AIA Healthier Together Study 2021
5 mins read
Finding Out What People Can Do to Live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives
At AIA we are committed to helping people live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives. To deliver on that commitment, we need to understand what people can do to make a positive difference, so we commissioned this unique study to find out the truth behind what actions people actually need to take.
We talked with 80+ health and wellness experts across the Asia-Pacific region; academics, life-coaches, psychologists, mental health experts, influential authors, healthcare representatives and influencers from leading institutions, business and government.
Based on their insights and data we discovered eight ingredients that go into living Healthier, Longer, Better Lives and the tangible actions that people can take.
But we didn’t stop there. We then asked 6,000 people in Australia, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, a cross-section of different Asia-Pacific countries and cultures, to rate their own lives against the eight ingredients, and tell us which make the most impact on them and the actions they find easiest to take. In Malaysia, 1500 respondents were interviewed.
AIA Healthier Together Study 2021 – Spotlight on Malaysia
8 Ingredients of a Healthier, Longer, Better Life
Have an optimistic outlook
Look for the positive things in everyday situations, not letting negative events of the past affect the present and finding enjoyment in work.
Actions that can be taken:
1. Taking time to reflect on things that bring joy
2. Taking time on things to be thankful for
Be active and engaged
Be an active member of your wider community, remain socially active with friends and family, and remain physically and mentally active.
Actions that can be taken:
1. Engaging in physical exercise or sport
2. Practicing mindfulness
3. Participating in social or community groups
Self-motivate
Focus on your own personal goals, look for ways to make work/tasks/chores more engaging, and see setbacks as learning opportunities.
Actions that can be taken:
1. Set goals to ensure a sense of progress
2. Take bigger goals and create smaller steps to help achieve them
3. Take the time to acknowledge success and achievements
4. When faced with a difficult problem, break it down into easier steps
Understand yourself and your emotions
Take time to understand what motivates you in life, understand what is important to you, and understand your limits, strengths, and weaknesses.
Actions that can be taken:
1. Use coping strategies to deal with stress and negative emotions
2. Take time to reflect on how you are feeling
3. Set limits for yourself
Feel a sense of independence
Feel confident identifying what is right for you, focus time and energy on things you can control, and be capable of improving your mental health.
Actions that can be taken:
1. Actively engaging in finances and financial health
2. Thinking carefully about important choices before making them
3. Monitoring physical health
Maintain quality relationships
Focus on giving people your full attention, be open and honest with others, and seek out like-minded people who share similar interests.
Actions that can be taken:
1. Have meaningful conversations with friends and loved ones
2. Actively listening and building on people’s responses during conversation
3. Reaching out to others rather than waiting to be contacted
Never stop learning and exploring
Explore new ideas and engage with new things, challenge your own thinking, and be open to change.
Actions that can be taken:
1. Reading to learn new things
2. Spending time learning a new skill
Make time to recharge
Create clear boundaries between work and personal time and find ways to recharge your energy levels.
Actions that can be taken:
1. Making time to do things that bring joy (e.g.: listening to and appreciating music, playing a game, talking with friends/family, etc)
2. Prioritising time for rest and relaxation as part of a daily routine
AIA Healthier Together Study 2021 Reports
Factsheet
Summary Report
White Paper
Press Release
