Well Being

At first thought my definition of well being was simply well physically, without sickness and or pain. It wasn't until this class that I learned the true meaning of well being and that there are more indicators than just physical or health. According to Miriam Webster, "Well-Being is the state of being the state of being happy, healthy, or prosperous." MSN Encarta says "Well being is having good fortune or health.

Emotional well-being, like physical health, can be judged on a variety of dimensions. Yet, in both realms, it is difficult to say which of these dimensions are essential for overall well-being. Can I say that I am in good physical shape because I am free of disease, or must I also have an abundance of energy and a great deal of strength? Do I have emotional well-being if I am free from depression, or must I have a positive opinion of my self and my life?

In January I started to embark on the journey of a lifetime, my first pregnancy. This if nothing else put my well being into perspective. My first initial reaction was that of shock, for quite sometime I had become convinced that I would never have children. I wanted children but I was sure that out of all my sisters and brothers I would be unfruitful, yet here I was standing in my bathroom staring at this pregnancy test and wondering what type of mother I would possibly be. While I am not by rich by any means I'm not exactly poor. I feel like I am doing pretty well financially but there is a desire to make more and to become more successful. From time to time there is a struggle to pay certain bills and there are things that I would like to have that I don't at the present time. I'm totally concerned with it at this point. My overall attitude emotionally has changed in recent months which I believe is common for someone in my condition. I think one of the biggest factors is the change in my physical appearance. Prior to my pregnancy, I had started somewhat of a physical fitness campaign and had begun to work out quite frequently as well as change my eating habits. I was beginning to see results and had become quite pleased with my accomplishments when I found out about my pregnancy. As I advance, I have become very self conscience and unhappy with my appearance, mainly the drastic weight gain. I have found that I often rely on my fiancй for support even though I would rather discuss a great deal of my issues with my girlfriends I feel as if they just wouldn't understand.

"When emotionally significant events occur, some individuals readily turn to others for support. Yet for others the act of sharing emotional concerns can be threatening or even viewed as a sign of weakness or inadequacy. Further, even for those who are willing to rely on others, there are some social partners with whom they would be reluctant to share feelings and others whom they might readily seek out for emotional support." (Ryan, LaGuardia 1). For the most part I am in good mood but more recently I have been in a particularly bad disposition.

I think it has a great deal to do with the amount of commitments that I have at this time. Juggling school, work, and home as well a really tough first trimester has taken quite a toll on me emotionally as well as physically.

I believe that my personal situation is greatly influenced by physical factors as well as social conditions. At this particular point I can't really say that one has more of a greater impact than the other. There is a great deal of things going on in my life at the moment and although I try to avoid it as much as possible I still feel totally stressed. I feel as if I am being pulled in a number of directions. In the National Population Health Survey personal stress was defined as: trying to take on too much at once; feeling pressure to be like other people; feeling that others expect too much; feeling that your work around the home is not appreciated; and feeling that others are too critical of you. In 1994/95 (the most recent data available), 45% of women aged 18 or older reported that they were trying to do too much at once; While only 38% of men felt this way. "Work, family and social commitments often contribute to a sense of time pressure, feeling that one has not met others expectations and feeling unappreciated. The resulting stress can influence the onset and progression of physical illness and diminish one's feeling of well being."