Ten Myths About Well-Being

The most sought-after feeling in the world is well-being and there is a good reason for this;
studies have shown that people who experience a state of well-being live longer, concentrate
better, and experience less stress.
Here is a countdown of the common myths about well-being, happiness, and positivity that seem
elusive to understand. Even so, by the end of this list, the mysteries of well-being are likely to
fade away!

Myth #10: Wealth brings happiness

To be entirely fair, wealth only brings happiness to make-believe characters in films (the ones
with happy endings, of course), including cartoon characters! Otherwise, the answer is no!
Money cannot buy or make happiness. Hence, joy is not contingent upon wealth and those who
try to gain well-being by striving for wealth face an unbearable folly.

Myth #9: Happiness is contagious

Well, if it were contagious, wouldn’t comedy be the remedy? Instead, what appears as infectious
laughter is the brain activity of mirror neurons. When a person listens to someone share happy
moments or a joke, the synapses in the receiver’s brain begin to mimic the wavelengths of levity
resulting in a good mood. Happiness, in this sense, is self-generated. So, sharing company with
positive people isn’t a bad idea—keeping a safe distance from angry people, generally is a good
idea!

Myth #8: Covid-19 makes well-being impossible

During the Covid-19 pandemic, mental health issues like depression, due to isolation, increased.
However, one’s state of mind is the dependent variable. In brief, a person’s state of mind can
override the effects of the pandemic.
It is like the idiom of the glass half empty versus half full. Consider this: many people have
regained their health due to the pandemic while others found that working from home was
actually optimal for their situation. Noticeably, the pandemic has also made people more aware
of the importance of self-care and the value of loved ones.

Myth #7: People in recovery have less well-being
than the norm

News flash! Addicts make great leaders! As a recovering addict, Michael Brody had a profound
awakening of life beyond conventional standards. Rigorous honesty and the will to live
motivated him to be more resilient. It guided him towards a successful business career.
Recovering from addictions or healing from traumas can be a challenging process. However,
many people healing and recovering from previous experiences live a more fulfilling life.

Myth #6: Happy people have more well-being than
sad people

For clarity, well-being is not just some thing, like a product that you can easily purchase. Instead,
it is an expression with the quality of wisdom. Since wisdom surfaces from inner sight, it is
evident that everyone has it whether it is used or not.
Every emotion has a purpose and just as there are levels of sadness, there are also many qualities
of well-being, too. For example, healing creates new neuro activities in the brain via thinking.
This process generates healthy pathways into a new normal. This is how well-being is re-
incorporated into daily living.

Myth #5: It is effortful to find well-being

Remember how easy it is to find laughter when something funny happens? It is instantaneous –
unless the joke falls flat! What makes well-being seem effortful are the thoughts that get in the
way. Happiness is the absence of sadness, and love is the absence of hate.
When thinking within the mind becomes bogged down, it blocks the view of anything else,
including happiness. Hence, well-being, just like the sun or moon, is ever-present. Once the
cloudy thinking departs, the sun shines through again. For this reason, patience is a virtue!

Myth #4: Ignorance is bliss
In our society, it is common to avoid disparities. Thus, bliss via ignorance is contingent upon a
blind spot, and it can be a dangerous way to live. Furthermore, it is a counterproductive defense
mechanism to shut out aspects of reality. A high price to pay for bliss!
The alternative is plain and simple, unconditional well-being. It includes removing the blind
spots from life through acceptance and gratitude. In this way, life encompasses a broader
spectrum of experiences which often leads to understanding and profound well-being.

Myth #3: Feelings of suffering are bigger than well-being

Conditions such as depression and anxiety are acquired responses from life experiences. In this
sense, symptomatic responses can extinguish as expressive balance restores.
For example, suffering, such as the stress response, is relative. It depends on how a person thinks
about the stress that determines an experience. When life pressures are considered beneficial,
natural, or anticipated, they can be healthy and even promote longer life!

Myth #2: Children have more well-being than adults

Each child is born with an innate feeling of happiness – it is the wellspring of the spirit. So the
spirit, just as well-being, is endless. Anecdotally, learning to walk is a steep learning curve but
with loving incentive and support, a child has the potential to learn. Even in the case of mobility
impairments where a child is unable to walk for example, it doesn’t diminish the spirit of
happiness.
Similarly, the sense of joy may fade into adulthood. It is reclaimable.  By establishing supports,
such as RPSV Support Groups and Services, every person can reconnect to happiness,
undoubtedly!

Myth #1:  Hardship reduces a person’s chances to
restore well-being

“Life is the ultimate teacher. It teaches absolutely!” This means that all hardships can strengthen
into resiliency. People healing from a traumatic past or are otherwise in recovery go to great
lengths to reclaim wellness. With this in mind, many do experience profound levels of gratitude
which expresses itself as well-being. The kindest gift a person can give to themselves is a second
chance!
In conclusion, the truths of well-being are forever grounded, while the myths drift when stirred
and only settle when left alone. Ultimately, well-being is the after-effect of wisdom. As wisdom
rises from the conscious thinking mind, it unfolds as insight, happiness and of course, well-
being.
Recovery is possible. If you are having challenges regaining your well-being, RPSV can help.
Just reach out to rpsva.org or (800) 374-4198.

They are here to help!

Guest blogger: Eric Zuniga is a 3P Practitioner and poly-survivor. He received an ACEs
Certification (Adverse Childhood Experiences) in 2020 from the Postgraduate Institute of
Medicine and Nutrition Certification in 2011.