New report links veganism with a stronger sense of well-being
A new report by The Vegan Society asks whether veganism can be a pathway towards a greater sense of wellbeing and connection with ourselves, our values and nature. This is the society’s first concept report, which brings together insights from across a range of literature to begin to address the gap in knowledge concerning the relationship between a vegan lifestyle, happiness, and other areas of wellbeing.
Considering questions such as “Do we have to sacrifice hedonism if we want to live a life with more meaning?” and “What role could veganism play in developing our emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing?”, the report uses a selection of literature reviews and case studies to find answers.
Research in the report suggests that knowing what is important to us and, as far as we can, living our life according to our own guiding principles, may provide us with a sense of stability and confidence. However, it is important to acknowledge that the beginning of an individual’s vegan journey may start with a decreased feeling of happiness and wellbeing due to overwhelming feelings associated with the realisation of animal suffering and the actions of humans towards other animals and the planet.
A quote from one case study states: “Going against the status quo means standing up alone a lot of the time and finding yourself disliked.”
Despite this, the report shows that in the long-term, living in accordance with your values will often help to create a deeper, more sustainable sense of well-being over time. This can happen as a result of developing more meaningful relationships and a stronger sense of empathy and connection with the world around you.
The alignment of values and actions that come with practicing a vegan lifestyle may lead to an increase in self-esteem and confidence, with case studies expressing their stronger sense-of-self after choosing to commit to veganism: “The more I learned about veganism the more committed and confident I became and the more satisfied I was with the decision. I am more in tune with my beliefs and myself when I’m vegan.”
The report gives evidence that veganism can be seen as an investment in our mental and physical health, with research suggesting that veganism may be a protective factor against ill physical health and help us to develop and flourish emotionally, socially and spiritually.
Alexander Huntley, Research Assistant at The Vegan Society, explains the positive impact veganism can have on an individual’s wellbeing: “Veganism is not only good for the animals and the planet but also an investment in ourselves. The research presented in this report demonstrates that adopting veganism can have a positive effect on our sense of control and agency. We can develop stronger and more meaningful social relations and achieve a higher level of personal fulfilment as a direct result of living in accordance with our values.”
The report, which aims to offer insight and support to those at any stage of their vegan journey, can be accessed here: https://www.vegansociety.com/
