Comprehensive Well-being: Well-being is More Than Absence of Illness or Disability

It’s a common belief that well-being is simply about the absence of physical or mental health problems. Many people assume that as long as you don’t have a diagnosed illness, chronic condition, or disability, you are in a state of good well-being. However, the full picture might be much more complex.

How’s your well-being in recent week? Take a moment to fill in the Comprehensive Well-being scale to do a quick check-in.

Are you physically energized and healthy? Can you manage your emotions effectively? Do you feel connected to a community? These are all different aspects of well-being, which go beyond the simple “presence or absence of illness or disability” view. Continue reading to uncover the full dimension of well-being!

Well-being is Not a Binary Term

Rather than being the opposite ends of a single spectrum, well-being and disability/illness exist on separate continua. This means that someone diagnosed with a chronic illness or disability can have good well-being. Conversely, someone without health issues can also struggle with poor well-being.

The key is that, well-being encompasses far more than simply the presence or absence of illness, disability, or mental health disorders. According to the World Health Organization’s definition, well-being was composed of physical, mental, and social dimensions. To truly assess and cultivate well-being, some scholars suggested us to take a holistic view – which focuses on nurturing positive intrapersonal and transpersonal experiences.

Intrapersonal Well-being: How do you relate to and experience yourself?

Here are some key components of intrapersonal well-being:

• Physical Health and Vitality: Feeling physically healthy and energized.
• Emotional well-being: Presence of positive affect like joy, contentment, gratitude, and happiness.
• Self-acceptance: Having a positive attitude towards oneself, acknowledging and accepting both one’s good and bad qualities.
• Emotional Regulation: Managing difficult emotions like anxiety, anger, or sadness in a constructive way.
• Sense of Purpose: Having goals, intentions, and a sense of meaning and direction in life.
• Personal Growth: A sense of continuous development, the view of oneself as growing and expanding, being open to new experiences.

Transpersonal Well-being: How do you relate with people and things beyond yourself?

The main things that make up transpersonal well-being are:

• Sense of connection: Feeling like you belong and are accepted in your community and society.
• Cultivating meaningful relationships: Developing warm, trusting relationships with others; having the capacity for deep empathy, care, and connection that relates to morality, social justice, culture, and spirituality.
• Contributing to the greater good: Believing your actions and role in society are valuable and make a positive difference.
• Environmental well-being: Caring for and nurturing for the physical environment and other living organisms.
• Transcendental well-being: Building a relationship with something or someone beyond humanity, such as a cosmic force, ultimate concern, or divine being.

Tips to Enhance Comprehensive Well-Being

Taking a holistic approach to nurturing these various aspects of well-being can lead to greater flourishing, fulfillment and a sense of purpose in life. The following tips provide concrete strategies to enhance both the intrapersonal and transpersonal well-being.

Intrapersonal Well-being:

• Prioritize your health: Establish healthy habits like regular exercise, quality sleep, and nutritious meals to fuel your mind and body. For example, start your day with a nourishing breakfast.
• Cultivate positivity and self-acceptance: Make time for gratitude practices, enjoyable activities, and self-compassion. Try keeping a journal to celebrate your unique strengths and accomplishments.
• Manage your emotions: Develop emotional awareness and techniques like cognitive reappraisal, mindfulness, and relaxation to skillfully respond to difficult emotions; seek support from trusted ones or mental health professionals if needed.
• Develop your sense of purpose: Reflect on what’s most important to you, such as making a positive impact, creativity, personal growth, justice, etc. Seek out opportunities that align with your core values.
• Nurture personal growth: Adopt a growth mindset, believing that your abilities can be developed through effort, learning, and persistence; reflect deeply on your core values to set meaningful goals that align with your purpose.

Transpersonal Well-being:

• Widen your social circle: Take the initiative to actively connect with those around you, whether reaching out to classmates, getting to know instructors, or engaging with hallmates, while also maintaining existing relationships. You may engage in volunteering or student organizations as well.
• Foster meaningful connections: Practice empathetic and active listening to build the capacity for deep and authentic connection. Invest in developing your verbal and nonverbal communication skills to enrich your interactions.
• Contribute to the collective good: Reflect on how your unique talents and passions can make a positive difference, whether through campus initiatives, community service, or activism.
• Deepen your bond with nature: Support eco-friendly practices, join environmental clubs, and consider your personal sustainability choices.
• Explore spiritual connection: Engage in contemplative practices or delve into spiritual or philosophical traditions that foster a sense of unity with something greater than the individual self.

Thriving at University

As you’ve learned, well-being encompasses far more than the mere absence of illness or disability. It is a multidimensional concept that includes both intrapersonal and transpersonal elements. Prioritizing comprehensive well-being is an investment in your personal growth, resilience, and ability to make a positive impact.

Last but not least, take advantage of the programs, initiatives, and resources provided by the Wellness and Counselling Centre to support your growth. By embracing this multifaceted approach, you’ll be empowered to thrive during your university years and beyond!

Reference

Sham, W.W.L., Yeung, G.T.Y., Mak, W.W.S., & Powell, C.Y.M. (2021). Comprehensive well-being scale: development and validation among Chinese in recovery of mental illness in Hong Kong. BMC Psychology, 9, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-021-00686-4