Longevity, Physical & Mental Health: Psychological Well-Being
Mental well-being is one of the key determinants of physical health and longevity potential. Recent studies show that stress and psychological discomfort increase the intensity of the basic aging processes [1,2].
We have recently published a research piece about an AI-guided system that is intended to improve long-term mental well-being and you can already test it on futurself.ai
There are many ways to define “well-being” and the web service we developed features the scale developed by Carol Ryff in 1980s [3,4]. It defines mental well-being in six aspects:
- Self-acceptance;
- Personal growth;
- Purpose in life;
- Environmental mastery;
- Autonomy;
- Positive relations with others.
Through self-reported questionnaires on these aspects, a comprehensive assessment is done using deep learning algorithms. Their output is then used to define what areas of life we are struggling in and what we can do to change them.
To understand how to use Ryff’s work in our lives, let’s break down each of the six factors and examine what it could look like in our own lives.
Self-Acceptance
Self-acceptance is one key goal in overall wellness. A person who scores high in self-acceptance can see their flaws and use their strengths to balance them. They have peace with who they are and can heal and grow. They accept change and manage their emotions and actions well.
When a person has low self-acceptance, they will be critical of themselves and others. They will feel deep discomfort about their perceived flaws and have little or no insight into how to use what strengths to balance them. With low acceptance, there is often distress about who they are and their lives.
To grow in self-acceptance, a slow process of accepting what can be changed and what cannot, is a great way to find peace. By focusing on what they have control over, a person can let go of the anxiety about expectations, perceptions, and unhealthy standards that they cannot meet.
Personal Growth
Scoring high in personal growth shows one is open to new experiences and excited to grow and learn. You may feel afraid to try new things, but you do it anyway. You are always looking for ways to develop yourself and learn about new and exciting things.
Being low in personal growth usually indicates close-mindedness and being hesitant to try new things. It may be a sign that one is stuck in a routine and have little or no new experiences in your life. This is a zone of feeling anxious, having negative thoughts, and being afraid, which may stop you from moving out of your comfort zone.
It can be challenging to change personal growth. It takes courage, but it also happens one step at a time. Surrounding oneself with new things to learn about and experiences helps normalize the negative feelings making them less intimidating. Allowing oneself to feel the excitement in doing new things can help with fearfulness and the negative “what-ifs.”
Purpose In Life
Everyone needs a purpose in life to have fulfillment. A person who scores high on the meaning of life knows what they want and that opportunities are everywhere. They are open and willing to fail to succeed, and they are motivated to make their own way forward and are excited by new challenges.
A person with low scores in purpose in life may struggle to know what to do in life. This impacts careers, life goals, and satisfaction with their lives. They may feel adrift or envious of others who have a solid idea of what they want.
Not every person’s purpose in life is flashy or exciting, but it will most likely feel like that to them at times. Evaluating what you are good at, what you find exciting, and what skills you have will help you narrow down your purpose in life. Being open to opportunities also allows people to find their purpose and meaning.
Environmental Mastery
Do you know how to best navigate the things you need in your community? If you know where the resources are, how to talk to the person who can help you, and easily find what you are looking for in your environment, you may score high in environmental mastery.
Scoring low in environmental mastery can look like difficulties accessing resources around you, struggling to know who to talk to about what you need, and anxiety about interacting with your environment. It’s challenging to find your way without a community around you, so if you are a person who hasn’t mastered your environment, you may feel isolated and have anxiety about the world around you.
Learning about your community, interacting regularly, and knowing where to go to find what you need are great ways to improve your environmental mastery. Volunteering and giving back encourage personal growth and knowledge of your environment, and there is an added bonus of enhancing positive relations with others.
Autonomy
Autonomy means confidence to make decisions and adhere to your own counsel. A person with high autonomy won’t need the opinions of others to solve problems. They are well-versed in their values and views, and they measure every twist and turn in life against them. With high autonomy, there is a high level of independence and accountability.
With low scores in autonomy, a person will struggle to make confident decisions; they may regret their choices and blame others for their own problem-solving errors. With low independence, there is a low level of autonomy in action and thought, making it hard for them to be accountable for themselves. They will have low confidence and be unfamiliar with their own world views.
One can build autonomy by diving into who they are, what they want, and setting realistic goals. As they achieve their goals, their confidence will grow, and they will be able to independently make decisions with little regret and no blaming. Focusing on healthy boundaries is another way to build autonomy.
Positive Relations With Others
When you score high in positive relations, you will be someone that people know that they can count on. You will have healthy reciprocal relationships with others and feel fulfilled in your social life. Communication and connection play a part in this, so knowing how to be a healthy communicator is critical.
If you are low in positive relations with others, you may have unfulfilling, unhealthy, or draining relationships. You may feel lonely often or isolated, and your social life will leave a lot to be desired. If you struggle with communication and connecting, this will play a part in how you feel about the relationships in your life.
To improve your relationships, focus on what you are putting into them. Evaluating where you are spending your energy in relationships will tell you how balanced they are. If you are giving more than you are receiving, this can lead to a one-sided relationship dynamic. Similarly, if you are always waiting for others to reach out, you will have to change your communication and connection strategies to build healthier relationships.
Each of the six factors is important for wellness and longevity in life. Focusing on improving the ones that are lower in your life can make a huge difference in how you feel when you stop and look at yourself and your life. Having high scores in the six factors means that you feel good about who you are in the world and where you are going. Keep in mind that you can take small steps to improve any area you may be struggling with by regularly making small changes.
We have created FuturSelf to help you on your journey of self-improvement. Try it now to better understand who you are and what you can do to live a happier and more fulfilling life.
