The Real Health "Hack"

There are a lot of wellness “hacks” out there.
Green powders. Cold plunges. Fancy supplements.

And while I love a great health product, if I’m being honest, if I had to point to one single thing that has made the biggest difference in my overall wellness — it’s helping others with theirs.

Over the years, I’ve seen the pattern. The times when I’ve taken the best care of myself (when I’m consistent with nourishing food, prioritizing rest, and managing my stress) are always the times when I’m actively coaching or supporting other women on their wellness journeys.

When I’m guiding someone else through the process of slowing down, creating balance, or rebuilding healthy routines, I can’t help but check in with myself.
Am I doing the same?
Am I living what I’m teaching?

There’s something incredibly grounding about walking alongside someone else who’s making the effort to feel their best. It pulls you back into alignment with your own values and reminds you why this stuff matters in the first place!

Working in the health and wellness space, for me, is an anchor.
It keeps me accountable, compassionate, and connected — not just to others, but to myself.

Maybe you’ve noticed this too — how inviting a friend to walk with you makes you actually go, even on the mornings you’d rather stay in bed. Or how sharing a recipe, podcast, or wellness article with someone reminds you why those habits even matter in the first place.

It’s not just coincidence. There’s real psychology behind it.

1. The Helper’s High

Helping others triggers a release of feel-good chemicals like dopamine and oxytocin — nature’s built-in reward system.
When we encourage, listen, or support someone else, we experience a lift in mood and energy ourselves.
So when you cheer on a friend who got up the courage to sign up for their first 5K or is drinking more water, your brain is literally thanking you for it.

2. Accountability Through Altruism

We’ll often show up for other people long before we’ll show up for ourselves.
When you know someone’s counting on you, it’s harder to skip that morning yoga class.
Helping someone else gives you external accountability — a gentle kind of pressure that leads to consistency, which is everything in wellness.

3. Becoming Who You Say You Are

When you help others on their wellness journey, you start seeing yourself as a wellness person.
Psychologists call this identity reinforcement — our behaviors tend to align with who we believe we are.
If you’re the person who shares healthy ideas, encourages others, and prioritizes movement, your actions naturally start matching that role.

4. Connection and Belonging

We’re wired for connection. Having someone to check in with, celebrate with, or simply walk beside makes the process lighter — and more fun.
Shared goals create belonging, and belonging boosts well-being.
Your walks become more than exercise — they become community.

5. The Mirror Effect

Ever notice how teaching or encouraging someone else reminds youto follow your own advice?
Explaining the benefits of better sleep or hydration reinforces those ideas in your own mind.
It’s like holding up a mirror — the advice you give out comes right back to you.

The Take Away

At the end of the day, helping others feel well helps you feel well. It’s about the simple, human truth that we rise when we lift others.

When you support someone else — by inviting them to exercise with you, checking in to see how they’re doing, or sharing something that inspired you — you naturally return to your own center. You reconnect with what matters. You show up more consistently. You live more intentionally.

So the next time you want to feel more grounded, more motivated, or more aligned with your wellness goals, don’t look for another hack. Reach out to someone. Share something. Offer encouragement.

Helping someone else might just be the most powerful wellness tool you already have — and the one that keeps you well, too!

If you’re considering a career in health coaching, I highly recommend training with → Institute for Integrative Nutrition
Use my exclusive discount code “ABIGAILCHARETTEXIIN” for the biggest savings of the year.

Because sometimes the most transformative thing you can do for your health,
is to start helping others transform theirs!

Where to Next?