Existential Well-being - Exploring the depths of existential well-being: Nurturing, meaning, purpose and fulfilment.
Existential well-being is a key component of living a fulfilling and meaningful life, as it refers to the degree to which individuals are able to find purpose and meaning in their lives. This concept has been studied extensively by philosophers, psychologists, and other scholars who have sought to understand how people can achieve this level of well-being. One prominent existential philosopher, Jean-Paul Sartre, argued that humans must create their own meaning in life by making choices and taking responsibility for the outcomes of those choices (Sartre, 1943). Similarly, psychologist Viktor Frankl posited that finding one's purpose is critical for psychological health; he believed that people can survive even the most difficult circumstances if they have a strong sense of meaning (Frankl, 1984).
One important aspect of existential well-being is the ability to cope with death anxiety – the fear or dread of our inevitable mortality. According to Ernest Becker (1973), death anxiety results from an individual's awareness of their finite existence and drives much human behaviour in an attempt to deny or transcend death. Consequently, dealing with this anxiety productively becomes crucial for achieving existential well-being. For example, Irvin Yalom (1980) suggested that facing one's mortality could lead to personal growth and increased appreciation for life. By accepting the reality of death, individuals can focus on creating lasting value in their lives.
Another significant element contributing to existential well-being is authentic living – being true to oneself and living according to one's values rather than conforming to societal pressures or expectations. Psychologist Carl Rogers (1961) emphasised the importance of self-acceptance and congruence between one's ideal self and real self in promoting emotional well-being. In his view, when individuals reject parts of themselves due to external influences or internalised judgments, they experience incongruity between their perceived self-image and experience – ultimately leading to feelings of dissatisfaction or distress. By embracing authenticity and living according to their values, individuals can achieve a greater sense of existential well-being.
Meaningful relationships with others also play a crucial role in promoting existential well-being. Human beings are innately social creatures, and our connections to others help us define our identities and find meaning in life. As philosopher Martin Buber (1958) proposed, genuine relationships are characterised by an "I-Thou" stance rather than an "I-It" stance – the former involves recognising the other as a unique individual with whom one can engage in mutual respect and understanding, while the latter reduces the other person to an object or means to an end. Such authentic and deep interpersonal connections have been associated with increased well-being, life satisfaction, and resilience against stress (Baumeister & Leary, 1995).
Existential well-being is not only important for personal growth but also has significant implications for public health. Research has shown that individuals who perceive their lives as having purpose and meaning report better physical health outcomes, including lower levels of inflammation markers and reduced risk of chronic diseases (Cohen et al., 2016). Furthermore, there is evidence that interventions aimed at enhancing existential well-being through activities such as mindfulness practices or volunteer work can lead to improved mental health outcomes such as reduced depression symptoms (Van Dam et al., 2018).
In summary, existential well-being is vital for human flourishing and encompasses various aspects, including coping with death anxiety, embracing authenticity in oneself and relationships with others, and finding purpose in life. Achieving this level of well-being requires introspection, self-awareness, and self-acceptance alongside forming meaningful connections with others. Consequently, it is essential for both individuals and society at large to prioritise fostering existential well-being in order to promote holistic health outcomes.
Some may argue that focusing on existential well-being could distract from addressing more immediate concerns such as poverty or access to healthcare. However, it is important to consider that cultivating existential well-being can actually contribute to addressing these issues. When individuals have a strong sense of purpose and meaning, they are more likely to engage in prosocial behaviours such as volunteering or advocating for social change (Seligman, 2002). In this way, fostering existential well-being may serve as a catalyst for positive action and societal transformation – ultimately benefiting both individual and collective well-being.
In conclusion, existential well-being plays a crucial role in promoting holistic health outcomes and should not be overlooked. By fostering a sense of purpose and meaning in individuals, we can encourage prosocial behaviours that contribute to the betterment of society as a whole. While addressing immediate concerns such as poverty and access to healthcare is undeniably important, cultivating existential well-being can serve as an effective catalyst for positive change and overall societal transformation. Thus, it is essential to consider both material needs and existential well-being in our pursuit of improved individual and collective well-being.
