Positive mental well-being is a state where you feel good and function effectively in the world. In essence, it's about thriving, not just surviving.
More specifically, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), positive mental well-being encompasses the ability to:
- Cope with the normal stresses of life: This means having resilience and the skills to manage everyday challenges without being overwhelmed.
- Learn and work productively: Indicating a state where you are able to focus, engage, and achieve your goals in both educational and professional settings.
Essentially, positive mental well-being isn't simply the absence of mental illness; it's the presence of positive characteristics, experiences, and resources. It can manifest in several ways:
- Emotional Well-being: Experiencing positive emotions like happiness, joy, love, gratitude, and contentment.
- Psychological Well-being: Feeling a sense of purpose in life, personal growth, autonomy, self-acceptance, and positive relationships with others.
- Social Well-being: Feeling connected to your community, contributing to society, and believing that society is generally good.
A person with positive mental well-being will likely demonstrate these attributes:
- Resilience: The ability to bounce back from setbacks.
- Self-esteem: A positive view of oneself.
- Optimism: A positive outlook on the future.
- Strong relationships: Healthy connections with family, friends, and community.
- Sense of purpose: A feeling that your life has meaning and direction.
While some people may naturally possess a higher level of mental well-being, it is a state that can be cultivated and improved through various strategies, such as practicing mindfulness, engaging in regular exercise, pursuing hobbies, connecting with others, and seeking professional support when needed.
