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Happiness and Wellbeing Notes

Happiness is a positive emotional state characterized by joy and fulfillment, influenced by both external and internal factors, and can be categorized into hedonic (pleasure-driven) and eudaimonic (meaning-driven) types. Wellbeing encompasses overall health and functioning across various dimensions, including physical, mental, social, and spiritual aspects, and is essential for a fulfilling life. The document also discusses models like PERMA and EQ, which highlight the importance of emotional intelligence and the components of subjective wellbeing.

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23 views7 pages

Happiness and Wellbeing Notes

Happiness is a positive emotional state characterized by joy and fulfillment, influenced by both external and internal factors, and can be categorized into hedonic (pleasure-driven) and eudaimonic (meaning-driven) types. Wellbeing encompasses overall health and functioning across various dimensions, including physical, mental, social, and spiritual aspects, and is essential for a fulfilling life. The document also discusses models like PERMA and EQ, which highlight the importance of emotional intelligence and the components of subjective wellbeing.

Uploaded by

Muskan Singh
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Happiness and wellbeing definition and explanation

Happiness – Definition & Explanation

Definition:
Happiness is a positive emotional state characterized by feelings of joy, satisfaction,
contentment, and fulfillment.

Explanation:
Happiness is often considered a subjective experience, meaning it's based on how a person
feels about their life at a given moment or over time. It can be influenced by both external
events (like getting a promotion, spending time with friends) and internal factors (such as
gratitude, mindset, or personality). Psychologists often describe two types of happiness:

Hedonic happiness: Pleasure-driven; focused on enjoyment and the absence of


discomfort.
Eudaimonic happiness: Meaning-driven; comes from living a life aligned with values,
purpose, and personal growth.

Wellbeing – Definition & Explanation

Definition:
Wellbeing refers to a state of overall health, comfort, and happiness. It reflects how well an
individual is functioning physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially.

Explanation:
Wellbeing is holistic—it includes many areas of life and is more stable over time compared to
momentary happiness. It's not just about “feeling good,” but also about “functioning well.”
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), wellbeing is “a state in which every
individual realizes their own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work
productively and fruitfully, and is able to contribute to their community.”

Dimensions of Wellbeing often include:

1. Physical wellbeing – having good health and energy.


2. Mental wellbeing – having clarity, low stress, emotional resilience.
3. Social wellbeing – having supportive relationships and a sense of belonging.
4. Occupational wellbeing – feeling fulfilled and valued in one’s work.
5. Spiritual wellbeing – having a sense of purpose, meaning, and connection.
6. Environmental wellbeing – living in a safe, clean, and supportive environment.

What are Dimensions of Wellbeing?


Main Dimensions of Wellbeing (Explained Simply):
1. Physical Wellbeing
Definition: Taking care of your body to stay healthy and active.
Includes: Exercise, good nutrition, enough sleep, regular health checkups.
2. Mental or Emotional Wellbeing
Definition: The ability to handle emotions, stress, and challenges in a healthy way.
Includes: Self-esteem, managing anxiety, emotional awareness, positive mindset.
3. Social Wellbeing
Definition: Having strong, meaningful relationships and a sense of belonging.
Includes: Friendships, family support, social activities, community connection.
4. Spiritual Wellbeing
Definition: Finding purpose, meaning, and connection beyond the material.
Includes: Values, beliefs, mindfulness, inner peace, or religious faith.
5. Intellectual Wellbeing
Definition: Keeping your brain active and engaged through learning and creativity.
Includes: Reading, problem-solving, skill development, curiosity.
6. Occupational (or Career) Wellbeing
Definition: Satisfaction and enrichment through your work or daily activities.
Includes: Work-life balance, purpose in work, growth opportunities.
7. Environmental Wellbeing
Definition: Living in harmony with your surroundings and taking care of nature.
Includes: Clean and safe environment, sustainability, access to green spaces.
8. Financial Wellbeing
Definition: Managing your money wisely to reduce stress and achieve goals.
Includes: Budgeting, saving, financial security, responsible spending.

Why it matters:
Just like a wheel needs all spokes to be strong to roll smoothly, a person needs balance in all
these dimensions to live a fulfilling and healthy life.

Hedonic & Eudaimonic Happiness


1. Hedonic Happiness

Definition:
Hedonic happiness is the type of happiness that comes from pleasure, enjoyment, and the
avoidance of pain. It focuses on feeling good in the moment.

Explanation:
It’s about satisfying desires and getting instant gratification—like eating your favorite
dessert, relaxing on vacation, or binge-watching your favorite show.
Think of it as the "fun and feel-good" side of happiness.

Key Features:

Focus on pleasure and comfort


Avoidance of pain or discomfort
Short-term emotional highs
Often linked to material rewards and sensory pleasures

2. Eudaimonic Happiness

Definition:
Eudaimonic happiness is the deeper sense of fulfillment that comes from living a meaningful
life, being true to yourself, and reaching your full potential.

Explanation:
It’s about doing things that align with your values and purpose—even if they don’t bring
immediate pleasure. This could include helping others, learning new skills, or working hard
toward long-term goals.
Think of it as the "purposeful and meaningful" side of happiness.

