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🌿 10 Wellness Myths You've Probably Fallen For
Published about 1 year ago • 7 min read
Hey Reader,
Welcome back to Living Better—your ultimate guide to living a happier, healthier, and more fulfilling life.
Is it possible to "catch up" on your sleep? Does Vitamin C actually prevent colds? Are 10,000 steps a day really necessary for your health?
In the digital age where a plethora of information exists in every corner of the internet, it can be difficult to distinguish fact from fiction.
That's why today we're divulging 10 common wellness myths to give your mental, physical, and emotional health the boost it needs.
"When health is absent, wisdom cannot reveal itself, art cannot manifest, strength cannot fight, wealth becomes useless, and intelligence cannot be applied.”
- Herophilus
10 Common Wellness Myths
When it comes to wellness, it is vital to have accurate information. After all, the beliefs and behaviors we implement will have real, tangible effects on our health. Here are ten common wellness myths, debunked:
There is no one way to look healthy. Health is comprehensive and encompasses a number of factors including nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress levels, lifestyle choices, and more. Weight is just one small piece of the puzzle and should never be used as an indicator of overall health.
When beginning your wellness journey, be sure to think holistically and address all indicators of health. Obsessing and stressing over one factor, such as weight loss, can stunt progress and lead to decreased mental wellbeing.
Myth #2: You Can "Catch Up" On Sleep
Ever had a rough night with only a few hours of sleep? It's common to think we can simply "catch up" on sleep by resting a few extra hours on the weekend. In reality, however, sleep must be practiced daily and consistently in order for us to reap the health benefits it offers.
Poor sleep patterns have been linked to cardiovascular and degenerative diseases. If you're a man unable to consistently sleep 7-8 hours a night, or a woman unable to sleep 9-10 hours a night, seek help from a health provider.
Myth #3: You Don't Need Sunscreen On Cloudy Days
Many people prioritize wearing sunscreen on sunny days, especially during the warm spring and summer months. However, sunscreen is just as crucial to apply on cloudy days. In fact, the sun's harmful UV rays can penetrate up to 80% of passing clouds, leaving you largely unprotected without sunscreen.
Sunscreen is not just for anti-aging aesthetics. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends anyone over 6 months old to apply sunscreen every single day of the year, no matter the season, the weather, or your complexion.
Myth #4: You Need 10,000 Steps A Day To Be Healthy
The idea that taking 10,000 steps a day is necessary for our health isn't new. It dates back to the 1960s, when Japan began to market its new pedometer product, "manpo-kei," which translates directly to "10,000 steps meter." The name, however, emerged not from scientific study, but from its catchiness.
While tracking steps can be helpful for monitoring daily activity, 10,000 steps is not the golden standard. When setting fitness goals, consider exercise duration, intensity, limitations, and mileage (ex. aim for 5 miles a day).
Myth #5: Health Shortcuts Work
In the age of social media, we are constantly being bombarded and bamboozled by influencers selling skinny teas, "miracle" fat-burning pills, and questionable gadgets with the promise of extreme body and health transformation.
Tune out the noise and trust only responsible and legitimate health professionals who will all tell you the same thing: shortcuts do not work. Time, effort, and consistency are the true pillars of any successful health plan.
Myth #6: Taking Vitamin C Prevents Colds
Taking Vitamin C cannot altogether prevent the onslaught of a virus like the common cold. That being said, studies suggest Vitamin C can reduce your symptoms or shorten the overall duration of experienced symptoms. So, what's the most efficient way to protect yourself?
Popping a Vitamin C pill when you're already sick won't do much for your recovery. Instead, health professionals suggest eating a regular, nutrient-rich diet consisting of varying fruits and vegetables to stay healthy.
While this may seem like a no brainer, with the average smartphone user spending an average of 2.5 hours a day on social media, this simple fact can become easily distorted with the infinite flow of picture-perfect stills and reels at our fingertips.
For your own mental wellbeing, it is importantto not only constantly remind yourself to proceed with caution on social media, but actively follow users who prioritize sharing not only the good, but the bad and the ugly too.
There is no such thing as being a "weak" human being; there is only being human. Mental illness can affect anyone, and mental health is a work in progress with experienced ups and downs at different points in life. It should be perceived no differently than a physical illness like a scrape or injury.
Mental illness is caused by a variety of factors including genes, stress, and traumatic events and is a treatable medical condition, not a personal character flaw. You are perfectly imperfect and never alone in your experiences.
Myth #9: Eating Healthy Is Expensive
It is no secret that fast foods and highly processed snacks tend to be cheap and readily available, but the idea that eating healthy is more expensive is deeply untrue. Eating healthy is less about finances and more about learning what foods and meal plans fall within your budget.
Some tips for eating healthy on a budget include eating seasonal produce, incorporating frozen fruits and vegetables (which are primarily just as nutritious!), cooking at home, and eating more plant-based proteins.
We've all fallen into this trap at least once; we experience symptoms and wait things out in case they get better or turn out to be no cause for concern. However, the possibility of symptoms worsening or becoming more life-threatening increases the more we neglect them.
Your life is worth it. When in doubt, it is always better to take your health symptoms seriously from the start and consult with a trusted healthcare provider who takes your concerns seriously.
POLL: How many of the wellness myths above did you believe were true?
Designer, bestselling author, and founder of the School of Joy. I help people find more joy in life and work through design. Join more than 45,000 readers who receive our weekly treasure trove of science-backed tips, delightful discoveries, and inspiration for living a better life.
Your ultimate guide for captivating personal stories, actionable insights, and evidence-backed advice, propelling you toward a meaningful life. Join our community of 200,000+ readers!
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