6 Types of well-being you can have every day, instead of blindly searching for happiness

By: Aditya Shukla, Psychologist

Well-being is not an absence of mental illness. It is an inner/mental and outer/physical reality that includes: -avoiding pain -adapting to the environment and stress, -quality of daily functioning realizing one’s potential -happy feelings -pleasure -personal growth -satisfaction -meaning in life

1. Eudaimonic well-being (Eudaimonia)

Focuses on fulfilling your potential, meaning and purpose, and quality of functioning in life. High Eudaimonic well-being typically means better life satisfaction.

2. Hedonic well-being

Focuses on gratification, pleasure, and pain avoidance. High hedonic well-being means a person has short-term happiness and pleasure.

3. Psychological well-being

Focuses on skill, autonomy, personal growth, positive relationships, meaning, and self-acceptance. High psychological well-being contributes to long-term happiness.

4. Subjective well-being

Focuses on improving life satisfaction, positive emotions, and negative emotions. It is the cognitive, and emotional evaluation of one’s physical and mental life.

5. Objective well-being

Focuses on wealth, health, education, social connections, and adjustment to one’s environment. Higher objective well-being comes from a person’s accumulation of financial, educational, and social resources.

6. Psychological richness

Focuses on a variety of interesting & perspective-changing experiences. Higher psychological richness is a big part of a good life with less boredom, more memorable experiences & excitement.

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