Does Wellbeing really matter?
The word ‘wellbeing’ has become a hot topic over recent years and can be seen in many places in our everyday lives. It is on advertisements, mission statements, medicines and food products. Is it just the latest buzzword or does it really matter?
There are many definitions for the term wellbeing; there is even confusion over whether we should use the term well-being, well being or wellbeing! But it is certainly more than a trendy buzzword. For some, wellbeing (which is what we use at ISP), is simply the absence of disease or ill-health, whilst the World Health Organisation define wellbeing as “a state in which the individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully and is able to make a contribution to his or her own community.”?
Taken in its simplest form, wellbeing means we are feeling good and able to function effectively, whether in our lessons, at work, or in our leisure time.
What is certainly true is that research into wellbeing has shown that those with higher levels of wellbeing are more sociable and energetic, more charitable and cooperative, and better liked by others. They are more resilient, have better immune systems and as a result are more healthy and more productive.
This certainly puts a case for the fact that wellbeing does matter and we should all be looking to improve our own wellbeing, but how can this be achieved in our busy schedules? Dr. Martin Seligman, from the University of Pennsylvania, one of the world's leading authorities on positive psychology, suggests we can improve our wellbeing by:
Whilst teams and organisations can work to improve wellbeing from a corporate perspective, it is individuals who have the power to really improve their own wellbeing through the above. The benefits for all, individual and team are undoubtedly positive.
At ISP, we believe that wellbeing is intrinsic to our vision to facilitate a thriving school community where all individuals can flourish and positively impact the world around them. We explicitly have a mission to place wellbeing at the heart of our daily endeavours.?
As many know, we are striving to demonstrate this commitment through attaining the Wellbeing Award for Schools, and our Wellbeing Strategy outlines how as a school we want to embed wellbeing and develop a model of positive education.
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We have recently drafted our own ISP definition for wellbeing:??
A sustainable state of positive mood, resilience, self-satisfaction and relationships. Good wellbeing can be observed in individuals who can flourish, are physically and mentally happy, who can focus on the task in hand, and who can deal with challenges that occur.
This will help us focus our work in gaining the Wellbeing for Schools accreditation and ensuring wellbeing is a major aspect of our daily work. It will also help as we work towards a positive education model in the school.?
Wellbeing means so many different things to so many people; from being able to head to the shopping mall on a Saturday to going for your weekly cycle ride; spending a week on your favourite island to settling down with a good book; spending a day in the park with your children or playing your favourite game. Whatever develops your positive emotions and grows your accomplishments is wellbeing for you.?
So, does wellbeing really matter? At ISP it certainly does.
Gary Crick
Head of Learning Support & Designated Safeguarding Lead
Wellbeing Change Team Lead