Key Features:

Focus on meaning and purpose


Personal growth and self-actualization
Long-term wellbeing
Often linked to contribution, creativity, and authenticity

Self-Actualization – Definition & Explanation


Definition:
Self-actualization is the process of realizing and fulfilling your full potential—becoming the
best version of yourself by using your talents, pursuing your passions, and living with purpose
and authenticity.

self-actualization is the highest level of psychological development that can be achieved


after more basic needs (like food, safety, love, and esteem) are satisfied.

Self-actualized people:

Know who they are and accept themselves


Are creative and open-minded
Seek growth, not perfection
Live with a sense of purpose
Value truth, goodness, and beauty

Examples of Self-Actualization in Action:

An artist creating work that expresses their deepest thoughts


A teacher inspiring students beyond textbooks
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (Top to Bottom):

1. 💡
Self-Actualization (becoming your best self) ← Top level
2. Esteem needs (confidence, respect)
3. Love and belonging (relationships, connection)
4. Safety needs (security, health)
5. Physiological needs (food, water, shelter) ← Basic survival

PERMA MODEL
PERMA Model – Definition and Explanation

Definition:
The PERMA model, developed by Martin Seligman, is a psychological framework that explains
the five key elements that contribute to a person's overall happiness and wellbeing. The
model is part of Positive Psychology and focuses on helping individuals lead a fulfilling,
meaningful, and flourishing life.

📘 Explanation of PERMA Elements:


1. P – Positive Emotion:
Experiencing pleasant emotions such as joy, gratitude, love, and hope.
It helps improve mood and builds optimism for the future.
Example: Feeling happy after achieving a small goal.
2. E – Engagement:
Being fully absorbed and involved in activities.
This state is often called “flow,” where time seems to disappear due to deep focus.
Example: Getting deeply involved in painting, coding, or playing music.
3. R – Relationships:
Having strong, healthy, and supportive relationships with others.
Positive social connections increase resilience and life satisfaction.
Example: Spending quality time with friends and family.
4. M – Meaning:
Having a purpose in life and feeling connected to something larger than oneself.
It gives a sense of direction and fulfillment.
Example: Volunteering, working towards a cause, or practicing spirituality.
5. A – Accomplishment:
The drive to achieve goals, improve oneself, and succeed in life.
It boosts self-confidence and motivation.
Example: Completing a course, winning a competition, or learning a new skill.

📝 Conclusion (for exams):


The PERMA model provides a comprehensive understanding of wellbeing that goes beyond
temporary happiness. It helps individuals focus on long-term personal growth, strong social
bonds, and a meaningful life—leading to true psychological wellbeing.

EQ Model – Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman


Definition:
Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is the ability to recognize, understand, manage, and express
emotions effectively, both in oneself and in others. It helps individuals handle interpersonal
relationships wisely and empathetically.

The concept was popularized by psychologist Daniel Goleman, who proposed a model with
five core components that contribute to emotional intelligence.

📘 Five Key Components of the EQ Model:


1. Self-Awareness
The ability to understand one’s own emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.
It helps a person recognize their emotional triggers and stay conscious of how their
emotions affect others.
Example: Realizing you are nervous before a presentation and preparing accordingly.
2. Self-Regulation
The ability to manage and control one’s emotional responses, especially in stressful or
challenging situations.
It includes staying calm, thinking before acting, and being adaptable.
Example: Controlling anger during an argument and responding thoughtfully.
3. Motivation
Having an inner drive to pursue goals with energy and persistence, beyond external
rewards like money or fame.
Emotionally intelligent people are usually self-motivated and committed.
Example: Staying determined to complete a task even when facing obstacles.
4. Empathy
The capacity to understand and share the feelings of others.
It involves being sensitive to the emotions, needs, and concerns of others.
Example: Comforting a friend who is going through a tough time.
5. Social Skills
The ability to build and maintain healthy relationships, communicate effectively, and
manage conflicts.
It includes teamwork, leadership, and influencing others in a positive way.
Example: Working well in a team and resolving misunderstandings peacefully.

🌟 Conclusion:
The EQ model by Daniel Goleman emphasizes the importance of understanding and
managing emotions to lead a balanced and successful life. Emotional intelligence plays a vital
role in personal wellbeing, strong relationships, and effective leadership. In today's world,
EQ is considered as important as IQ, especially in social and professional settings.
Hedonic vs Eudaimonic Happiness

Subjective Wellbeing (SWB) – Definition and Explanation


Definition:
Subjective Wellbeing (SWB) refers to how people experience and evaluate their own lives,
including both emotional reactions and cognitive judgments like life satisfaction.

It is called "subjective" because it is based on a person’s own perception of their happiness


and life quality, not on external or objective measures.

📘 Components of Subjective Wellbeing (SWB):


1. Life Satisfaction
A cognitive evaluation of one’s life as a whole.
Example: “Am I satisfied with the way my life is going?”
2. Positive Affect
The frequency of positive emotions such as joy, excitement, or contentment.
Example: How often do you feel happy, calm, or grateful?
3. Negative Affect
The frequency of negative emotions like sadness, anger, or anxiety.
Example: How often do you feel stressed or irritated?

A person with high SWB tends to be satisfied with life, feels more positive emotions, and
experiences fewer negative emotions.
📝 Conclusion:
Subjective Wellbeing is an important part of mental health and happiness. It helps
psychologists understand how people feel about their lives, and it plays a big role in positive
psychology, workplace wellbeing, and life satisfaction studies.

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