I always enjoy visiting with people who are older than I am. They have interesting stories of years past. I regularly learn from people in their 80s and 90s. They inspire me.

Many have “grit” developed through surviving challenging times, including wars and difficult economic situations. Some have coped with serious illness of various types. Yet, they have moved forward and thrived.

How would you describe being “well”?

An absence of serious illness may come to mind when we think of being well. We might define well-being as the ability to function in everyday life.

Researchers have studied what well-being means to people as they age, and they have uncovered common themes. One study that took into account the results of 53 studies taking place during the course of 50 years.

The researchers found that connecting with others, including family and friends, played a significant role in well-being. Others noted that well-being included imagining opportunities for themselves and recognizing strengths within themselves. Many said that seeking meaning in their lives was a significant part of well-being.

A more recent research study has shown that having strong relationships not only makes us happier but also can increase our lifespan. Yes, social connections can help us live longer and healthier.

Is it time to phone or text a friend to catch up on life?

Having a network of people around us helps combat loneliness and promotes physical health, mental health and more.

Well-being includes eight dimensions: physical, intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, environmental, financial and vocational. Using these dimensions, let’s try matching the examples to the dimensions.

1. Learning a new language or taking a course.
2. Buying secondhand items instead of brand new or starting a compost pile from your yard clippings.
3. Choosing a healthful snack to take along on a walk.
4. Managing your resources to live within your means.
5. Taking time for relaxation and doing random acts of kindness.
6. Joining a community group that focuses on an activity you’d like to explore.
7. Sharing your skills from your previous job in a community setting.
8. Being involved in a faith community or exploring mindfulness.

How did you do? There are numerous ways to explore well-being and some overlap with other dimensions.

1. Intellectual well-being can be enhanced by learning music, a foreign language or taking any type of course.
2. Environmental well-being means we are taking care of nature in various ways, from shopping at thrift stores to composting lawn waste.
3. Eating colorful fruits and vegetables and going for walks or swims is part of physical well-being.
4. Financial well-being involves careful use of the money and other resources you have.
5. Emotional well-being includes taking breaks for yourself to reduce stress. Sometimes when we do things for others, such as paying a compliment or buying someone’s coffee, the practice pays dividends for our own emotional well-being.
6. Getting involved in groups of people to go to movies, cook, read books, go to car shows or do crafts enhances your social well-being.
7. Vocational well-being does not have to include paid work. You can share skills from your education and experience to help others and make a contribution in this dimension.
8. Spiritual well-being can include being an active member of a faith community or exploring spirituality in various ways, from exploring mindfulness to deep-breathing exercises.

Let’s work on physical well-being with this recipe. Starting the day with a protein-rich and fiber-containing breakfast can get you off to the right start with plenty of energy to face the day.

These burritos can be made ahead and frozen in freezer bags. Thaw in the refrigerator and heat in a microwave oven for a quick breakfast. Add some orange slices and milk for a complete meal. You might want some coffee, too. Moderate consumption of coffee actually is good for our health.

Breakfast Burrito

8 ounces ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
2 (15-ounce) cans kidney, pinto or red beans, drained and rinsed
1 tablespoon chili powder or 1/2 package taco seasoning
8 large flour tortillas
Salsa of choice

Brown ground beef and onion in a frying pan. Drain fat. Mix in beans and seasoning. Put one-eighth of meat mixture in the center of the tortilla. Wrap burrito by folding opposite edges of the tortilla over the meat mixture, then folding tortilla edge closest to you over the meat mixture and rolling. Set burrito seam side down in baking dish. Heat burritos in a covered dish for 10 to 15 minutes at 350 degrees. Wrap in plastic wrap, then foil for an easy grab-and-go meal.

Makes eight servings. Each serving has 400 calories, 8 grams (g) fat, 21 g protein, 61 g carbohydrate, 7 g fiber and 790 milligrams sodium.

(Julie Garden-Robinson, Ph.D., R.D., L.R.D., is a North Dakota State University Extension food and nutrition specialist and professor in the Department of Health, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences.)

NDSU Agriculture Communication – July 25, 2024

Source: Julie Garden-Robinson, 701-231-7187, julie.garden-robinson@ndsu.edu

Editor: Elizabeth Cronin, 701-231-7006, elizabeth.cronin@ndsu.edu