Are you okay? Understanding well-being
Siyona casually asks Aarushi, her classmate, “Hey, how’s it going? You good?”
But before she knows it, Aarushi is in tears. Siyona is puzzled – Aarushi seemed fine a minute ago. But there’s clearly something deeper bothering her. It’s a reminder that even when we seem okay on the surface, we might be struggling emotionally. Let’s dive into what it really means to be well and feel great inside and out, especially when you’re a teen dealing with school, friends, and all the rest!
What does being really well mean?
So, you know that feeling when you’re chatting with a friend, and suddenly they burst into tears out of nowhere? That happened to Siyona when she asked Aarushi how she was doing. Weird, right? Aarushi seemed totally fine one minute, then bam – tears!
So, let’s talk about what it really means to be well, especially when you’re a teen tackling school, friends, and all the other stuff life throws at you. It’s not just about not getting sick – it’s about feeling awesome in every way possible! This is what is now known as holistic well-being. And it has several aspects. Let’s understand more.
Physical well-being – Arjun’s story
Arjun, 16, from Kolkata, had one big goal: to survive PE class without pretending he had “stomach ache”. Again.
He had been struggling with obesity and got tired of the teasing. Every “yaar, tu toh slow hai!” hurt a little more. Soon, he stopped playing games altogether.
But one day, while scrolling through dance and fitness videos, he thought, what if I just try?
So he started small. Short walks. Dancing in his room. Taking the stairs instead of the lift. Within a few weeks, he felt more energetic and confident. When he moved his body, his mood improved too.
Disha says: “Exercise releases happy hormones called endorphins. Basically, your brain’s way of saying good job. That’s why PE exists, not just to make you run in circles.”
Mental well-being: Priyanshi’s pressure
Priyanshi, 15, is a topper. Everyone calls her “IIT material.” Her parents are proud, maybe a little too proud.
Between tuitions, tests, and “Bro tere to 95% hi aaye honge?”, her brain feels like it is running nonstop.
She starts feeling anxious, blanks out during exams, and loses her appetite. One day, she talks to her school counsellor and learns that being perfect is not the same as being happy.
Now, she studies hard but also takes breaks, journals, and goes for walks. Sometimes, she just relaxes with a show and does not feel guilty about it. Her focus actually gets better.
Emotional well-being: Nirvaan’s solace in silence
Nirvaan, 14, lost his grandmother, who was his best friend and biggest cheerleader.
He did not talk about it much because who would even get it? Eventually he just shut down. His grades dropped, and his parents started to worry.
Then one day, he picked up his old notebook and started writing poems. That became his quiet way of letting his feelings out. Writing helped him heal, little by little.
It is okay to feel sad, angry, or lost. What matters is finding a way to express it.
Social well-being: Akshita’s social saga
Akshita, 15, is the only one in her friend group without social media. No Instagram, no Snapchat, just regular old messages.
At first, she felt left out while everyone else posted stories and selfies. But soon, she realised while everyone was obsessing over social media her best hangouts were where everyone actually forgot about their phone for a while.
Now, she may have fewer followers but she had stronger friendships.
Spiritual well-being: Karan’s tabla at gurudwara
Karan, 16, plays the tabla every weekend at his local gurudwara. For him, it is not about performance; it is about peace.
When he plays, he forgets school stress and family drama. It is his way of feeling calm and connected.
You do not have to be religious to feel that. Maybe your peace comes from music, art, helping someone, or spending time in nature.
Wrapping up
The stories of Aarushi, Arjun, Priyanshi, Nirvaan, Akshita, and Karan show one thing. Being well is not just about being fit or smart.
It is about balance – taking care of your body, mind, emotions, friendships, and what gives your life meaning.
So next time someone asks, “How are you?”
Don’t just say, “I’m fine.”
Ask yourself, am I feeling good inside and out?
Well-being = Mind + Body + Heart + Friends + Purpose
- Physical:
Eat, sleep, move → Feel strong and confident - Mental:
Manage stress → Don’t chase perfection, chase balance - Emotional:
Feel it → Talk, write, or express instead of bottling up - Social:
Real friends > Online followers → Build genuine bonds - Spiritual:
Find peace → Through art, faith, nature, or kindness
Being well means feeling good inside and out.
