Focus on Wellbeing: Wellbeing and the power of tiny habits
Written By: Sharon Mortensen and Kathy Snyder
2020 tested us in ways we never imagined. In the midst of the shutdown, I received a call informing me that a family member had died. While we were out of town helping with the situation, we received a call that our neighborhood was being evacuated due to the dam failures and homes on our street were flooding. Through all of these challenges, relationships were strengthened. Wellbeing is about struggle and thriving, about having tools to help so we can function effectively in the face of challenges like these.
As we head into the new year, the Midland Area Wellbeing Coalition is working toward our community’s vision of “Together, Forward, Bold. An exceptional place where everyone thrives.” Our ability to thrive individually and as a community is directly related to wellbeing.
Brene Brown stated, “Joy, collected over time, fuels resilience — ensuring we'll have reservoirs of emotional strength when hard things do happen.” How can we build emotional strength? How can we achieve greater wellbeing? This article will look at six pillars that help to build wellbeing and then will provide a tool you can utilize: tiny habits.
Six pillars of wellbeing
Positive emotions help us to be more optimistic, resilient, open, and accepting. While we will have our share of negative emotions, finding ways to savor the good and learn from the bad can increase wellbeing.
Engagement is being interested and involved in life. Focusing on developing our strengths can improve the way we engage with life and can enhance our wellbeing.
Healthy relationships are vital for wellbeing. Cultivating opportunities for genuine connection helps fulfill our biological need for social interaction.
Meaning is seeing our lives as worthwhile and serving something greater than ourselves. Identifying our purpose and our passions in life allow us to tap into meaning.
Accomplishment, as we do those things that matter most to us, allows us to experience a sense of mastery. We can embrace hope and change as we set goals and work toward them.
Health involves a variety of choices to enhance our vitality. Good health practices include sleep, nutrition, physical activity, relaxation and nature.
These six pillars: positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, accomplishment and health will help to build wellbeing.
Tiny habits
B. J. Fogg's research on tiny habits shows us that the best way to move toward a goal is to focus on small wins. When you are thinking about your new wellbeing habit, think of the smallest possible change you need to make to get started.
The ABCs of tiny habits
Anchor moment (brush my teeth)
Behavior you want to build in (do five squats)
Celebration you use to wire it in. (high five myself in the mirror)
Break big goals down into bite-sized goals and create a tiny habit today!
As we face challenges that may come our way in life, we can incorporate wellbeing tools to help us thrive. Maya Angelou said it well, “my mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive.”
Sharon Mortensen is one of 182 local residents who earned a certificate in the science of wellbeing. Kathy Snyder holds a master’s degree in positive psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and instructs wellbeing classes. Sharon serves as president/CEO at Midland Area Community Foundation. Snyder serves as the Midland Area Wellbeing Hub Coordinator. This year, the Midland Area Wellbeing Coalition continues to provide a series of monthly articles with practical ways to increase wellbeing. Visit midlandareawellbeing.org for more information.