Kyra Gheyara

Analyses of Habits and Environmental Factors on a Person’s Mood and Sense of Well-Being

Started Feb. 13, 2023

Abstract or project description

The mood and sense of well-being of a person is a major factor in their ability to function optimally. This principle is studied in the field of positive psychology, which focuses on strengths instead of one’s weaknesses and explores factors that make people thrive and help contribute to their well-being. While positive psychology establishes general principles to improve a person’s mood and sense of well-being, I wanted to identify the specific habits and environmental factors that improved my mood and well-being. To achieve this, I analyzed a journal in which I had previously recorded my daily mood score representing my subjective well-being, along with other factors and habits. The journal data was recorded each day over an 18-month period and included 7,098 data points. Statistical analyses identified factors that significantly affected my mood, including the seasons, days of the week, school attendance, screen time, habits, and sleep. My personal mood predictors may not be applicable to everyone. However, the methods I used in this single-subject study of myself could guide others to discover factors affecting their mood and well-being and thereby may enable them to better achieve their full potential.