Measuring Wellbeing

Personal Wellbeing Measurement 

By: Niyati Roy

Measuring wellbeing in the population is difficult since health is so subjective and different individuals stress different aspects of personal wellbeing. Hence a national approach is to measure how many individuals are affected by a certain factor. For example one can keep track on: 

• The number of individuals with cancer
• The number of individuals who exercise on a daily basis
• Smoking or drinking levels 

Keeping track of the above factors allows government to discern morbidity levels and develop policies that promote personal wellbeing. However, wellbeing is a holistic concept that cannot be simply measured by graphs, charts and statistics. Ultimately, the individual should be measuring their own subjective wellbeing and ensuring that their everyday actions promote a fulfilling and enjoyable life. Individuals can track their own wellbeing through:

• Using mental health trackers 
• Tracking physical health through weight gain/loss changes 
• Regular medical tests 
• Organising get-togethers to maintain social health 
• Engaging in music therapy, art therapy or meditation to regulate mood 

References:

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/wellbeing#lp-h-4 

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