Some mornings, I wake up with a racing heart, my brain buzzing with a dozen worries before I’ve even gotten out of bed. Sound familiar? That persistent undercurrent of unease used to define the start of nearly every day for me—until I stumbled upon something surprisingly simple: daily affirmations. I didn’t think repeating positive phrases…
It took me years—and a few major burnouts—to understand that my anxiety wasn’t just about racing thoughts or sleepless nights. It was about boundaries. Or more accurately, the lack of them. If you’ve ever found yourself saying yes when your gut screamed no, felt physically sick from guilt after setting a limit, or overexplaining your…
Caregiving can be one of the most rewarding experiences in life—but also one of the most emotionally draining. When I was caring for my aging father after his stroke, I thought I had everything under control. But anxiety crept in quietly, day after day, until it felt like I was carrying a weight I couldn’t…
Night after night, I used to lie awake—mind racing, heart pounding, the dark ceiling above offering no comfort. I’d try everything from deep breathing to melatonin, yet nothing seemed to flip that inner “off” switch. Sound familiar? If your nights are stolen by spirals of anxious thoughts, you’re not alone. Developing calming bedtime routines for…
If you’ve ever lived with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you know how stubborn joint pain and stiffness can be, especially when the weather turns chilly or after a long day on your feet. Over the years, working closely with patients as a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how simple tools like heat wraps can offer…
Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can feel like a full-time job. Trust me—I’ve walked alongside so many patients in the trenches as a rheumatology nurse practitioner, and I get it. The pain, the fatigue, the emotional toll—it all adds up. But here’s the thing: lifestyle really does make a difference. That’s why I’ve put together…
As someone who’s spent years helping patients manage their respiratory conditions, one thing I’ve consistently seen make a big difference is learning how to journal asthma symptoms. I know—it might sound like just another task to add to your already busy life, but trust me on this one. Keeping a symptom journal isn’t just for…
If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, it’s that stress and arthritis go together like thunderstorms and leaky roofs — one just makes the other worse. When my patients ask me about the best ways to manage stress with arthritis, I always say: it’s not just about popping pills or stretching…
If you’ve ever wrapped up a workout only to feel like your joints are staging a protest rally, you’re not alone. As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve had countless patients ask me what the best post-workout recovery tips for arthritis really are. And not just textbook advice—real-life, doable strategies that actually help. So, I’m diving…