Does my writing pass the inspiration test?

I have writing-induced hypochondria. Every time I write about a health problem, I become convinced I have it. Right now I’m battling a (real or imagined) vitamin D deficiency and skin cancer. A few months ago when I wrote about prostate cancer was a very confusing time for me.

Usually the wellness pieces I write give an informative overview of a health-related topic: some tips on prevention, interesting little “Did You Know…” nuggets, some statistics… my goals are to inspire readers to make healthy choices, and to show them a few easy ways to get the ball rolling.

When I write about a specific health problem, I aim for a sympathetic tone. For example, if I’m writing about quitting smoking, I don’t want to make the smoker feel bad about himself. After all, a lot of our lousy health choices are a result of feeling lousy about ourselves, right? And I don’t want to fuel a reader’s frustration with a loved one who smokes, either. I try for a tone of understanding and encouragement. I want my readers to feel good about themselves, so they care enough to actually do the things I’ve suggested. Go for a walk. Eat some broccoli. Go to bed earlier. Make that doctor appointment.

I like writing about wellness, because it inspires me to make better choices too. Not that I always follow through, but every time I manage to choose the healthier path is a small victory. I want my readers to see how their small victories add up.

So as much as I joke about my hypochondria, I’m glad about it. If I am obsessively checking for suspicious moles and stocking up on vitamin D, maybe my readers are too. If I don’t find myself moved to action, I probably haven’t pushed my readers either.

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Tags: health, inspiration, marketing, wellness, writing