Self-knowledge And Its Relationship With Well-being
In the field of psychology, it is increasingly evident that self-knowledge is closely related to perceived well-being. This is so since, among other things, this ability is linked to emotional intelligence and the development of individuals.
In this article we will explain in detail what this relationship is. We start from the base on which We explain the main aspects of self-knowledge and emotional well-being in order to deepen this connection.. Finally, we propose some strategies to increase our self-knowledge and, thus, our well-being.
As we can deduce from the name, self-knowledge is the ability that people develop to know themselves. In this sense, it is about the ability that each person has to look and connect with their internal world. Introspection allows the individual to deeply understand their emotional states, thoughts, and their behavioral and relational dynamics.
As a consequence, the person becomes aware of their needs, desires, fears, values, beliefs, tastes, strengths and points to improve, etc. It is a reflective process in which the person becomes aware of their self, allows them to understand who they are and, therefore, is related to the construction of identity..
For this process to occur, some components are necessary. On the one hand, it is crucial that the person be honest with themselves since they may describe uncomfortable aspects in the reflection process. Additionally, it is important to be open to exploration and inquiry without judgment. The phases in which self-knowledge occurs are different and it is necessary to accompany ourselves with curiosity and compassion.
On many occasions, “well-being” is considered to be the state that occurs when there is no discomfort. However, it is important to understand that perceived well-being goes beyond the absence of physical or mental pathologies. In order for people to feel well-being, there are various agents that interact and contribute to the feeling of satisfaction and fulfillment in a generalized way..
In general terms, it is considered that there are four dimensions of well-being: physical, emotional, mental and social. However, in addition to the internal aspects already mentioned, we must highlight the importance that external factors can have in people’s lives and how they perceive and value them.
This line includes aspects such as our interpersonal relationships (family, friendships, emotional-sexual ties), our work and economic situation, the sociocultural context in which we live and, of course, the possibility of accessing certain public resources, including healthcare. .
Relationship between self-knowledge and well-being
Being aware of our own person and, above all, of our internal world is essential since it allows us to make decisions consciously and in line with our needs, our values, our objectives and our limits. In this sense, we build a more coherent and fulfilling life every day.
Thus, we can see that there is a direct connection between self-knowledge and perceived well-being. Knowing our internal world allows us to live more coherently and fully.. As we have already mentioned before, it allows us to make decisions aligned with our needs, values, objectives and limits.
Often, people who invest resources in knowing and understanding themselves deeply notice improvements in other aspects. These include some such as self-esteem, self-perception, one’s own security and the assessment of qualities or aptitudes. All of this is possible thanks to self-compassion, which allows us to embrace and respect who we really are.
The benefits at the individual level can be extrapolated to the relationships we build. Having good self-knowledge also allows us to review our way of connecting.. By becoming aware of this point, we can relate from a place that is more appropriate for us, either by modifying some dynamics or building new bonds.
All of this, without a doubt, gives us a feeling of well-being both with ourselves and with our lives. In this sense, it is common for people with deep self-knowledge to be more resilient and feel they have more individual resources when facing adverse situations.
Strategies that allow us to increase our self-knowledge and well-being
There are many strategies that allow us to get to know ourselves a little more every day. It is interesting that each person allows themselves to explore various of them and decide which ones are the most suitable for themselves. Below are some tools that can be useful, but remember that you can always ask for professional help and take this trip with someone.:
