Our vision for well-being at Stanford integrates the needs of individuals and communities, with the ultimate goal of making this a place in which everyone has the capacity to feel well, do well, and be well.
What Is Flourishing?
Flourishing is how we function well, feel well, and be well. Flourishing is a common term used in the social sciences to encapsulate everything that makes up our well-being. In practical terms, well-being and flourishing are the same—one’s well-being is high when they are flourishing, and vice versa. Concepts like flourishing that attempt to describe the immense complexity of human experience differ across individuals and cultures as our deeply held values influence what it means for us to flourish.
Most elements of well-being can be linked to universal human needs and desires that evolved in our bodies and minds over millions of years. Whether it's connection, comfort, agency, and safety — or belonging, meaning, purpose, and pleasurable emotions— all of these are important to us modern humans because they have roots in our history and were essential to our ancestors. In the last two centuries, our world has changed so drastically that our well-being has been challenged as we depart from ways of living that make up our histories. Reflect on your current level of flourishing, and discover what actions you can take to develop your well-being while at Stanford. Explore the elements of flourishing.
How can we skillfully navigate our complex, demanding lives, the challenges at Stanford, and the desire to belong in a fast-moving world? Stanford may be an academic institution, and you may be a student—but a life well-lived is more than productivity and academic accomplishment. Developing our well-being is an active, lifelong process of choices, skill-building, and introspection leading to your visions of health, fulfillment, and meaning. Sign Up for a Coaching Session and create a vision for your well-being here
