What wellbeing really means
Being well isn't only "not being sick." It's like a plant that has water, sun and good soil: it grows. People need good sleep, food, friends, fun and something they care about to grow too.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) Constitution defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, "and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."
- WHO describes mental health as a state of mental well-being that helps people cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn and work well, and contribute to their community.
- Psychologists often talk about two sides of wellbeing:
- Feeling good (positive emotions, life satisfaction).
- Functioning well (purpose, growth, good relationships, a sense of control).
- Wellbeing is not "being happy all the time." Sadness, stress and worry are normal parts of life.
- Take a sheet of paper and write five areas: sleep, movement, relationships, purpose, stress.
- Rate each from 1 to 10 for how you have felt in the past two weeks.
- Circle the lowest score.
- Write one small thing that could move that score up by one point.
- Remember: wellbeing does not mean being happy all the time, and sadness and worry are normal parts of life.
- Check: you have five scores, one circled area and one small action. This is education, not medical advice.
Videos by other creators on YouTube, for reference. They are not made by or affiliated with The Future Market.
Read the video script
[Host] "Wellbeing isn't just 'not sick.' The World Health Organization says health includes body, mind and social life."
[Text on screen: Feeling good + Functioning well] "Researchers look at two sides: feeling good, and functioning well: purpose, growth, relationships."
[Host] "And no, wellbeing doesn't mean smiling all day. Hard feelings are part of a normal life."
[Text on screen: Education only, not therapy] "This course is education, not therapy. We'll share where to get help, too."
Rate yourself 1 to 10 on five areas: sleep, movement, relationships, purpose, and stress. Circle the lowest one. That is a good place to start.
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I'm learning "Purpose, Gratitude & Wellbeing (education only)" on The Future Market. Lesson 1: "What wellbeing really means". What the lesson teaches: - The World Health Organization (WHO) Constitution defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, "and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." - WHO describes mental health as a state of mental well-being that helps people cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn and work well, and contribute to their community. - Psychologists often talk about two sides of wellbeing: - Feeling good (positive emotions, life satisfaction). - Functioning well (purpose, growth, good relationships, a sense of control). - Wellbeing is not "being happy all the time." Sadness, stress and worry are normal parts of life. The exercise I'm working on: Rate yourself 1 to 10 on five areas: sleep, movement, relationships, purpose, and stress. Circle the lowest one. That is a good place to start. I'm stuck. Please: 1. Explain the main idea in plain, simple words with one everyday example. 2. Walk me through the exercise one small step at a time. Ask me what I've done so far before giving the next step. 3. Don't just give me the final answer. Help me do it myself, and check my work when I share it.
I'm a parent helping my child (about 8 years old) with a lesson called "What wellbeing really means" from the course "Purpose, Gratitude & Wellbeing (education only)". Here's what the lesson says: Being well isn't only "not being sick." It's like a plant that has water, sun and good soil: it grows. People need good sleep, food, friends, fun and something they care about to grow too. The activity: Rate yourself 1 to 10 on five areas: sleep, movement, relationships, purpose, and stress. Circle the lowest one. That is a good place to start. Please explain this so an 8-year-old understands: short sentences, a fun everyday example, and no hard words. Then give me 3 simple questions I can ask my child to check they understood, and a way to do the activity together, one tiny step at a time.
Sources
- WHO Constitution: www.who.int/about/governance/constitution
- WHO fact sheet, "Mental health: strengthening our response": www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-o
Why this really matters
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Finding your values and purpose
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Gratitude: what works, and how much
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Kindness and connection
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Body basics: movement, sleep and nature
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Your wellbeing plan, and when to get help
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Final project
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Quiz
How does the WHO Constitution define health?
A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
What did Hill and Turiano (2014) find?
Adults with a stronger sense of purpose were less likely to die over 14 years, across all age groups (a link, not proof).
What did the Holt-Lunstad meta-analysis find?
Stronger social relationships were linked with about 50% higher odds of survival.
What are Bronk's four parts of purpose?
Commitment, personal meaning, goal direction, and a vision bigger than yourself.
How big is the effect of gratitude exercises on depression and anxiety?
Small (about g = -0.29 right after), according to a 2021 meta-analysis.
Is gratitude a treatment for depression?
No. It's a helpful habit with modest effects, not a replacement for professional care.
In the 2008 spending study, did $5 versus $20 matter?
No. Spending on others was linked to more happiness regardless of the amount.
How much moderate to vigorous activity do health guidelines recommend for adults?
At least 150 minutes per week.
How much sleep do health guidelines recommend for adults 18-64?
7 to 9 hours of good-quality sleep (this is Canada's guideline).
Where can someone get crisis support?
Call your local emergency number if safety is at risk, or an official crisis line in your country (for example 9-8-8 in Canada, NCMH 1553 in the Philippines).
Final exam
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Certificate
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