ABSTRACT
Several chapters in this volume highlight the importance of psychological well-being for living the good life (see, for example, the chapters by Baumeister, Dunn & Dwyer, Forgas, Fredrickson, Gable, Huppert, Fritz & Lyubomirsky, and Myers). Physical well-being, however, is also important in order to enjoy and appreciate life, especially as people age. Aristotle suggested that bodily excellences were constituent parts of happiness, and research now supports this assertion. Perceptions of physical health, for example, are positively associated with reports of subjective well-being (Okun & George, 1984), especially among older individuals (Okun & Stock, 1987). In order to live the good life, therefore, individuals need to have and maintain good physical health.
