Ok, so picture the scene. You're at home lying on your bed listening to music when suddenly you get a bit light headed when you go to sit up, It kinda "freaks you out" a little bit and so you grab your phone and type it into Google search for a little bit of reassurance and to be told you need to eat some chocolate and relax. Instead, you're told you have a brain tumour, cancer or an undiagnosed heart condition. Queue panic attack and searching the internet for other symptoms.
STOP! Put down your phone or internet browsing device thingy me jiggy and take a deep breath.
Google is a web directory, it shows you all the websites which answer your question, it shows you all the content with similar searches to yours. Google is not a doctor...
As someone who has done this in the past, I can 100% relate to anyone who frantically searches Google for every spot and symptom. I once spent 8 hours researching Angina and convinced myself I had it. Why? because I had some indigestion in my chest. I was convinced I was dying, I was convinced that my doctors had missed something, I was certain that I was the only one in the entire Universe who could possibly understand this feeling and the greater powers above were sending me a "sign" to go and get checked out.
Actually, it was none of that nonsense. I, like so many millions of others had typed up symptoms in Google expecting to be diagnosed and make myself an expert on illnesses, when in fact, all I did was give myself unnecessary anxiety and stress.
This might seem like a completely random blog but I was watching a vlog where Zoella Google'd her symptoms of a 24 hour bug she had gotten and had diagnosed herself with the answers she found on Google and all I could think of was "NO DON'T DO IT ZOE!" because I too have done it, got it wrong and obsessed about it for months. Literally.
While I'm sure Zoe didn't diagnose herself with some life threatening illness or anything like that and before anyone says anything, I'm not throwing "shade" at Zoe, (I love Zoe and her Vlogs! inspiring girl!). I just really felt as though it needed to be addressed because I know if you're reading this, you've probably done it too. Yes, you. Don't lie, you're only kidding yourself!
It's hard to step away from Google when you have a little problem, but it's so important you do! Here's a few tips to keep you calm and AWAY from Doctor Google...
1 - Talk to your family instead. Go and grab someone you love and tell them you're a little bit concerned about something. More often than not, they will give you an explanation because they might have had the same thing. A problem shared is a problem halved and all that quiche.
2 - Take a few deep breaths and try to keep calm. Remember this, regardless of how you decide to deal with a problem, the problem will still be there. So if you have a Migraine and freak out about it, the migraine will still be there regardless. Your best bet would be to take a deep breath and take control of your emotions. This allows you to think clearly and rationally. (I wish I could practice what I preach!)
3 - Do some Yoga. If you feel well enough to do this then do so. I promise I've not gone all 'Hippy Holly' on you but Yoga really lengthens your muscles and stretches you out. Apart from anything else it takes your mind off of anything you may be worrying about and allows you to relax.
4 - Drink alcohol. Jokes! Drink water. A lot of problems come from not being hydrated, especially in the summer time so take a glass of water and drink it slowly. You will feel a bit better... or maybe you'll just need to pee. LOL sorry about that.
5 - Go to the actual Doctor. Obviously this one is important and just as a wee disclaimer, I would say that with any medical problems a phonecall or a visit to your doctor will put your mind at ease and help you with anything that might be going on. Just remember that most ailments are minor, so try not to read too much into your symptoms.
Bye Bye Doctor Google!
Do you use Google for symptoms or medical advice? Let me know in the comments below, I would love to hear your thoughts and if you've done this before.
All My Love
Holly xxxxxxx
