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
So, first up, we’ve got physical well-being. That’s all about keeping your body healthy and strong. Think eating right, taking care of getting enough sleep, and staying active. You know, stuff like munching on those veggies, catching those Z’s, and maybe even busting out some dance moves.
Meet Arjun, a 16-year-old from Kolkata whose journey has been a tough one – he’s struggled with obesity, a condition that not only affects his health but also takes a toll on his self-esteem. Sadly, Arjun often finds himself at the receiving end of teasing and bullying because of his weight. It’s a vicious cycle – the more he’s teased, the more he withdraws from physical activities, which in turn exacerbates his condition.
Arjun’s story highlights why physical well-being is so crucial, especially for teens like him. It’s not just about fitting into a certain size of jeans or looking a certain way. Physical well-being is about feeling strong, energized, and confident in your own skin.
Physical well-being is also about getting up and moving your body in ways that feel good. Sure, it might be intimidating at first, especially if you’re like Arjun and have faced challenges with your weight. But even small steps – like taking a stroll around the neighbourhood, dancing to your favourite tunes, or trying out a new sport – can make a world of difference.
And here’s a special tip from Disha: When you prioritize your physical well-being, you’re not just taking care of your body – you’re also boosting your mood and sharpening your mind. Exercise releases those feel-good hormones called endorphins, which can help chase away stress and anxiety. Plus, staying active can improve your focus and concentration, making it easier to tackle those tough school assignments. That’s why there is a PE class in your school every week!
Mental well-being: Priyanshi’s pressure
This is all about keeping your brain in tip-top shape. It’s like giving your mind a workout by challenging yourself with new things, staying positive, and finding ways to cope with stress. Ever tried solving a tricky puzzle or writing in a journal? That’s mental well-being at work!
Meet Priyanshi, a 15-year-old who’s acing her studies but feeling the pressure from her parents to be a super student. They keep telling her to become the top student in her class and crack those tough IIT exams. But all this pressure is making Priyanshi feel stressed out and unhappy. She’s getting nervous and even having anxiety attacks!
Even though Priyanshi is super smart, the constant pressure from her parents is like a dark cloud hanging over her. It’s hard for her to enjoy her successes when she’s always worrying about living up to expectations and has many times gone blank in a test, lost her appetite and even fell sick. Trying to be perfect all the time is exhausting and her mental health is affecting her physical health too.
But here’s the good news: Priyanshi doesn’t have to go it alone. By talking to a trusted adult about how she feels and finding ways to manage stress, she can start feeling happier and more relaxed. With the right support, she can learn that success isn’t just about grades – it’s also about feeling good about yourself and enjoying life along the way.
Emotional well-being: Nirvaan’s solace in silence
Next up, we’ve got emotional well-being. Yes, it’s almost the same as mental well-being but focuses more on your emotions. This is all about understanding and managing your feelings. It’s okay to feel all the feelings, but it’s important to know how to deal with them healthily. That might mean talking to a friend or doing something you love when you’re feeling down.
Nirvaan, a 14-year-old from Rajasthan is going through a tough time. He recently lost his grandma, who was like his best buddy. To deal with his feelings, Nirvaan turns to something pretty cool – poetry! It’s his way of letting out all those emotions swirling around inside him.
Nirvaan and his grandma were super close. He used to hang out in her room a lot, and now that she’s gone, he feels really lonely. It’s hard for him to explain why he’s feeling so down, and he’s finding it tough to get into his schoolwork.
Even though his parents are worried about him, Nirvaan keeps his feelings to himself. Unfortunately, Nirvaan’s grief and emotional turmoil begin to affect other areas of his life. His grades start slipping in class tests, and his parents notice a change in his behavior. Despite their concern, he keeps his feelings bottled up, finding comfort in his own thoughts and in the silence that surrounds him.
He finds peace in silence and in writing poetry. His story highlights the importance of emotional well-being and the challenges that can arise when dealing with loss and grief. While Nirvaan finds solace in silence and in his creative outlet of poetry, it’s crucial for him to find healthy ways to cope with his emotions and seek support from those around him. By opening up and sharing his feelings, Navin can begin to heal and find peace in the midst of his sorrow.
Social well-being: Akshita’s social saga
Now that we know a bit about emotional well-being, let’s understand more about social well-being. This is all about building awesome relationships with others. Friends, family, classmates – they all play a part in your social well-being. It’s about having people you can count on and who make you feel good about yourself.
Akshita, a 15-year-old from Delhi is who’s experiencing life without the digital buzz. While her peers are busy engaging on social media platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram, Akshita finds herself navigating through her teenage years without a smartphone or any social media accounts. It’s like swimming against the current in a stream of hashtags and emojis!
But amidst this digital disconnect, Akshita learns a valuable lesson about social well-being. She realizes that true connections aren’t measured by likes or comments, but by genuine interactions and meaningful conversations with friends and family. So, despite feeling out of place in a hyper-connected world, Akshita has discovered the importance of and embracing real-life experiences beyond the screen.
Spiritual well-being: Karan’s tabla at gurudwara
Lastly, let’s talk about spiritual well-being. Confused? Don’t worry, it’s simpler than you think! It’s not just about religion, though it can be if that’s what resonates with you. It’s more about finding meaning and purpose in your life, kind of like discovering your “Ikigai” if you’ve come across that concept. It could be through connecting with nature, expressing yourself through art, or lending a helping hand to others – whatever brings you joy deep down.
Meet Karan, a 16-year-old who finds solace and fulfilment by playing the tabla at his local gurudwara. This activity isn’t just about making music – it’s a way for Karan to connect with his community and experience a profound sense of peace and purpose.
Karan’s journey highlights how spiritual practices can nourish the soul, grounding us in our personal identity and contributing to our overall well-being. By finding activities that resonate with us on a deeper level, we can build a foundation of stability and growth in all aspects of our lives.
Wrapping up
The stories of these teens show us that being a happy teen is about more than just being physically fit. It’s like putting together a puzzle – you need all the pieces to make the picture complete. We’re talking about taking care of your body, sure, but also your mind, emotions, friendships, and even your spirit.
Think about it like this: being well as a teen means feeling good inside and out, finding balance in everything you do, and connecting with what makes you truly happy. So, whether it’s hitting playing your favourite sport/dancing, chatting with friends, or finding peace in nature, take care of every part of yourself and watch as the pieces of your well-being come together to create an awesome picture of teenage life!
