Psychological Association. (2009). Different approaches to psychotherapy . Retrieved October 28, 2022, from https://www.apa.org/topics/psychotherapy/approaches
Bush, A. D. (2015). Simple self-care for therapists: Restorative practices to weave through your workday . New York: W.W. Norton & Company.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). About Mental Health . Retrieved October 27, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/learn/index.htm
Felman, A., & Tee-Melegrito, R. A. (2022). Mental health: Definition, common disorders, early signs, and more . Retrieved October 27, 2022, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/154543
Gál, É, Ștefan, S., & Cristea, I. A. (2021). The efficacy of mindfulness meditation apps in enhancing users’ wellbeing and mental health related outcomes: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Affective Disorders , 279, 131-142.
Gustavson, D. E., Coleman, P. L., Iversen, J. R., Maes, H. H., Gordon, R. L., & Lense, M. D. (2021). Mental Health and Music engagement: Review, Framework, and Guidelines for Future Studies .
Iasiello, M., Van Agteren, J., Keyes, C. L., & Cochrane, E. M. (2019). Positive mental health as a predictor of recovery from mental illness. Journal of Affective Disorders , 251, 227-230.
Keyes, C. L., Dhingra, S. S., & Simoes, E. J. (2010). Change in level of positive mental health as a predictor of future risk of mental illness. American Journal of Public Health , 100(12), 2366-2371.
Keyes, C. L. M. (2013). Promoting and Protecting Positive Mental Health: Early and Often Throughout the Lifespan. In: Keyes, C. (eds) Mental Wellbeing . Springer, Dordrecht. 3-28
Lieberman, D. (2021). Exercised: The science of physical activity, rest and health . S.l.: Penguin Books.
Morgan, B., & Simmons, L. (2021). A ‘perma’ response to the pandemic: An online positive education programme to promote wellbeing in University Students. Frontiers in Education , 6.
NHS. (2018). Benefits of talking therapies . Retrieved October 28, 2022, from https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/talking-therapies-and-counselling/benefits-of-talking-therapies/
Seligman, M. (2011). Flourish: A new understanding of happiness and wellbeing and how to achieve them . London: Nicholas Brealey Publishing.
Shapiro, S. L. (2020). Rewire your mind: Discover the science + practice of mindfulness . London: Aster.
Snyder, C. R. (2021). The Oxford Handbook of Positive Psychology . New York: Oxford University Press.
Tillmann, S., Tobin, D., Avison, W., & Gilliland, J. (2018). Mental health benefits of interactions with nature in children and teenagers: A systematic review. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health , 72(10), 958-966.
Varambally, S., & Gangadhar, B. N. (2016). Current status of Yoga in Mental Health Services. International Review of Psychiatry , 28(3), 233-235.
Walton, A. (2022). 11 intriguing reasons to give talk therapy a try . Retrieved October 28, 2022, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2014/06/03/11-intriguing-reasons-to-give-talk-therapy-a-try/?sh=4c0cd2b34ebb
WHO. (2022). Mental health: Strengthening our response . Retrieved October 27, 2022, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response

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Importance of Physical Fitness Essay

To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
As a template for you assignment

People all over the world are becoming fitness conscious as they have realized that it is the most important and have shifted their priorities from everything else to keep them fit and fine as healthy with wealth. Regular exercise has several benefits it helps the body to get into the desired shape and develops resistance power from gaining additional and excessive weight. It helps a person safe from diseases such as obesity, blood pressure, heart diseases, and high cholesterol. Furthermore, an activity also helps in reducing depression and insomnia by enhancing sleeping routines. Also, such activity is known to produce positive vibes inside a person which in turn increases the person’s confidence. (Hardcastle, 2006)

Fitness training fine-tunes the muscles using and burning calories in the body which also increases the metabolic rate in the body. While an inactive person will have his or her body losing its muscles decreasing the metabolism of the body, resulting in concentration of calories and formation of fat and the person gains weight. Exercises like walking, jogging, running, swimming, doing push-ups and pull-ups, running up a flight of stairs, doing crunches, cycling, etc. not only helps a person maintain an outer strong and toned look but it also help the organs like heart, lungs, liver and other to function properly while giving mental peace. (Hasselfors, Hans, n.d.)

For the community, there can be several initiatives taken to help people exercise regularly and maintain a healthy diet. Being a nutritionist advisor, I can guide people on what types of food are healthy and which types of foods should be avoided. As a social welfare worker, I can organize marathons for social causes where people can participate in the form of marathon exercises and also serve a more worldly cause. By adopting an educationist’s role, I can educate the positive aspects of personal fitness and make people aware of the negatives of not exercising. Also, I can start dancing lessons for young boys and girls where from an early stage not only children learn to dance but also learn to exercise. Furthermore, I can become a sport’s proponent where teaching people to play sports will also help them increase their activity and become fit. (Personal Health Zone, 2009)

The most common type of exercise is walking or running. From a casual stroll to a paced walk every day works the muscles relentlessly. Yet another popular exercise common amongst the younger people is playing sports since most sports involve running and stretching out the body muscles. Aerobics or even dancing is a type of exercise that is fun yet physically strengthening. Although swimming might fall under the banner of sports, most people swim to relax in the water and have a good time, and can exercise their body at the same time. For the more body-conscious people, bodybuilding is a set of exercises that strengthens the muscles by picking weights and putting regular pressure. Carrying excessive loads from to and fro also is a form of exercise. Furthermore, in a computer-related work environment, where repetitive strain injury (RSI) is quite common, people should take regular breaks and stretch out their muscles. People recommend the use of machines available in gymnasiums to flex their muscles. Yet another method of exercising is cycling either on a bicycle or a gymnasium machine. (ADAM, 2004)

Active people tend to outlive those who are inactive. In case of being physically inactive for a long time and then taking drastic measures to lose weight to achieve a good result is not an efficient way, as it will not have a lifelong effect on the body. It is rather recommended to consult the physician and go slowly and step-wise. Alongside maintaining a healthy lifestyle by eating healthy food, avoiding junk and fast food, and exercising regularly mainly in the early morning and late evening as these are the effective times for exercising.

