Five Ways To Well-being

Dementia or not, well-being is important for all of us.

While our definitions of well-being may vary, it is often tied to a sense of positivity—whether through moments of joy, connection, purpose, or inner peace. Well-being isn’t just about feeling happy; it also involves resilience, meaning, and the ability to navigate life’s challenges with balance.

In 2008 (Aked et al.), the New Economics Foundation introduced the concept of the five ways to well-being. They defined well-being as having two key elements: feeling good (experiencing happiness, curiosity, and joy) and functioning well (having a sense of control over one’s life and maintaining good relationships). Based on the empirical knowledge at the time, they outlined five simple actions that can bring you closer to well-being.

I appreciate this concept because these actions are easy to implement, no matter where you are. As a care partner, you can practice them for yourself—because your well-being matters. You may also find ways to integrate them into daily life with your loved one, helping to enhance their well-being while strengthening your relationship.

What do you think about these five ways to well-being? How many do you implement every day? Is there one you prefer? Or one you find most challenging? Let me know in the comment section! :)