Wellbeing

The general agreement is that at minimum, well-being includes the presence of positive emotions and moods (e.g., contentment, happiness), the absence of negative emotions (e.g., depression, anxiety), satisfaction with life, fulfilment and positive functioning.  In simple terms, well-being can be described as judging life positively and feeling good.

For public health purposes, physical well-being (e.g., feeling very healthy and full of energy) is also viewed as critical to overall well-being.

Wellbeing is subjective but can be assessed using self-assessment tools many of which can be found HERE, these include Emotion Questionnaires, Engagement Questionnaires,  Flourishing Questionnaires, Life Satisfaction Questionnaires and Meaning Questionnaires.

Health-related quality of life has been linked to patient outcomes and has generally focused on deficits in functioning (e.g., pain, negative affect). In contrast, well-being focuses on assets in functioning, including positive emotions and psychological resources (e.g., positive affect, autonomy, mastery) as key components.

Professional Support is now Professional Support and Wellbeing and so we want to focus on helping all (trainees and trainers) to optimise and maintain levels of psychological wellbeing that will support them through their work, study and home lives as well as the more formal role of supporting those who may need additional support i.e., referral to occupational health, for educational assessments in the case of exam failure, issues with training environment etc. 

Humans have evolved to be inherently curious, physically active, and deeply social beings.   As such, our social interactions provide support particularly during stressful situations e.g. trauma, loss etc. and yet this is often the time that we reduce our social interactions, exercise, healthy eating/drinking and good sleep regimens.

Positive Psychology

• Scientific study of optimal human functioning
• Aims to discover and promote factors that allow individuals and communities to thrive
• Happiness is desirable in and of itself, but research shows that happy, optimistic people are healthier, live longer, are more successful and have more fulfilling relationships.
• “Hedonic” well-being focuses on the “feeling” component of well-being (e.g., happiness) in contrast to “eudaimonic” well-being which focuses on the “thinking” component of well-being (e.g., fulfilment). People with high levels of positive emotions, and those who are functioning well psychologically and socially are described by some as having complete mental health, or as “flourishing.” 
• Until 2000 Psychology was about fixing the broken
• Positive psychology is about trying to focus on what makes people well, happy, ensuring wellbeing and facilitating flourishing.
• Psychology 2.0 is about focusing on the good but acknowledging the bad alongside and not ignoring it.
• 3rd wave Psychology is about prioritising the holistic promotion of psychological and behavioral processes associated with health and well-being over the reduction or elimination of psychological and emotional symptoms, although that typically is a “side-benefit.”

Happiness Formula

• H = 100%
• S =   50% - based on twin studies
• C =   10%
• I/V =   40%

• 1/V - Intention or Voluntary variable- a high percentage which we are in position to control!
• S - Genes- we can do nothing about
• C - Circumstances- a small percentage so doesn’t contribute significantly to the overall happiness score
• People who win a lot of money see an increase in their happiness scores but over the next year these return to their set point
• Those who have significant health problems may see a dip in their scores but these too return to their previous set point over time.

• Seligman also points out that lasting happiness has nothing to do with the hedonistic pleasures – shopping and partying – and more to do with solid values: a sense of community and meaningful work
• "learnt optimism" exercises, such as sitting down each evening and listing things that went well that day; learning to feel grateful for what we have; and practicing random acts of kindness. 

Optimism

Person activity fit diagnostic

Optimism

• Is a pre-existing capacity for a particular way of behaving, thinking or feeling that is authentic and energising to the user and enables optimal functioning and enables optimal functioning, development and performance.
• Enabling people to be themselves and to do what they do best is the win-win of highly effective performance
• The Curse of Mediocrity comes from the belief that everyone should be good at everything and when they aren’t we should focus on their weak areas - Linley pg 23 Average to A+
• We need to know and grow our strengths
• Is a pre-existing capacity for a particular way of behaving, thinking or feeling that is authentic and energising to the user and enables optimal functioning and enables optimal functioning, development and performance.
• Enabling people to be themselves and to do what they do best is the win-win of highly effective performance
• The Curse of Mediocrity comes from the belief that everyone should be good at everything and when they aren’t we should focus on their weak areas - Linley pg 23 Average to A+
• We need to know and grow our strengths

https://www.viacharacter.org/

https://positivepsychology.com/values-questionnaire/

https://positivepsychology.com/strength-finding-tests/ 

https://high5test.com/cliftonstrengths-free/

• When we use our strengths we are more authentic and energised, have higher levels of well-being and fulfilment and are more likely to achieve our goals and deliver better performance
• To use strengths optimally the “Golden Mean” - we should use the right strength, to the right amount, in the right way and at the right time
• People with growth mindsets have more accurate views of their own strengths and weakness
• When teachers / managers focus on strengths of their trainees / employees performance improves