Let’s stop and think for a minute. What do you want?
What do you want and hope for – for yourself, for your family and your community? What do you want for the future of our country? What does a good life mean to you?
Maybe you want security in retirement and a bit of money left over to travel. Maybe you want to spend more time with your kids. Or maybe you want less stress and more time to relax.
Many studies have asked parents what they want most for their kids – the overwhelming answer is always “happiness.” Not money, or a nice car, or big house. Just happiness. Yet, for as long as modern Western governments have existed, amassing wealth has been the primary measure that most countries have used to determine success and social progress. If Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased year on year, our leaders have jovially patted themselves on the backs for a job well done. And while that worked for a while, with wellbeing increasing in line with GDP for most of the 20th century, at a certain point in a country’s economic development, the focus on GDP stops yielding as many benefits for its people.
The recently released annual Herald/Age-Lateral Economics Wellbeing Index, shows Australians have suffered negative impacts to their wellbeing during the coronavirus crisis. These impacts are largely overlooked by traditional economic indicators, however the Herald/Age index looks at more than just GDP. It includes changes in education, health, work life, social inequality and environmental degradation. And the results for overall Australian wellbeing are not good, showing a decline in Australian’s wellbeing during the pandemic worth an estimated $13.3 billion.
That’s $13.3 BILLION! It’s clear that the measure of GDP alone does not tell the full story of Australian wealth, for what is wealth if we don’t have the health to enjoy it?
Sadly, these declines in health and wellbeing are not new. Our society needs a new way to achieve (and measure) wellbeing and social progress. To combat rising obesity and mental health issues, we need to prioritise wellbeing and provide easier access to wellbeing activities and initiatives for all Australian citizens. Quite simply, every Australian neighbourhood needs a wellbeing hub, so we can all achieve happier, healthier lives.
What do we mean by “wellbeing”?
Wellbeing is a multi-faceted concept which encompasses our mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. It includes:
- Meaning and purpose – having meaning and purpose in your life, which is often tied to a strong sense of identity and self. This is about having autonomy and agency to do the things you love and also having something to get you out of bed in the morning, and about having goals, plans and commitments.
- Community and connection – having strong relationships, building community and connection. Do you have a core group of people you can talk to and depend on? Are you building a wider community network, through activities like church or regular volunteering?
- Physical health – are you getting outside, exercising, eating well, sleeping well?
- Mental health – do you prioritise your mental health? Do you practice kindness and gratitude? Do you manage negative thoughts, and do you actively work on your resilience, stress and positive mental health? Do you have control over your emotions or seek help when needed?
If you’re thinking you already don’t have enough time in your day/week/month, don’t fret. Thankfully there are many activities that bring all or some of the above elements together in one.
Wellbeing is also about balance. It’s about investing in the above activities and outcomes so they can balance out the challenges. The more coins we put into our piggy bank when times are good, the better we weather challenges when times are bad.
Charting a way forward: wellbeing hubs
Early in the positive psychology movement, researchers discovered that happier and healthier people perform better at school, work and… well… life more broadly. In response to this research, many schools launched Wellbeing Hubs to teach and support students’ wellbeing.
In Australia, for instance, the Australian Student Wellbeing Framework supports Australian schools to promote positive relationships and the wellbeing of students and educators within safe, inclusive and connected learning communities. The Framework was endorsed by Australia’s Ministers of Education and is based on evidence that demonstrates the strong association between safety, wellbeing and learning. To help achieve this goal, the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment provides school and teacher wellbeing resources, such as podcasts, lesson plans and information via their the Student Wellbeing Hub website.
The site says:
“Wellbeing is a multi-faceted concept involving much more than just physical health. It’s a combination of a person’s emotional, mental and social health and it also reflects how they feel about themselves and their life in general. Wellbeing is linked to improved academic achievement, enhanced mental health and responsible life choices. Helping students to feel connected and engaged in their learning, and collaborating effectively with parents, will enable students to develop the social and emotional skills to grow into happy, respectful, well-balanced and successful members of their school and wider community.”
While schools are leading the way, unfortunately the rest of society has been slower to get on board. So what’s the answer for everyone else? Community wellbeing hubs.
In 2013, father of positive psychology Dr. Martin Seligman spend a year in South Australia as the Thinker in Residence. During his time there, he challenged South Australia to position itself as a world-leading State of wellbeing. In response, the SA Government launched the ‘State of Wellbeing’ Change@SA 90 Day Project and resulting program of work, which aims to “provide all South Australians with the supports and resources they need to manage challenges, grasp opportunities, achieve their personal and collective goals, and flourish.”
At the time, then Premier Jay Weatherill said the SA Government recognised the strong link between the wellbeing of its citizens and communities and the economic prosperity of the state. “Wellbeing is more than psychological health. Our government, non-government sectors and community are playing crucial roles in supporting a vast range of programs, policies, resources and facilities that contribute to personal, community and societal wellbeing,” he said.
Not long after, Wellbeing SA partnered with the City of Playford and Naracoorte Lucindale Council to co-invest in local Wellbeing Hubs. These hubs deliver a range of wellbeing initiatives to support community physical, mental and social wellbeing. In Canberra, a Wellbeing Hub was recently launched by to Minister Stephen-Smith who helped plant seedlings for their Growing healthy kids program. The Wellbeing Hub – which has physical and virtual programs – supports locals to enjoy physical and mental health, have strong social connections, participate in their communities and feel safe.
Around the world, wellbeing hubs are popping up to combat the challenges of the 21st century – bringing people together to build community, providing opportunities to find meaning, learn and grow, and encouraging active healthy lifestyles. With a $13.3 billion impact to our wellbeing due to Covid (and it’s impacts to our activity levels, loneliness and mental health), it’s time for these wellbeing hubs to be set up across the country.
How will you get involved in making it happen?
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