It’s overwhelming with information coming at us on TV, podcasts, blogs, subscriptions, social media, conversations, and more. Health and wellness is a field with an opportunity to offer many tips, theories, and suggestions. With the amount of health information we receive, at its best, it’s overwhelming. The scary and frustrating part is that, at its worst, it’s inaccurate, and the source’s motives are usually self-fulfilling. Accurate information delivered by reliable sources can also be utterly contradictory to another reliable source of information. This can send us fear, overwhelm, and paralysis of what to do or where to start. In full acknowledgment, sharing health information is also part of my job- so here we are again. So what do we do? Who do we trust? Filter your information and create behaviors around these strategies to support your health process.
Trust your source. A 2024 study found that over 40% of information revealed on TikTok was inaccurate, and 70% of people have been exposed to health information on the internet in one form or another. Most people even seek out Dr. Google before consulting with their doctors or providers. Know that the internet and social media have no restrictions on whether information is accurate, and we live in a world where misinformation is more easily spread than accurate or scientific information. Anyone can wake up and decide to write blogs or create a social feed on any topic. When you review health information, ensure the source has credentials in the medical field. Look at the list at the bottom of the blog to see what the letters mean, and check to see if your person has them! Reputable sources I generally rely on and have been trained to use as resources for clients are the CDC, USDA, Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, Harvard Health, Standford Health Library, and PubMed (medical journals). Also, any non-profit condition or cause-specific association is generally reputable, American Heart Association, for example. In your feed, check to see that the person you are following has taken the time to receive responsible training and credentialing to serve you best.
Are Health Coaches reputable? Sadly, as a health coach, not all of them are. While we have made great strides as a profession, no current barriers exist to anyone calling themselves a health coach. However, a fantastic credentialing body came about in 2017 to gain credibility in the profession, which requires rigorous training, client supervision, and sitting for a problematic board exam administered by the National Board of Medical Examiners. Be sure your health coach has their NBC-HWC credential. I have that and other credentials, and I also have my master’s in health and wellness coaching- alongside many other reputable health coaches.
Take one step at a time. We can feel flooded with ideas, tips, and recommendations when we are open to healthy lifestyle changes, like eating better or moving more. We can go from being motivated to feeling overwhelmed, like we’ll never hit these goals, and we quit before we start. It’s essential to begin with one step at a time. Choose one area. Know your ultimate goal, take one strategy, and implement it into your week once or twice. Then, see what works and grow from there. Perfection is not the goal and is usually the biggest enemy of success.
What if the information is contradictory? Many approaches to healthcare and lifestyle are valid, with science and experience behind them, but they completely contradict each other. It’s, well, annoying and confusing. This is where autonomy comes in. Do some research and choose a path that aligns with your values, where you want to go, and your lifestyle. You may even pick and choose a couple of strategies from differing approaches. It’s up to you to fit into one box or create your own. Then, listen to your own body. Try new things and see how it impacts you. Do what feels good to you in your body and keep down that path. Remember, you have the power to choose what’s best for you.
Feeling overwhelmed? Taking a break from the constant stream of health information is okay. Turn off the scroll, the Google, and the podcasts that deliver the information. Instead, set specific times to check for updates when you’re available and open to learning more. This will help you stay focused and avoid feeling inundated with information. Remember, taking a step back and prioritizing your mental well-being is okay.
List of Professional (Most Common) Abbreviations in Healthcare
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