Support for Learning
What does Wellbeing mean?
Wellbeing is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as “the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy.” However, it is important to realise that wellbeing is a much bigger concept than moment-to-moment happiness. While it does include happiness, it also includes other things, such as how satisfied people are with their life as a whole, their sense of purpose, and how in control they feel.
Wellbeing Continuum
It can be helpful to think of mental wellbeing as a continuum that ranges from feeling happy and content to experiencing chronic and enduring mental health difficulties that can be extremely difficult to manage. How you should respond and support others depends on where you/they are on the continuum.
It is normal to go through times when we are leaning towards the negative end of this continuum. Our experience of what is happening or has happened in our lives will influence our mental wellbeing. Sometimes, when we experience thoughts, feelings and behaviours that are challenging or distressing, it can be difficult to move back to the positive end of this continuum. There will be lots of factors which influence how you or others cope and show resilience at times like these.
Where are you on the continuum?
MoodPanda.com is a mood tracking website and iphone app. Tracking is very simple: you rate your happiness on a 0-10 scale, and optionally add a brief twitter-like comment on what’s influencing your mood.
Mental Wellbeing Audio Guides
NHS UK have released a series of audio guides that you can listen to which will help you boost your mood/wellbeing.
