The internet has revolutionized how we approach health, from diet tips to mental health advice and everything in between. But for all its wealth of information, it can also be an overwhelming, confusing, and sometimes dangerous place—especially when it comes to health advice. I know this all too well. Over the past few years, my health has been on a rollercoaster ride, and navigating the endless rabbit holes of online health information has only made it worse.
The Struggle: An Exhausting Quest for Answers
When my second son was born in 2019, my health began to deteriorate. What followed were years of frustration, experimentation, and endless attempts to “fix” myself. I moved between restrictive diets and supplement binges, only to swing to the other extreme—eating whatever I wanted, drinking wine out of frustration, and feeling defeated by the lack of answers. My health was a mystery that no amount of blood tests, MRIs, or doctor’s visits seemed to solve.
Despite being a Nurse Practitioner with nearly a decade of experience, I was lost. I knew the answer in theory, but I couldn’t put the puzzle pieces together. I had migraines, vision changes, joint pain, rashes, anxiety, and more. I couldn’t enjoy time with my family. I was consumed by the idea that something was seriously wrong—maybe even a brain tumor. I was terrified of what my future would look like if this never ended.
The Dangers of Self-Diagnosis and Social Media Advice
During this difficult time, I turned to the internet for answers. I mean, what else could I do? My family Doctor suggested anxiety medicine, the Neurologist suggested migraine medicine, and the OBGYN completely ignored my cry for help and rushed me through the appointment.
Every website I visited contradicted the last one. Paleo vs. low-carb. Protein vs. fat. Gluten-free vs. Whole30. It was endless. As someone with a Type A personality, I dove in headfirst. I spent hours researching, trying every possible solution—only to find that it was doing more harm than good. My brain was on overload, and I was losing all perspective.
The internet has its benefits, but it’s also full of misinformation, sales pitches, and “quick fixes” that lead people down dangerous paths. The problem is that for people like me—who tend to be obsessive and “all-in” when it comes to goals—information overload can make us spiral. I went from one restrictive diet to another, cutting out entire food groups in search of something that would finally work. But instead of healing, I was depleting my body of essential nutrients and causing myself to feel even worse.
This kind of self-diagnosis can be incredibly dangerous, especially without professional guidance. It’s easy to convince yourself that you’ve got it all figured out, but the truth is that your symptoms could be pointing to something more complex that requires a healthcare professional’s input. That’s the mistake I made. I didn’t give myself the time or space to properly assess what was going on. Instead, I kept chasing the latest health trend, convinced it was the answer.
The True Root Cause: Stress and Burnout
After months of searching for a physical solution to my health problems, it finally hit me: the issue wasn’t my body—it was the overwhelming stress I was under. I was raising two young children, working long hours in a high-stress job, and dealing with a miscarriage. No amount of dietary changes or supplements could fix the exhaustion and mental strain I was experiencing.
It was as though I was trying to “heal” myself from a place of burnout, which made me feel even more inadequate. I was consumed by trying to control everything—my diet, my sleep, my workouts—and still couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. But what I really needed was peace. The kind of peace that comes from slowing down, simplifying, and nurturing myself from the inside out.
Redefining Self-Care: The Truth About Wellness
Here’s what I’ve learned over the past six years: The quest for control over our health often gives us a false sense of security. We are constantly told that self-care requires a laundry list of tasks—exercising, eating perfectly, meditating, sleeping, and so on. But in reality, we often mistake these demands for true self-care, which is more about being than doing.
True self-care isn’t about adhering to a rigid schedule or doing something because we feel we “should.” It’s about listening to our bodies, acknowledging our limits, and allowing ourselves to rest, play, and relax when needed. For me, self-care meant returning to simple joys I had forgotten: dancing to my favorite music, playing outside with my kids, and journaling just for the sake of expression—not because it was another task to check off.
How I Turned My Health Around
It wasn’t one magic supplement or diet that turned my health around—it was a shift in mindset. Here’s how I began to heal:
- I played more. I let go of the guilt that came with “not being productive” and made time for fun—whether it was dancing around my living room, blowing bubbles, or sledding with my kids.
- I embraced rest. I stopped pushing myself to work out when I felt exhausted. Instead, I took walks when I felt like it and listened to my body’s needs each day.
- I simplified my diet. No more extreme diets. I ate healthy fats, quality foods, and gave myself permission to enjoy life without guilt.
- I started journaling. I allowed myself to express whatever was on my mind, whether it was gratitude or frustration. And if I didn’t feel like journaling, I didn’t.
- I stopped overthinking. Instead of trying to control everything, I let go of the need for perfection and learned to enjoy the present moment.
- I made space for peace. I reduced external stressors and noise, focusing on creating a peaceful environment at home and in my mind.
The Takeaway: Seek Professional Help, But Listen to Yourself Too
If you’re struggling with your health—whether physically or mentally—it’s crucial to seek guidance from a professional. Doctors, specialists, and therapists are trained to help you figure out what’s going on. But that doesn’t mean you should blindly follow advice from the internet or social media influencers. Instead, take the time to listen to your body, trust your intuition, and find balance in your life.
We can’t control everything, but we can choose to prioritize peace, simplicity, and self-compassion. That’s the kind of care that truly heals.
If you’re in a place where you feel overwhelmed, remember that it’s okay to ask for help. There’s no shame in seeking professional support—whether from a doctor, a therapist, or a coach. And most importantly, be kind to yourself. Healing takes time, and sometimes, the best thing you can do for your health is to simply breathe and let go of the need for control.
If you think guidance would benefit you, reach out to me. This is what I do!
brennaosmolinski@gmail.com
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