Subjective well-being is a term used in psychology to describe a person’s overall emotional and psychological state. It is subjective because it depends on the individual’s own perceptions and opinions. Some researchers believe that subjective well-being is more important than objective measures of happiness, such as income or material possessions. In this blog post, we will discuss what subjective well-being is, why it matters, and how you can improve your own subjective well-being!
What Is Subjective Well-being?
Subjective well-being, also known as subjective happiness or life satisfaction, refers to an individual’s overall assessment of their well-being and happiness. It is a personal and unique evaluation that includes both cognitive evaluations (such as life satisfaction) and emotional experiences (such as positive emotions).
Why Does Subjective Well-Being Matter?
There is growing evidence that subjective well-being can have significant impacts on our health and overall functioning in daily life. Higher levels of subjective well-being have been linked to better physical health, stronger immune systems, and increased longevity. It has also been associated with greater success in both personal relationships and professional achievements. In addition, research suggests that increasing subjective well-being can lead to positive societal outcomes, such as reduced crime rates and increased economic prosperity.
Overall, understanding and promoting subjective well-being can have far-reaching benefits for individuals, communities, and society as a whole. It is important to continue researching this topic to better understand how we can enhance our subjective well-being and the well-being of those around us.
History of Subjective Well-Being
In 1984, psychologist Ed Diener created a model of subjective well-being consisting of three parts. According to this model, there are three different but related aspects of how people perceive their well-being:
Frequent positive affect: experiencing positive emotions regularly
Infrequent negative affect: experiencing negative emotions infrequently
Cognitive evaluations: overall life satisfaction and contentment
Since then, the study of subjective well-being has expanded and evolved, with researchers exploring its potential benefits and how it can be measured. In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on promoting subjective well-being in both individuals and society as a whole.
Signs of Subjective Well-Being
Some indicators of subjective well-being include:
- Feeling a sense of purpose and satisfaction in life
- Having positive relationships with others
- Having a positive outlook on the future
- Experiencing frequent positive emotions, such as joy and happiness
Of course, everyone’s experience of subjective well-being is unique and may vary over time. It is important to remember that subjective well-being is not the same as constantly feeling joy or happiness, but rather a more holistic evaluation of overall life satisfaction and positive emotions.
Types of Subjective Well-Being
Subjective well-being, as originally envisioned by Diener, focused on affective and cognitive well-being. However, other researchers have posited that a sense of purpose and meaning are also important elements in how people perceive their lives.
Experienced Well-Being
Experienced well-being, also known as hedonic well-being, refers to the pleasurable or positive emotions that people experience. This can include happiness, enjoyment, satisfaction, and contentment. While experienced well-being is often thought of as simply feeling happy, it also encompasses other positive emotions, such as Pride, Love, Hope, and Awe.
Experienced well-being is important not only for our happiness but also for our physical health and relationships. When we feel good, we are more likely to take care of our bodies and strengthen our connections with others. Therefore, promoting experienced well-being should be a priority for individuals and society alike.
Eudaimonic Well-Being
Eudaimonic well-being is more than just feeling happy or content. It’s about living a meaningful and fulfilling life. People who have eudaimonic well-being are engaged in activities that give them a sense of purpose and meaning. They’re not just going through the motions day after day. They’re actively pursuing their goals and working towards something important to them. Eudaimonic well-being is about more than just happiness. It’s about leading a rich and meaningful life.
Causes of Subjective Well-Being
While a large part of how you feel about your life is due to your inherent temperament, it is not the only factor. The conditions in which you live play an integral role in determining how content and satisfied you are. Additionally, what brings happiness differs from person to person, so something that might be important for one individual may hold less weight for another.
Researchers have found that subjective well-being is linked to several key causes:
Basic resources: having enough food, shelter, and safety
Autonomy: having control over one’s life and choices
Personal growth: feeling a sense of development or progress in life
Relationships: having positive relationships with others
Personality and temperament: being optimistic and self-confident
Mindset and resilience: having a growth mindset and being able to bounce back from challenges
However, it is important to remember that these factors may not always have equal weight for everyone. It is also important to consider cultural differences in what brings happiness and satisfaction.
