Staying Healthy

Debunking common wellness myths

Let's tease out the truth of health advice touted as "facts."

By , Executive Editor, Harvard Women's Health Watch
  • Reviewed by Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor

photo of a woman drinking a large juice drink using a straw, with a look on her face that suggests she dislikes the taste

Some tried-and-true wellness guidance we can spot a mile away: get enough sleep, move your body regularly, and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, for starters. But social media now pummels us with so-called health advice at such a rapid pace it can be difficult to know what to heed — and what to ignore.

Much of it is of dubious value. But the reason this counsel is confusing is that many wellness myths contain a grain of truth, says Dr. Leonor Fernandez, a primary care doctor at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

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About the Author

photo of Maureen Salamon

Maureen Salamon, Executive Editor, Harvard Women's Health Watch

Maureen Salamon is executive editor of Harvard Women’s Health Watch. She began her career as a newspaper reporter and later covered health and medicine for a wide variety of websites, magazines, and hospitals. Her work has … See Full Bio
View all posts by Maureen Salamon

About the Reviewer

photo of Toni Golen, MD

Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor

Dr. Toni Golen is a physician specializing in obstetrics and gynecology, practicing in Boston. Dr. Golen completed her residency training at George Washington University Medical Center in 1995, and is an associate professor at Harvard Medical … See Full Bio
View all posts by Toni Golen, MD

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