Healthways, a global well-being company, teamed with Gallup to compile the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. The definition of well-being they use is as follows: While happiness is transitory, well-being is sustained physical, emotional, and social health. The Well-Being Index includes six domains: Life Evaluation, Physical Health, Emotional Health, Healthy Behavior, Work Environment, and Basic Access. These six domains can be broken down into three main categories: work, health, and relationships.
USA Today asked Healthways to cull from its data what contributes to high well-being for the largest demographic in America today – women between the ages of 45 and 55. Someone who may be said to enjoy a high level of well-being may relate to many of the following descriptors. (See the full checklist here.)
Work:
College degree, some graduate school, professional or executive class
Family income of $120,000+
Commute under 10 minutes
Professional full-time job
Health:
Good physical and emotional health
BMI (body mass index) under 30
Exercise 30-45 minutes, 6 days a week
Relationships:
Married and never divorced
2 children (gives birth between ages 27-36)
No caregiving for young children or sickly parents, in-laws, spouse
Has 4-12 intimate friends
Some people may aspire to achieve a higher level of well-being. The three categories of work, health, and relationships may serve as a working guide and helpful starting point for those who are interested in increasing their level of well-being.
We encourage our readers to respond in the comments about their level of well-being, and what areas they plan to focus on achieving a higher level in this new year.