Impact of Subjective Well-Being
Why does subjective well-being matter? It’s not just about feeling good or happy. Subjective well-being has been linked to improved physical health, better relationships, and increased productivity at work. People with higher levels of subjective well-being are also more likely to engage in prosocial behaviours and contribute to their communities.
Promoting subjective well-being, both at the individual and societal level can have far-reaching positive impacts. It’s not just about feeling happy – it’s about leading a fulfilling and meaningful life. And that benefits not only the individual but those around them as well.
Improve Your Subjective Well-Being
So, how can you improve your subjective well-being? It’s important to remember that what brings happiness and fulfillment differs from person to person. However, some general strategies can help promote subjective well-being:
Cultivate Positive Relationships With Others
A strong network of supportive relationships is one of the key ingredients to a happy and fulfilling life. According to a vast body of research, people who have close relationships with family and friends are more likely to report higher levels of subjective well-being than those who do not. Furthermore, the quality of our relationships is just as important as the quantity. Positive relationships are characterized by warmth, trust, and mutual respect, while negative ones are marked by conflict, criticism, and distance. Therefore, cultivating positive relationships with others is an essential step in improving your subjective well-being.
There are several ways to go about cultivating positive relationships.
- One is to simply make an effort to spend more time with the people you care about. This could involve setting aside regular “date nights” with your spouse or partner, planning weekend getaways with your friends, spending more time talking on the phone, or exchanging emails with distant family members.
- Another way to cultivate positive relationships is to make an effort to be more present and engaged when you are with people. This means putting away your phone, making eye contact, and listening when someone is talking to you. It also means being aware of your body language and making sure that it communicates warmth and openness.
By taking steps like these, you can take an active role in improving the quality of your relationships and, as a result, your subjective well-being.
Take Care Of Your Physical Health
Taking care of your physical health is one of the most important things you can do to improve your subjective well-being. After all, if you don’t feel good physically, it’s hard to feel good about anything else in your life. Eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep are all key components of maintaining a healthy body. But it’s also important to pay attention to your mental health. Be sure to take time for activities that make you happy and relieve stress. Whether it’s reading, spending time with friends and family, or taking a yoga class, find what works for you and make it a priority in your life. When you take care of yourself both physically and mentally, you’ll be well on your way to improving your subjective well-being.
Practice Gratitude
Being grateful and appreciative is known as gratitude. It is being mindful of everything we have received. When we focus on the goodness in our lives, we feel more positive emotions, such as joy, love, and contentment. In addition, gratitude improves our health, relationships, and overall satisfaction with life.
People who regularly practice gratitude by taking time to notice and reflect upon the things they’re thankful for experience more positive emotions, feel more connected to others, and even sleep better. Gratitude also boosts our feelings of self-worth and belonging. One study found that people who wrote in a gratitude journal felt 25% happier and were more likely to set and achieve personal goals compared to those who didn’t keep a gratitude journal.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the practice of being present and aware at the moment, without judgment. It involves paying attention to your thoughts, feelings, and surroundings in a non-reactive way. This can lead to improved psychological well-being, greater self-awareness, and increased ability to manage difficult emotions. Regular mindfulness practice has been shown to improve physical health, enhance relationships, and even increase productivity at work. So take some time each day to pause and focus on the present moment – it can go a long way in improving your subjective well-being.
Cognitive Behavioral Approaches
Finally, cognitive behavioural approaches involve identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviours that may be hindering your subjective well-being. This can involve working with a therapist to identify and challenge irrational beliefs, setting realistic goals, problem-solving, and practicing relaxation techniques. Cognitive behavioral therapy is effective in treating a range of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. By recognizing and altering negative patterns in our thoughts and actions, we can improve our subjective well-being.
Conclusion
In conclusion, subjective well-being is a combination of how satisfied we are with our lives and how positive or negative our emotions are. While it may be influenced by external factors such as genetics and life circumstances. These are just a few ways to improve your subjective well-being. Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach – it’s important to find what works for you and make it a priority in your life. Your subjective well-being is worth the effort!
