We can experience a variety of health depending on the situation around us. We can experience a variety of emotions at any moment, including happiness, sadness, excitement, and anger.
Like all emotions, happiness is only a temporary feeling. All emotions are fleeting and pass from moment to moment. It is more important to be happy in the present than to cultivate happiness.
Let’s discuss what wellness means and how happiness is part of our daily journey to well-being.
What is wellness?
Bill Hettler is the founder of National Wellness Institute. He defined wellness using a six-dimensional holistic model. This model consisted of six dimensions, including emotional, social and physical aspects, as well as intellectual, occupational and spiritual. The National Wellness Institute defines wellness as “a conscious, self-directed, and evolving process to achieve one’s maximum potential.” It’s positive, affirming and helps you live a healthy and long life.
The National Wellness Institute says that focusing on the six dimensions can help individuals to be healthy. According to this philosophy, an individual’s wellness is determined by their lifestyle choices and the social and environmental context in which they live. This approach takes a multi-dimensional holistic approach to living well and feeling good.
The American Psychological Association also defines well-being in the same way: “a state or happiness, contentment and low distress with good mental and physical health, outlook and quality of life”. This is not the momentary happiness we feel.
Are you interested in learning how to help clients develop sustainable, long-term behavior change? Check out our Certified Wellness Coach program, which covers topics ranging from daily habits to wellness.
What is happiness?
Happiness is a positive feeling that can be experienced in life. However, it is just one part of emotional wellbeing. Happiness is not a permanent state, but a fleeting moment.
An individual may be happy while enjoying a stroll outside, but not be in good health. A person can also be very angry when stuck in traffic, but still be in a good state of mind and lifestyle. While happiness is a positive emotion, it does not necessarily translate into reduced stress or a lasting, contented state.
This field of psychology shows that being well means more than simply experiencing happiness. This is a more comprehensive approach to wellbeing that promotes positivity and psychological well-being.
WHY IS PSYCHOLOGICAL WELLBEING SO IMPORTANT?
The psychological wellbeing is a key component to cultivating well-being every day. A person can be physically fit and eat healthy food every day, but still not “well” in terms of their mindset and self-talk. These aspects can lead to negative emotions, self destructive behaviors or long-term mental issues such as depression and anxiety.
Psychological wellbeing is important for these reasons. It’s just as essential as physical wellness practices such as eating well, exercising and sleeping. Rick Hanson, the author of Rewiring Happiness, says that individuals can rewire their beliefs and thoughts about daily experiences in order to focus on the positive, cultivate happiness and confidence.
Hanson believes, and shows in his book, that people can use neuroplasticity to enhance their resiliency and emotional wellbeing, as well as feelings of happiness and satisfaction. This tells us that we can improve our psychological well-being with time, which will continue to support and strengthen being well.
How to be aware of the differences
It is sometimes difficult to distinguish between the two. It is important to first distinguish between words that describe emotions such as happiness or sadness and those that describe a lasting state of well-being.
To become more aware, you should pay close attention to the emotions that you feel in the moment and the circumstances that led to them. Be mindful if it is a temporary situation. If the situation changes, notice if your emotions subside even a bit.
Observe and learn how you feel when the situation no longer occurs. You can ask yourself if simple daily experiences still bring you joy and contentment. Paying attention to your emotions and knowing what states remain constant can help you distinguish between being happy and feeling well.
Where can personal trainers work?
Personal trainers have a wide range of job options and locations. The list can include, but not be limited to, large gyms and small gyms; personal training studios; fitness boot camp franchises; corporate offices, schools; resorts/hotels; hospitals/clinics. You should weigh the pros of each job type depending on your goals for your fitness career.
It may be easier for you to get a full-time job at a large gym, but there are better mentoring opportunities at a smaller fitness studio. You may also want to decide if you would prefer to work with high-school athletes or older adults with complex medical health. There are many options and opportunities.
Fitness professionals have never had a better job outlook. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), the fitness industry will grow between 2021 and 2030, increasing demand for certified personal training by 19%. The demand for certified fitness professionals will rise by 58,000 in the years to 2031, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
How can I become a personal trainer?
If you want to be a personal trainer, you need the right education and training. It may be tempting to skip this step if you’re a seasoned gym-goer or athlete, but successful and skilled personal trainers possess a deep understanding of exercise physiology and human movement science. It is science-based to develop training programs and teach proper exercise techniques. These concepts must be learned and practiced.
Many organizations will claim to offer a legitimate certification for personal trainers, but these programs are not accredited and won’t be accepted by employers.clients’ homes, or even out of your garage. It is important to weigh the pros and cons of each of these job types depending on what you are looking to achieve with your fitness career.
SUMMARY
Happiness is a good emotion, but it’s not enough. It is more important to focus on your health. Cultivating an active lifestyle that includes all six dimensions will create a state of long-lasting well-being and enhance positive experiences.