ADAM (2004). Exercise . Web.

Hardcastle, J. (2006). The Importance of Physical Fitness .

Hasselfors, H. (N.D) Fitness Training. Web.

Personal Health Zone (2009). Health and Fitness . Web.

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Essay on Health for Students and Children

500+ words essay on health.

Essay on Health: Health was earlier said to be the ability of the body functioning well. However, as time evolved, the definition of health also evolved. It cannot be stressed enough that health is the primary thing after which everything else follows. When you maintain good health , everything else falls into place.

Similarly, maintaining good health is dependent on a lot of factors. It ranges from the air you breathe to the type of people you choose to spend your time with. Health has a lot of components that carry equal importance. If even one of them is missing, a person cannot be completely healthy.

Constituents of Good Health

First, we have our physical health. This means being fit physically and in the absence of any kind of disease or illness . When you have good physical health, you will have a longer life span. One may maintain their physical health by having a balanced diet . Do not miss out on the essential nutrients; take each of them in appropriate quantities.

Secondly, you must exercise daily. It may be for ten minutes only but never miss it. It will help your body maintain physical fitness. Moreover, do not consume junk food all the time. Do not smoke or drink as it has serious harmful consequences. Lastly, try to take adequate sleep regularly instead of using your phone.

Next, we talk about our mental health . Mental health refers to the psychological and emotional well-being of a person. The mental health of a person impacts their feelings and way of handling situations. We must maintain our mental health by being positive and meditating.

Subsequently, social health and cognitive health are equally important for the overall well-being of a person. A person can maintain their social health when they effectively communicate well with others. Moreover, when a person us friendly and attends social gatherings, he will definitely have good social health. Similarly, our cognitive health refers to performing mental processes effectively. To do that well, one must always eat healthily and play brain games like Chess, puzzles and more to sharpen the brain.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Physical Health Alone is Not Everything

There is this stigma that surrounds mental health. People do not take mental illnesses seriously. To be completely fit, one must also be mentally fit. When people completely discredit mental illnesses, it creates a negative impact.

For instance, you never tell a person with cancer to get over it and that it’s all in their head in comparison to someone dealing with depression . Similarly, we should treat mental health the same as physical health.

Parents always take care of their children’s physical needs. They feed them with nutritious foods and always dress up their wounds immediately. However, they fail to notice the deteriorating mental health of their child. Mostly so, because they do not give it that much importance. It is due to a lack of awareness amongst people. Even amongst adults, you never know what a person is going through mentally.

Thus, we need to be able to recognize the signs of mental illnesses . A laughing person does not equal a happy person. We must not consider mental illnesses as a taboo and give it the attention it deserves to save people’s lives.

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Home / Essay Samples / Health / Physical Exercise / Benefits of Physical Exercise for Health and Wellness

Benefits of Physical Exercise for Health and Wellness

Category: Life , Health
Topic: Fitness , Healthy Lifestyle , Physical Exercise

Pages: 2 (752 words)

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Physical fitness

Cardiovascular system.

Improvement of hip cracks coming about because of bone degeneration;
Squash cracks along the spine;
Joint inflammation; and
Diminished adaptability, flexibility.

Immune system

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Essay on Health and Wellness – 10 Lines, 500 & 1000 Words

Essay on Health and Wellness in 10 Lines

Short Essay on Health and Wellness in English

Essay on Health and Wellness in 500 Words

Essay on Health and Wellness 1000 Words in English

Introduction

Physical Health

Mental Health

Social Health

Holistic Approach

Significance of a Holistic Approach

Strategies for Achieving Well-Being

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103 Wellness Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Why You Should Take Care of Your Body and Health

Make Sleep a Priority

Why Taking Care of Your Body is Good for Mental Health

Press Play for Advice On Creating Good Habits

Eat a Balanced Diet for the Right Reasons

Stay Motivated

Find a Fitness Habit That Works for You

Make It a Habit

Do Something You Enjoy

Watch What You Put Into Your Body

Find Ways to Manage Your Stress

A Word From Verywell

Essay on Health and Wellness

What is the difference between health and wellness?

What is health

Relationship between health and well-being

Cite this paper

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Importance of Health and Wellness

Ways to Achieve Health and Wellness

Challenges in Maintaining Health and Wellness

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The Importance of Wellness

How to Achieve Health and Wellness

Staying Active

Getting Enough Sleep

Being Positive

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The Comprehensive Benefits of Exercise: a Path to Health and Wellness

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Six Ways Happiness Is Good for Your Health

1. Happiness protects your heart

2. Happiness strengthens your immune system

3. Happiness combats stress

4. Happy people have fewer aches and pains

5. Happiness combats disease and disability

6. Happiness lengthens our lives

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Kira M. Newman

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