Happiness and Well-being in Turbulent Times 9 th December 2008 Centre for Confidence & Well-being, Glasgow Nic Mark

Happiness and Well-being in Turbulent Times 9th December 2008 Centre for Confidence & Well-being, Glasgow Nic Marks Founder of centre for well-being nef (the new economics foundation)

Turbulent Times? What do we mean by Well-being? The Foresight Project A Dynamic Model of Well-being Values and Well-being Five Ways to Well-being Happy Planet Index

What do we mean by “well-being”? Well-being = The quality of people’s experience of their lives WHO definition of health as: “A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely an absence of disease or infirmity”: 1946

What do we mean by “well-being”? Well-being = The quality of people’s experience of their lives WHO definition of health as: “A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely an absence of disease or infirmity”: 1946 dynamic

What do we mean by “well-being”? Well-being = The quality of people’s experience of their lives “Feeling good AND doing well” A 1960s definition of self-esteem…

The Foresight Project Sponsored by DIUS – Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills Two year project, reported in October 2008 Involved over 400 experts – neuroscience to economics

Mental Capital This encompasses a person’s cognitive and emotional resources. It includes their cognitive ability, how flexible and efficient they are at learning, and their “emotional intelligence”, such as their social skills and resilience in the face of stress. It therefore conditions how well an individual is able to contribute effectively to society, and also to experience a high personal quality of life. The idea of “capital” naturally sparks association with ideas of financial capital and it is both challenging and natural to think of the mind in this way.

Mental Well-Being This is a dynamic state, in which the individual is able to develop their potential, work productively and creatively, build strong and positive relationships with others, and contribute to their community. It is enhanced when an individual is able to fulfil their personal and social goals and achieve a sense of purpose in society.

The Foresight Project Main Findings: Early Intervention is crucial Small increases in well-being can produce a decrease in mental health problems Substantial scope for improving how to tackle the huge problem of mental ill-health – which costs £77 billion a year

A dynamic model of well-being Enabling conditions Psychological resources

A dynamic model of well-being Mental Capital Enabling conditions Psychological resources

A dynamic model of well-being Enabling conditions Psychological resources e.g. opportunities and obstacles, inequalities, social norms, culture e.g. resilience, optimism, self-esteem

A dynamic model of well-being Functioning well and satisfaction of needs Enabling conditions Psychological resources e.g. opportunities and obstacles, inequalities, social norms, culture e.g. resilience, optimism, self-esteem

A dynamic model of well-being e.g. to be autonomous, competent, and connected to others Functioning well and satisfaction of needs Enabling conditions Psychological resources e.g. opportunities and obstacles, inequalities, social norms, culture e.g. resilience, optimism, self-esteem

A dynamic model of well-being Experience of life e.g. to be autonomous, competent, and connected to others Functioning well and satisfaction of needs Enabling conditions Psychological resources e.g. opportunities and obstacles, inequalities, social norms, culture e.g. resilience, optimism, self-esteem

A dynamic model of well-being Experience of life Well-Being e.g. to be autonomous, competent, and connected to others Functioning well and satisfaction of needs Enabling conditions Psychological resources e.g. opportunities and obstacles, inequalities, social norms, culture e.g. resilience, optimism, self-esteem

A dynamic model of well-being Experience of life e.g. happiness, satisfaction, interest, boredom and distress e.g. to be autonomous, competent, and connected to others Functioning well and satisfaction of needs Enabling conditions Psychological resources e.g. opportunities and obstacles, inequalities, social norms, culture e.g. resilience, optimism, self-esteem

GDP and Life Satisfaction A Challenge to the Political Status Quo

Micro data: Widowhood and Well-being Year of Widowhood

Micro data: Divorce and Well-being Year of Divorce

Micro data: Marriages and Well-being

Diminishing marginal returnsof well-being to income

Income & Social Connections

Tim KASSER: values circumplex Reference: Grouzet, F., Kasser, T., Ahuvia, A., Fernández, J.M., Kim, Y., Lau, S., Ryan, R., Saunders, S., Schmuck, P., & Sheldon, K. (2005). The structure of goal contents across 15 cultures. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 89, 800-816.

Tim KASSER: values circumplex

Higher levels of: anxiety depression physical symptoms (e.g. sleeplessness, headaches) unpleasant emotions drug & alcohol use Lower levels of: vitality satisfaction with their lives pleasant emotions People with more extrinsicvalues have…

Less pro-social and more anti-social behaviour Less empathy for others Greater competitiveness Less inclination to shared & act generously And critically… higher ecological footprints and perform fewer positive environmental behaviors Report less concern for the environment People with more extrinsicvalues show…

And we’re moving in thewrong direction.. Be very well off financially Develop a meaningful philosophy of life

Five ways to well-being Commissioned by the Foresight Project – the brief was as below: Building on the findings of the draft outputs of the Mental Capacity and Wellbeing Project, Foresight would like to develop an evidence-based wellbeing equivalent of the health promotion dictum “five fruit and vegetables a day”.

A dynamic model of well-being Experience of life e.g. happiness, satisfaction, interest, boredom and distress e.g. to be autonomous, competent, and connected to others Functioning well and satisfaction of needs Enabling conditions Psychological resources e.g. opportunities and obstacles, inequalities, social norms, culture e.g. resilience, optimism, self-esteem

Five ways to well-being

Five ways to well-being Connect… With the people around you. With family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. At home, work, school or in your local community. Think of these as the cornerstones of your life and invest time in developing them. Building these connections will support and enrich you every day.

Five ways to well-being Be active… Go for a walk or run. Step outside. Cycle. Play a game. Garden. Dance. Exercising makes you feel good. Most importantly, discover a physical activity you enjoy and that suits your level of mobility and fitness.

Five ways to well-being Take notice… Be curious. Catch sight of the beautiful. Remark on the unusual. Notice the changing seasons. Savour the moment, whether you are walking to work, eating lunch or talking to friends. Be aware of the world around you and what you are feeling. Reflecting on your experiences will help you appreciate what matters to you.

Five ways to well-being Keep learning… Try something new. Rediscover an old interest. Sign up for that course. Take on a different responsibility at work. Fix a bike. Learn to play an instrument or how to cook your favourite food. Set a challenge you will enjoy achieving. Learning new things will make you more confident as well as being fun.

Five ways to well-being Give… Do something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Thank someone. Smile. Volunteer your time. Join a community group. Look out, as well as in. Seeing yourself, and your happiness, linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and creates connections with the people around you.

Happiness and Well-being in Turbulent Times 9 th December 2008 Centre for Confidence & Well-being, Glasgow Nic Mark