What would you do for better well-being?

     What defines success or happiness in life? A high-paying salary? A warm, cozy house? A family to care for? A successful, fulfilling career? While we all may be looking to gain these things, or something similar, throughout our lives, they all influence one important part of who we are - our well-being.

Photo courtesy of www.hwbuk.com

     While the study of psychological well-being has been a fairly recent phenomenon, the concept has been one people have been aware of for centuries. Well-being, simply put, is a state of happiness and satisfaction based on certain aspects of one's life.

     For the next few months, this blog will feature a series on well-being - what parts of our lives influence our overall well-being, and how can we improve our own well-being? Using research and information found on various websites along with information from leading well-being researchers, the posts will work to help readers become aware of their well-being and improve it within their own lives.

     So what constitutes "being well?" Well, you cannot be too well if you ask me - there is always room for improvement.

     But what influences your well-being? Charles Walker, a St. Bonaventure University professor of psychology and well-being researcher for over a decade, says 16 different metrics make up the well-being of college students:

     Walker's research examines well-being within higher education, so many of the metrics specifically connect to those in a college setting. By taking a questionnaire on Walker's website, students and faculty create a well-being web, which measures overall well-being and shows what metrics need improvement upon in their lives.


Graph courtesy of Dr. Walker, A Longitudinal Study
on the Psychological Well-Being of College Students

     For the next few weeks, posts will focus on the metrics Walker uses that apply to all readers - not just those readers in a collegiate setting. Later on, posts will look at leading ideas on well-being along with information from researchers and their studies.

     While there is no specific level of well-being we all need to reach, one's own well-being can always be improved. And with a higher level of satisfaction and happiness, comes an overall better life and more opportunities to inspire and change others' lives. Begin to improve your own well-being, and the rest will fall into place.