Is Being Healthy a Value?

When we consider society today, the pursuit of health is often seen as a value in itself. We hear phrases like "health is wealth" and are encouraged to prioritise our well-being above all else. But is being healthy truly a value, or is it a means to an end? In this blog, we’ll explore the idea that the desire to be healthy is driven by deeper beliefs and values, and that understanding these underlying motivations can lead to a more meaningful approach to health.

Defining Health

Health is a broad concept, encompassing physical, mental, and emotional well-being. For some, being healthy means hitting the gym regularly, eating nutritious meals, and getting enough sleep. For others, it’s about maintaining a positive mindset, managing stress, or nurturing relationships. However, while health is often treated as a standalone value, it may actually serve as a foundation that enables us to live out other, more profound values.

The Underlying Beliefs Behind Health

When we dig deeper, it becomes clear that the pursuit of health is often motivated by values that go beyond simply wanting to feel good. For some, being healthy is tied to discipline—the ability to set and achieve goals, to maintain control over one’s body and mind. For others, it’s about self-respect and the belief that taking care of oneself is a reflection of self-worth. Health can also be connected to growth, a desire to continually improve and reach one’s potential. The list is endless. 

These underlying beliefs suggest that health isn’t just about physical or mental well-being—it’s a way to express and live out the values that matter most to us.

What Does Being Healthy Allow You to Do?

Health is not an end in itself but a means to something greater. When we are healthy, we have the energy, focus, and resilience to pursue our passions, be present for our loved ones, and achieve our personal and professional goals. Being healthy allows us to live a life aligned with our values.

For instance, someone who values family might prioritise their health so they can be an active, engaged parent. Someone who values creativity might find that maintaining good mental and physical health allows them to be more inspired and productive in their work. For me, being healthy gives me more energy so I can live a full, action packed life! 

Why Do You Want to Be Healthy?

It’s important to ask yourself: why do you want to be healthy? What are the deeper motivations behind your commitment to health? Understanding these motivations can help you develop a more fulfilling and sustainable approach to well-being.

A core value of mine is maximising potential. Being healthy reflects longevity, zest and vitality, so I can live a long, happy and energised life. Staying healthy means I can actively participate in my run club, BEXI, and complete challenging events like UTA50. It’s not just about personal fitness; it’s about being part of a supportive and motivating community, and maintaining the social connections that are so important to me.

Whatever your reasons, connecting with the underlying beliefs that drive your desire to be healthy can provide clarity and purpose, making it easier to stay committed to your well-being.

Moving Beyond the Surface

The key to a fulfilling approach to health is to align your practices with your deeper values. Rather than simply following trends or societal pressures, take the time to explore what truly matters to you. Are you pursuing health because it’s what you "should" do, or because it genuinely reflects your values and beliefs?

Here's 5 steps to help you identify what being healthy means to you:

1. Identify Your Core Values: Reflect on your core values and how they connect to your health goals.
2. Set Meaningful Health Goals: Tie your health goals to your deeper values for a more meaningful pursuit.
3. Practice Mindful Decision-Making: Ensure your health choices align with your values.
4. Create a Personal Wellness Vision: Write a vision statement that incorporates your values.
5. Seek Support Aligned with Your Values: Surround yourself with people who understand and support your values.

What this looks like in action:

1. Identify Your Core Values: My core values are vision, action, empowerment, making a difference, maximising potential and continuous growth. 
2. Set Meaningful Health Goals: My next health goal is to return to running uninjured and run my second UltraTrail event.   
3. Practice Mindful Decision-Making: Running another UltraTrail aligns with my values of action, maximising potential and continuous growth. UltraTrail events are challenging and grueling, fostering resilience building and continuous growth beyond my comfort zone. It is a test of my physical potential and having an event in my sights spurs me to take action!
4. Create a Personal Wellness Vision: Being healthy allows me to live a long, happy and energised life! When the training gets tough, this vision will help inspire me to keep going.  
5. Seek Support Aligned with Your Values: BEXI is my chosen support system - a community of women who also want to stay active, connect and push their limits. (It doesn't have to be a whole community though, you might have a gym buddy, personal trainer or join an online program). 

By aligning your health practices with your values, you can create a more meaningful and sustainable path to well-being.

Conclusion

Health is more than just a value—it’s a way to live out our deeper beliefs and values. By understanding what motivates your desire to be healthy, you can approach well-being with greater clarity, purpose, and fulfilment.

As you reflect on your own life, remember that the true value of health lies not just in the physical benefits, but in how it enables you to live a life that is meaningful and aligned with what truly matters to you.

So ask yourself, what does 'being healthy' mean to you?