Week 9 Well-being

Remaining Schedule

  • Today :

    • Well-being

    • In-class exercise 9

    • Course evaluation (November 28th)

    • Ethics

    • Exam review

Course Deadlines

  • November 27th:

    • Presentation due

  • December 5th:

    • Final exam

  • December 6th:

    • Evaluate two other group presentations

Consumer Well-being

Mental Health

  • Definition: State of psychological well-being.

  • Perspectives: Various theories (Ryff, Diener, Seligman, Ryan & Deci).

Benefits of Mental Health

  • Performance:

    • Improved efficiency at work, school, and sports.

  • Relationships:

    • Increased cooperation and prosocial behavior.

  • Physical Health:

    • Stronger immune system; fewer illnesses and lower mortality risk.

  • Recovery:

    • Faster recovery rates and fewer sleep problems.

  • Resilience:

    • Better self-regulation and coping abilities.

Mental Health Crisis Stats

  • Anxiety Disorders: 31.9% of adolescents estimated to suffer from anxiety disorders.

  • Onset: 96% of mental health problems begin during childhood or adolescence.

  • Peer Perception: 70% of teenagers report anxiety and depression as primary concerns among peers.

  • Depression Risk: 3.2 million Canadian teenagers at risk of developing depression.

  • Suicide Rate: Second leading cause of death among youth (ages 10-24).

Common Mental Health Struggles

  • Postnatal Depression: Notable among successful individuals (e.g., Serena Williams, Jim Carrey).

  • Anxiety and Depression: Misunderstood and stigmatized issues.

  • Temporary Nature: Mental health struggles can be common and often temporary.

Building Resilience

  • Psychological and Physical Struggles: Develop resilience and grit (Duckworth).

  • Purpose from Struggles: Seeking uncomfortable challenges can promote long-term well-being (Csikszentmihalyi, 1975).

  • Mental Injuries: Can create 'superpowers' by fostering resilience and adaptation.

Buying Well-being

Wellness Consumption

  • Market Value: Global wellness market projected at $1.8 trillion by 2024.

  • Wearables: 50% have purchased fitness wearables; 75% plan to use more.

  • Biohacking Trends: Involves supplements, energy drinks, wellness tourism, etc.

  • Wellness Travel: Estimated to reach $1.63 trillion by 2027.

Dark Side of Consumption

  • Happiness vs. Pleasure:

    • Long-term happiness is distinct from short-term pleasure derived from materialism and personal indulgences.

  • Social Media Use:

    • Active vs. passive use impacts well-being.

  • Lifestyle Choices:

    • Comparison of healthy habits (diet, exercise) vs. harmful behaviors (gambling, junk food).

Creating Well-being

Subjective Well-being (Diener)

  • Dimensions:

    • Affective: Balance of positive vs. negative emotions.

    • Eudaimonic: Realization of personal potential and achievements.

    • Evaluative: Life satisfaction.

Psychological Well-being (Ryff)

  • Components:

    • Autonomy: Self-determination and independence.

    • Environmental Mastery: Competence in managing the environment.

    • Personal Growth: Continuous development and openness to new experiences.

    • Positive Relations: Warm and trusting relationships.

    • Purpose in Life: Goals and meanings providing direction.

    • Self-Acceptance: Positive self-regard and acceptance of personal qualities.

PERMA Model (Seligman)

  • Positive Emotion: Focus on increasing positive emotions linked with past, present, and future.

  • Engagement: Full deployment of skills in challenging tasks.

  • Relationships: Connections providing purpose and support.

  • Meaning: Belonging to larger entities (family, community).

  • Accomplishment: Competence and mastery as intrinsic motivations.

Self-Determination Theory (Ryan & Deci)

  • Basic Psychological Needs:

    • Autonomy: Feeling of choice.

    • Relatedness: Meaningful connections.

    • Competence: Feeling effective in actions.

  • Outcome: Positive emotions and well-being as by-products of need satisfaction.

Positive and Traditional Psychology

Traditional Approach

  • Focus: Removing negative influences and regulating thoughts and behaviors.

  • Self-Regulation Strategies: Delay gratification through self-control (e.g., Marshmallow Experiment).

Mindfulness Practices

  • Defining Mindfulness: Awareness of the present moment without judgment.

  • Methods: Concentration-based practices and mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques to manage emotions.

Practicing Gratitude

  • Theory: Recognizing and appreciating benefits from external actions.

  • Methods: Keeping a gratitude journal or noting three good things daily.

  • Impact: Alters perception, promotes joy, and rewires thinking patterns.

Story of the Farmer

  • Principle: Response to events ('Good thing, Bad thing, Who knows?') illustrates acceptance of changing circumstances over time.

Signature Strengths and Purpose

  • Identification: Engage in understanding personal strengths and ways to express them.

  • Purpose in Life: Defined as having central goals that provide direction and buffer against challenges.

Marketing for Well-being

  • Influences of Marketing:

    • Product: Branding promoting well-being.

    • Place: Experiences enhancing wellness.

    • Promotion: Educational content inspiring positive actions.

    • Pricing: Strategies for more equitable market engagement.