Debunking myths about well-being can help understand the concept more holistically and apply this knowledge to your personal life. Can you tell the difference between a well-being myth and fact? Learn the truth about some common well-being myths.
Myth 1. Well-being is the same for everyone
Wellbeing has common characteristics, but looks different to everyone.
Well-being is subjective. Your personal well-being is based entirely on your thoughts, actions and environment. Well-being does not have a single definition, it is a general consensus of several positive outcome that impact your individual lives.
Well-being is not a level playing field. Just because you are of the same age or working on the same team, doesn’t mean you have the same life experiences. Your well-being is unique to you and defined by you.
Myth 2. Well-being is the absence of illness or disease
People often think that wellbeing relates solely to physical health, but in reality, it’s much more holistic than that.
Well-being is more than physical health. Physical health is only one element of a person’s whole well-being. To a large extent, a person’s health is determined by their circumstances and environment. Physical health influences quality of life, emotional well-being and contentment in life — and these in turn influence physical health.
Well-being is strongly linked to happiness and life satisfaction. For many individuals, having a greater sense of purpose may have higher levels of optimism and vigor, that directly contributes to increased sense of well-being.
Myth 3. Well-being is achieved once and remains forever
Well-being is continuous. Well-being isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. It requires acting with awareness, intention and good judgment to make gradual and holistic improvement throughout life.
Well-being is inconsistent. There are good days and bad days, without the bad days you wouldn’t come to appreciate the good days, and with only good days you wouldn’t grow.
Myth 4. Well-being is a smiling face
A common belief is that well-being is looking inwardly and focusing on your happiness.
There is often more than meets the eye. Well-being is different to pleasure or joy. If someone seems full of energy and enthusiasm, it does not necessarily reflect a state of well-being.
Well-being is not just work-life balance. Though the two intersect, they are not reliant on each other. Work-life balance is, simply put, finding a balance in the time spent in each area of your life. The quality of this said time spent is an indicator of your well-being.
Myth 5. Well-being is only achieved through rigorous hard work and investment
A lot of people hold back from taking wellness decisions or steps because the idea of it costing a lot of time, money and effort is daunting. However, the impact of not achieving well-being can be a lot costlier in the long run.
Well-being is not a solo act. There are several factors, internal and external, that influence well-being such as social, environmental and organizational health, belief and support system, etc. Asking for help or seeking support is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of good judgment.
Well-being is achieved through intent and awareness. Living mindfully is a calm approach to acknowledging and accepting one’s state of being and intentionally moving to maintain it or better it. Acknowledging is the first step in personal growth and securing well-being.
