Your thoughts about well-being

A couple of days ago I asked you, ‘What contributes to your well-being?’ I have had a great response. Many thanks to Sue, Nicky, Kath, Toby, Inge, Kate, Janet, Priscilla, Noelle, Maz and Caryn. I have collated their responses below. It makes a enriching list. The more of these you bring into your life the more you will thrive!

Gardening, the beach, helping others, having a loving family, good friends, walking, healthy food, wine, fun, excitement, my husband snoring next to me in bed, the wonder of darkness, doing something new, knowing that my family are safe and well, healthy and happy, singing along with favourite songs, listening to the waves roll ashore – dragging pebbles with them (eyes closed), smiles on the faces of loved ones – especially my daughter, mixing colours and splashing paint across a surface, line drawing in a sketchbook, warm sunshine on my skin, the sound of fresh snow being compacted underfoot, the love and greeting from my dog, the smell of fresh bread, enjoying the countryside and caravanning, classical music, glorious food shared with friends and loved ones, contact from old friends, helping someone out, rediscovered favourite music and a spectacular view.

What is Well-Being?

I have done some reading around the topic. There are various viewpoints. Some look at the concept holistically, some focus on the workplace. Some have a psychological focus, others consider its broadest possible definition.

There are however some common themes and every item on the list of things that contribute to your well-being (above) falls into at least one of them. These are the categories I will use to focus and create my Photography Activities for the new book, each activity will fall into at least one of these categories of well-being.

• Emotional/psychological well-being
• Physical well-being
• Social/relationships well-being
• Work/purpose/finance well-being
• Societal/community well-being
• Spiritual well-being

Perhaps each of us has a kind priority list of these categories. Some may not be so important to you. Others maybe essential. What do you think? Is the list of categories comprehensive? Anything missing?

Photographing Well-Being

I thought that I would contribute to this discussion photographically. So here are a few photos – many of which are on my walls at home – that reflect aspects of well-being for me. The header image reflects our role and part we hold within nature, and reminds me of a moment when I connected with unspoken knowing to another creature.