The British government is conducting an online survey to come up with a well-being index (at
www.ons.gov.uk/well-being) and through this survey they will be able to define well-being and happiness.
Already 7500 people have participated in this debate. ONS is happy to conduct this survey to know what people actually think when it comes to well being and real happiness. In this survey, respondents are asked how satisfied are they with their lives and what is happiness for them.
What you would find interesting are the sort of answers the respondents gave. Really cool to understand human nature though this is what the British people think but we can relate to a lot of things.
So here goes the personal definition of well being for different people:
- Earlier respondents said that job security, personal health and relationships with family members made their lives quite content.
- Some people have grand dreams of a better world.
- While some say that it is the little things in life that make them smile.
- Most people suggested that happiness would improve if there were more public services such as libraries and municipal parks.
- Somebody commented 'Having access to open, green space within walking distance of my home' will be quite satisfying.
- Another person suggested what would increase happiness, 'Access to low-cost facilities that enrich life - e.g. libraries, parks, swimming pools.'
- Interesting thing is that some people have taken it upon themselves to consider what results in a good life, which is a problem that has occupied philosophers from the days of Socrates.
- Another respondent said, 'Happiness is a misnomer. It's much better to be content than happy. Contentment is constant. Happiness is an emotional flick.'
- For some people freedom to do things is more important than happiness.
- Of course, a lot many insisted that unless we have money, we don't really have a choice. So money leads to well-being and happiness.'
- But the best response in my opinion was this one 'The smell of opening a jar of coffee would certainly contribute to my well-being.'
These are all sorts of comments from respondents belonging to various social classes and depicts how happiness varies from person to person. I like how parks, coffee and libraries were a part of the answers.
This is important though, that we should actually know what really makes us happy from within. There might not be a proper lifestyle indicator and measures in our country, well not that reliable for sure, but for our own understanding I guess it would be nice to ponder over the things that make one genuinely happy. Do take out the time to discover the things about yourself.
