I’m a huge proponent of travel, as you likely already know if you’ve been following me for a while. I’ve visited 41 countries to date, gave birth to my youngest daughter while living in Bangkok, and spent 15 years living overseas before moving back to the US just last year. You can read all about it in my memoir Passports and Parasites: An Extraordinary Journey of Adventure, Resilience, and Healing. While I strongly believe in ...

If you find yourself feeling lonely most days, please know you’re not alone. We’re in the midst of a loneliness epidemic, with nearly a quarter of the world reporting feeling “very lonely” and another quarter feeling “a little lonely”, according to a recent Meta-Gallup survey. And as someone who has lived overseas for 15 years while battling complex chronic illness, I completely understand what it’s like to feel lonely and isolated — both literally and ...

Although it’s been a strangely mild winter here in the U.S., we’re approaching that time of year when many of us are longing for a getaway. After all, we’ve had a few months to recover from the busy holiday season — and COVID, flu, and RSV infection rates are finally declining after a massive post-holiday spike.  Plus, since spring break is right around the corner, it’s natural to want to plan some time away with ...

If you subscribe to my e-newsletter, you may have recently seen my guide to setting realistic wellness goals for the new year. And by realistic, I mean health and wellness goals that can truly be achieved based on where you currently stand — not where you hope to stand once you’ve entered the new year and paid farewell to the person you were in 2023! Because as wonderful as it would be if each new ...

Beat the Post-Holiday Blues With an Extra Dose of Vitamin J   The holiday season is said to be one of the most wonderful times of the year, but in reality, it’s also one of the most challenging. Especially for those grieving the loss of a loved one; experiencing personal financial stress; or living with a complex chronic illness, mental health condition, or substance use disorder. The holidays themselves can be a major source of ...

‘Tis the season for travel, family gatherings, and holiday festivities…and winter illnesses like the flu, common cold, COVID-19, norovirus, and RSV. Cold and flu season peaks in the fall and winter largely because more people are gathering indoors, but also because many viruses are more transmissible in cooler, drier weather. Most people recover from these illnesses quickly and without issue, while some go on to experience life-threatening complications or long-term health effects. Long COVID, for ...