What does it mean to flourish?
Flourishing, which originates from the Latin word floreo, meaning, “to bloom,” is best defined as a state of optimal functioning and well-being in all aspects of a person’s life. It’s used to describe and assess positive mental health and overall life satisfaction. Flourishing involves consistently experiencing positive emotions, maintaining robust physical and mental health, and enjoying fulfilling social relationships. While there are other aspects to flourishing, it ultimately represents the pinnacle of overall well-being.
Although the word “flourishing” has Latin roots, its philosophical concept comes from Aristotle’s concept of eudaimonia, which means achieving the best conditions possible for a person, both mental and physical. This overlap illustrates how flourishing has been a topic of philosophical and psychological discussion for centuries.
The Flourishing Index
During the last decade, research into human flourishing has dramatically increased, partly due to the growing prevalence of mental health issues and heightened awareness of overall well-being in the United States. To understand if a person is flourishing, there needs to be an objective scale or criteria of what it means to flourish. To address this gap, Harvard professor Tyler J. VanderWeele published On the Promotion of Human Flourishing, in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in August 2017. In the paper he developed the Flourishing Index, which consists of 6 domains with 2 questions each, designed to better determine if a person is achieving their full potential (Box).
Importance of flourishing in healthcare
Flourishing is important in healthcare because it encompasses the full spectrum of what it means to live a good life. While having a good life can indicate low stress or avoiding illness, people with chronic health conditions can still achieve a good life and experience fulfillment. Flourishing aims to quantify and qualify this state of fulfillment. The degree of flourishing can affect individuals’ health, and current studies are investigating the relationship between flourishing and health outcomes. Health outcomes measure a patient’s response to treatment. With further research into the link between flourishing and health outcomes, treatments can become more personalized, ensuring optimal care and enhanced quality of life. This information can lay the groundwork for new health policies and support the implementation of additional interventions that positively affect a person’s well-being and overall health. This comprehensive approach ensures that people can flourish in every dimension of their lives.
Consider what it means to flourish
Take a moment and reflect on the concept of flourishing and your life. Keep in mind; we are unique individuals with different aspirations and ideals as to what brings us joy; therefore, the questionnaire may prove useful as a guide rather than a number scale. After some thought, ask yourself; am I content? What can I do to achieve fulfillment? Based on your thoughts, create actionable goals. If you strive to flourish, you may find yourself living a more fulfilling and balanced life.
Authors: Antron Spooner, BS; Austin Helton, BS; Vincent Lee, BS | Columbus, Georgia
Last edited on December 10, 2024