The Benefits of Reading Health Blogs

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There’s a lot of health and wellness information out there. Health blogs can help readers sort through the varying opinions and understand what’s important to them.

Across 2 experimental scenario-based studies, reading a medical blog was found to increase readers’ intentions to take future preventative health actions. This was true regardless of whether the blog was personal, general or focused on statistics. One can visit the site to get complete insights about Health Blog.

1. They are a source of information

Many patients and family members write medical blogs to share their experiences with a wider audience. These blogs are often therapeutic and can help patients feel connected with others who have the same condition or are going through the same treatment as them. They can also provide them with valuable information and support.

A recent study evaluated the effects of blog content on health intentions by comparing 3 different types of medical blogs: personal narratives, statistics-oriented, and general cancer-related. The results indicated that reading the blogs led to a higher intention to take preventative health actions but did not impact perceptions of barriers or severity.

The researchers speculate that the different formats of medical blogs work differently to influence the reader’s behavior. The personal narratives may evoke an emotional response, while the statistics-oriented blog provides objective data and reduces readers’ beliefs about their own susceptibility to disease.

2. They can be a source of support

Many health blogs take a broad approach to medical topics, so they can be used for general information or to learn more about specific diseases or conditions. These types of blogs are often written in simple, accessible language and avoid technical jargon to ensure that they can be read by a wide audience.

In one study, researchers found that reading patient-created blogs increased the intention to take preventative health actions such as scheduling skin checks or doctor appointments. This impact was independent of perceived risk or severity. Several participants also indicated that reading the medical blog made them feel connected to other people who were going through similar situations, which was helpful for them emotionally. Other participants described feeling inspired by the blogger’s determination to live positively in spite of their challenges.

3. They can be a source of inspiration

Often, when reading health blogs, you’re inspired to learn more about certain facets of your own life that can improve your overall wellness. From sleep to diet, there are numerous things that you can do to make yourself healthy and fit.

For example, mental health blogs can help you understand how to overcome the stigma associated with seeking professional support or talking about your feelings. They can also give you the confidence to overcome negative thought patterns and change your lifestyle for the better.

4. They can be a source of motivation

Researchers have found that reading a health blog can inspire people to take action to protect their own health. In 2 experimental scenarios and a qualitative survey of real readers, blogs significantly impacted intentions to take future preventative health actions (scheduling skin checks or asking their doctor about whether they are at risk for a particular disease). And in all 3 studies, the type of blog used – personal narrative, statistical, and general – was significant in impacting these intentions. Furthermore, perceived barriers did not mediate this relationship, contrary to previous research.

Those who follow the health blog, for example, can read about everything from toxic personal care products to the best hangover cures. In addition, many of the stories are uplifting and can give readers a healthy dose of inspiration. The brain requires motivation to learn new things just like the body requires exercise to stay fit. This is exactly what you get when you read a medical blog.