Achieving harmony involves balance and flexibility in different aspects of life, which can go between “mental balance” and “work-life balance”. Both balance and harmony play a fundamental role in well-being, possibly becoming a key principle of human functioning (Lomas, 2021).
Understanding emotional resilience and well-being
Emotional resilience refers to our capacity to adapt to challenges and adversity while maintaining mental well-being despite obstacles. It involves developing coping strategies and fostering positive emotions to navigate life’s ups and downs effectively. (Waugh & Sali, 2023).
Tips for leading a more harmonious life
1. Mindfulness
Mindfulness is more than being present; it’s about cultivating awareness of our thoughts, feelings, and surroundings without judgment. By practicing mindfulness, individuals can develop a greater capacity to enhance emotional well-being. Research highlights that mindfulness meditation promotes relaxation (Davis & Hayes, 2011).
2. Building positive relationships
Positive social connections play a vital role in promoting mental and physical well-being (Canevello & Crocker, 2010). Building and nurturing meaningful relationships provide emotional support during challenging times, which can buffer against difficulties (National Institutes of Health, 2017). Studies suggest that individuals with strong social ties may experience good health (Uchino, 2006).
3. Happiness
The primary elements fostering happiness encompass mental, emotional, and physical well-being, a mindful equilibrium between work and personal life that integrates all facets, nurturing meaningful social bonds, practicing self-care and altruism, and ultimately, attaining a profound sense of harmony (Singh, et al., 2023).
4. Practicing gratitude
Gratitude practices involve intentionally focusing on and appreciating the positive aspects of life. Research indicates that gratitude enhances emotional well-being by fostering positive emotions and reducing negative thinking patterns (Wood et al., 2010). Regularly expressing gratitude via journaling can cultivate a more optimistic outlook and increase overall positive mood (UC Berkeley, 2018).
5. Balance and flexibility
From the viewpoint of psychological well-being, it is suggested that the idea of harmony promotes a holistic perspective that integrates a balanced and adaptable approach to personal wellness, considering social and environmental factors (Kjell, et al., 2016).
Achieving harmony in work-life balance
Achieving harmony comes from maintaining a clear balance between work and personal life. It is possible that this balance can help physical and mental health, taking into account good time management and maintaining a constant calm (Borowiec & Drygas, 2022).
Cultivating emotional well-being
When balance and resilience are part of an individual’s daily life, and they recognize and accept their thoughts and feelings—whether positive or negative—they cultivate emotional well-being. Additionally, constantly seeking mechanisms to achieve this is possible, including taking care of their body through exercise and sleep, sharing their feelings with someone they trust, and taking time to quiet their mind and reflect (Harvard University Health Services, n.d).
Embracing a harmonious life
Embracing a harmonious life isn’t just about adopting individual practices. It is an approach with being in balance, adapting to the environment, favorable interpersonal relationships and mutual support (Kjell, et al., 2021).
By prioritizing these elements, individuals can face life’s challenges, cultivate a sense of peace, and find fulfillment. Ultimately, achieving harmony requires commitment and conscious effort, but the rewards are profound—a life characterized by greater contentment, health, and emotional well-being.
Source:
Borowiec, A. A., & Drygas, W. (2022). Work-Life Balance and Mental and Physical Health among Warsaw Specialists, Managers and Entrepreneurs. International journal of environmental research and public health, 20(1), 492. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010492
Canevello, A., & Crocker, J. (2010). Creating good relationships: responsiveness, relationship quality, and interpersonal goals. Journal of personality and social psychology, 99(1), 78–106. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0018186
Davis, D. M., & Hayes, J. A. (2011). What are the benefits of mindfulness? A practice review of psychotherapy-related research. Psychotherapy (Chicago, Ill.), 48(2), 198–208. doi:10.1037/a0022062
Harvard University Health Services (n.d). EMOTIONAL. https://wellness.huhs.harvard.edu/emotional
Kjell, O. N. E., Daukantaitė, D., Hefferon, K., & Sikström, S. (2016). The harmony in life scale complements the satisfaction with life scale: Expanding the conceptualization of the cognitive component of subjective well-being. Social Indicators Research, 126, 893-919. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11205-015-0903-z
Kjell, O., Daukantaitė, D., & Sikström, S. (2021). Computational Language Assessments of Harmony in Life – Not Satisfaction With Life or Rating Scales – Correlate With Cooperative Behaviors. Frontiers in psychology, 12, 601679. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.601679
Lomas, T. (2021). Life balance and harmony: Wellbeing’s golden thread. InternationalJournal of Wellbeing, 11(1), 50-68. https://doi.org/10.5502/ijw.v11i1.1477
National Institutes of Health (2017, February). Do Social Ties Affect Our Health?. https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2017/02/do-social-ties-affect-our-health
Singh, S., Kshtriya, S., & Valk, R. (2023). Health, Hope, and Harmony: A Systematic Review of the Determinants of Happiness across Cultures and Countries. International journal of environmental research and public health, 20(4), 3306. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043306
UC Berkeley (2018, May). The Science of Gratitude. https://ggsc.berkeley.edu/images/uploads/GGSC-JTF_White_Paper-Gratitude-FINAL.pdf
Uchino, B. N. (2006). Social support and health: A review of physiological processes potentially underlying links to disease outcomes. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 29(4), 377–387. doi:10.1007/s10865-006-9056-5
Waugh, C. E., & Sali, A. W. (2023). Resilience as the Ability to Maintain Well-Being: An Allostatic Active Inference Model. Journal of Intelligence, 11(8), 158. https://doi.org/10.3390/jintelligence11080158
Wood, A. M., Joseph, S., & Maltby, J. (2010). Gratitude predicts psychological well-being above the Big Five facets. Personality and Individual Differences, 46(4), 443–447. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2008.11.012
