After a brutally cold winter, tulips and daffodils are finally poking their heads up out of the ground. They were a little late this year, and I don’t blame them. It’s been miserable outside for ages.
But the air is milder now, the sun is shining and the perennial flowers of spring are practically throwing a party, opening their petals wide and soaking it all up. The first chance I got, I joined them, and it lifted my spirits and renewed my hope. Is there anything better than a burst of warming light after a long, dark winter? I couldn’t help but smile and soak it all in, my face turned toward the sun. My mood felt lighter and brighter almost instantly. [More]

There’s this quiet moment that tends to sneak up on people—right after a check-up, or maybe during a long walk when your chest feels tight in a way it didn’t 10 years ago. It’s that flicker of realization that no one’s coming to manage your health for you. No doctor, no app, no magic diet will do the whole job. You’re it. The good news? That’s not a curse. It’s a kind of freedom. Taking the wheel of your own well-being doesn’t mean turning into a biohacking monk or drinking kale for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It simply means learning how to listen, act and show up for yourself in ways that feel sustainable and doable [More]

"What other questions can I answer before I go?"
I had lots of questions, too many to reasonably ask in the two or three minutes left of my appointment. And yet, I was intimidated — embarrassed, even — to voice my real concerns. It wasn't my doctor's fault: She is warm, friendly and inviting, and I knew she would address my questions with professionalism and compassion. It wasn't the first time I had a hard time asking my real question. Whenever I talk to my doctor about a concerning symptom, my ration and emotions are always at odds. On one hand, I know most symptoms point to something totally treatable. I also know that talking openly about my concerns either relieves my anxiety or gives me a much better shot at effectively treating a problem. [More]

Stress is part of everyday life, but it doesn’t have to knock you down. Instead of fighting it, you can use stress to grow, learn and become stronger. The key is figuring out what works for you — whether that’s changing your mindset, adjusting your habits or making some bigger life moves. Here are some practical ways to deal with stress without letting it take over your life [More]

Confession: Before I started working for IG Living, I hadn't heard of primary immune deficiency (PI). I wasn't completely unfamiliar with medical terms related to the immune system: I have an autoimmune disease, two of my kids have an immune disorder and the COVID-19 pandemic made us all familiar with the term "immune compromised." But PI was new to me, so I had a lot to learn. Medical speak can be confusing, especially when first learning about complicated conditions like PI. Doctors say a lot of things; having a solid grasp of what those words mean can make all the difference for really understanding it and managing it well. Here are 10 sets of easily confused terms related to PI, and a simple discussion of their meanings. [More]

Living with a chronic illness like primary immunodeficiency (PI) requires a strong healthcare team to make managing your health easier and improve your quality of life. Here are some tips to help you build a reliable care team and communicate effectively with your providers. [More]

The new year is upon us, and with it comes another opportunity to make better food choices and clean up our diets. After a month of rich, indulgent holiday food, my body is screaming for cleaner, greener fare. My 9-year-old son, however, dreads January because his freedom to choose between Christmas cookies or carrots at snack time has officially ended, and treats are relegated to a sometimes food instead of an all-the-time food. [More]

December just started, but I already have a case of what I call "giving fatigue." Opportunities to make charitable contributions, participate in coat, food or toy drives or sponsor needy families for the holidays are everywhere, and while a part of me wants to donate to all of them, there's another part of me that wants to bow out of holiday giving full stop. [More]