Keys to greater personal well-being

The variability in levels of well-being among individuals, even in the face of similar life circumstances, suggests that certain internal factors and personal choices play a determining role.

There are differentiating elements that explain why some individuals are able to maintain or achieve a higher degree of satisfaction and fulfillment in their lives.

Cultivation of Wellness Components

A crucial factor is a person's ability to consciously cultivate the elements that make up holistic wellness.

These include those described in theoretical models of positive psychology, such as the PERMA model, which encompasses positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning and achievement.

This cultivation can be done deliberately, with an explicit knowledge of these elements and a targeted effort to develop them.

Or, it can occur in a more intuitive and unconscious way, where the person, through his or her habits and life choices, puts these principles into practice without necessarily conceptualizing them formally.

Regardless of whether the process is conscious or not, the result is a life richer in positive experiences and a greater sense of overall satisfaction.

Those who actively or by natural disposition engage in activities that generate positive emotions, are committed to their tasks and maintain healthy relationships.

In addition, they find meaning in what they do and achieve goals, which leads them to report higher levels of well-being.

The Role of Willpower

Willpower emerges as a second differentiating element of great importance.

It is defined as the intrinsically human capacity to decide with freedom and determination what one wants and what one does not want, and to act accordingly.

In the face of adversity, sadness or depression, the will allows the person to choose whether to remain anchored in pain and suffering or, on the contrary, to move forward, learn from experience and progress.

It is crucial to understand that pain is an inevitable part of life, a "first crush" in the face of difficulties.

However, prolonged suffering is, in many cases, a choice influenced by the will.

The decision not to resign oneself, not to victimize oneself and to learn from difficult situations, in spite of the initial pain, is an act of will that drives towards overcoming and greater well-being.

No professional or external advice can replace this internal decision; in the end, it is up to the individual to decide whether to move forward or remain in stagnation.

The Influence of Attitude

Closely linked to will, attitude represents the way in which a person is willing to behave or act in the face of circumstances or others.

While the will is the decision to act or not (e.g., deciding to move forward in spite of pain), the attitude is the "how" one deals with that decision and the subsequent process.

It is possible, for example, to decide to move forward (will) but to do so with a negative attitude, full of complaints, criticism or resentment, which will undermine well-being.

Instead, cultivating a positive attitude towards life, even in the midst of difficulty, allows us to manage situations in a much more constructive and healthy way.

The combination of a strong will to move forward and a positive attitude to face the road are key to achieving and maintaining a high level of emotional, mental and physical well-being in the face of adversity.