Wellness
Traveling With Chronic Pain
Written by Tam Warner Minton When I began solo traveling and performing citizen science after my children left home, one of my family’s major concerns was how I would manage my back pain alone. What would I do without help? I have had two major back surgeries, and I am fused from L2-S2 with rods …
Why Does Medication Cost So Much?
The High Cost of Medication: A Critical Piece in the Puzzle of Healthcare Reform Written by Caitlin Schille, MPH One of President Trump’s chief campaign promises was an oath to repeal the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare. This has proven to be a greater struggle than the President perhaps anticipated, and this struggle has re-opened …
How to Get Mental Health Care When You’re Broke
Written by Emily Rollins As science progresses, we understand more and more that the brain and body are intimately connected. Unchecked stress and unresolved traumas can haunt us for years, undermining our health and our relationships. One in four people will be affected by mental illness at some point in their lives. And as conditions …
The Power of Defaults
Written by Caitlin Schille We like to think that we critically analyze each choice we make. We like to think that the decisions we make are the result of our own volition and coming to our own conclusions. But you are caught in the trap of your own cognitive biases. A cognitive bias is the …
Paying For Healthcare: The Battle of the Insured
Why healthcare coverage is often a meager blanket, and which alternatives are winning new followers Much of the healthcare debate revolves around the uninsured, but those with health insurance are facing a stark reality of their own: insurance is often not the security they need. Employer-sponsored insurance covers half of the non-elderly population, or about …
Coconut Oil Conspiracy?
The coconut oil industry likes to promote coconut oil as “good” saturated fat, but is coconut oil really as healthy as they suggest? Let’s take a closer look and see just how “good” it is. Coconut oil is extracted from the meat of the coconut and contains mostly saturated fat (around 92%). Ounce for ounce, …
Concussion Confusion
The founder of National Concussion Awareness Day talks about misconceptions surrounding concussions, and some hope for the future. Written by Brooke Mills, founder of National Concussion Awareness Day Two years ago, after struggling from Post-Concussion Syndrome, I founded National Concussion Awareness Day. In my journey I saw firsthand the lack of understanding that surrounds mild …
5 Insomnia Hacks That Will Change Your Life
Written by Emily Rollins Getting a good night’s rest is hard these days, but it shouldn’t have to be. Don’t settle for poor sleep. Instead, use these five hacks to gain control of your insomnia and get ready to wake up as a healthier, happier person! Problem #1: Tense muscles and twitchy legs The hack: …
Fat Shaming – A New Perspective
Written by Caitlin Schille, MPH Are you familiar with the relatively new term of “fat-shaming?” Fat-shaming is when people try to make others who fall into the categories of overweight and obese feel badly about themselves and about their bodies. Those staunchly against fat-shaming promote overall body positivity— the idea that all people should feel …
Let’s Chat About Herpes
Written By Caitlin Schille Let’s take a walk back to junior high school and do a refresher course on herpes. Here are some facts about herpes: Is herpes a virus or a bacteria? Herpes is a virus. Viruses are smaller than bacteria and need a living host to survive- such as your body. Where can …
