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Well-Being Versus Happiness

Well-Being Versus Happiness

When you hear the word “sustainable,” what does it make you think of? I’m guessing it conjures up words like “green” “eco-friendly,” “agriculture,” and “food.” But have you ever heard of sustainable well-being?
 
ScienceAlert, a publication hailing from Australia and New Zealand, discusses the idea of sustainable development and how this affects human happiness and human well-being. Is there a difference between these two? According to the article, “We use the term ‘well-being’ when someone is able to claim they live a ‘a good life.’ Happiness, on the other hand, is a state of mind that is strongly influenced by the extent to which expectations or aspirations have been met.”
 
Further research is needed to see how well-being and happiness are achieved, and what factors (health, income, living standards, etc.) contribute more than others. Reflecting on your own life and status, can you make a claim for having well-being, happiness or a little bit of both?

Posted: 8/31/08