Everyone has been there. You have a party or group event coming up that has been on your calendar for weeks. Maybe you were excited about it when you got invited! But for whatever reason, as the day approaches, you start to feel more and more anxious about going. Cancelling plans is nothing out of… Continue reading Cancelling Plans Constantly Because Socializing Suddenly Feels Overwhelming?
Symptoms, Burnout, and the Invisible Mental Load
Some of the common questions that people ask after getting a Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA) diagnosis are: These are normal questions to have! FA affects the nervous system, heart, muscles, how your body produces energy, and emotions. It touches every part of daily life and can lead to a mental wear-and-tear that builds slowly over many… Continue reading Symptoms, Burnout, and the Invisible Mental Load
Keeping the Hobbies You Love With FA – From Travel to Gaming to Everyday Routines
Living with Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA) changes many parts of your life. Over time, things that once felt easy can start to take more planning, more energy, or more patience. One of the hardest parts of FA that many people talk about is the feeling that your world is getting smaller. Maybe you used to love… Continue reading Keeping the Hobbies You Love With FA – From Travel to Gaming to Everyday Routines
Workplace and School Accessibility Accommodations That Actually Help When Living With FA
Living with Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA) changes the way someone moves through school, work, and everyday life. It is a progressive neuromuscular disease that affects balance, coordination, speech, endurance, and fine motor skills. But having FA does not mean someone cannot succeed in school or build a meaningful career! What usually makes the biggest difference is… Continue reading Workplace and School Accessibility Accommodations That Actually Help When Living With FA
Why “Bouncing Back” After Birth Is Unrealistic
The phrase “bounce back” has unfortunately become the default language around postpartum recovery. New moms are often met with comments about their bodies, whether it’s “you don’t even look like you had a baby” or “you’re getting your figure back”, it can unintentionally reinforce the pressure to return to how they looked before pregnancy. However,… Continue reading Why “Bouncing Back” After Birth Is Unrealistic
IVF and Isolation: Why It Happens and How to Cope
Going through IVF can feel like life has suddenly split into two worlds. The one everyone else seems to be living in, and the one shaped by appointments, injections, waiting periods, and uncertainty. Even when friends and family are supportive, many people still describe IVF as unexpectedly isolating. This feeling isn’t uncommon, and it doesn’t… Continue reading IVF and Isolation: Why It Happens and How to Cope
Protein-first Breakfast Swaps That Help Reduce Afternoon Energy Crashes and Cravings
People always say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Whether or not you think this is true, how you start your day does have a significant impact on how you feel and your energy levels later! Traditional breakfasts include foods like yogurt, bagels, cereal, eggs, and fruit. But did you know… Continue reading Protein-first Breakfast Swaps That Help Reduce Afternoon Energy Crashes and Cravings
What Helps When Alzheimer’s Causes Agitation, Confusion, or Anger in Your Loved One
Many caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s expect memory loss, but they are often surprised when their loved one gets agitated, confused, restless, angry, or even aggressive. These behavioral changes can be frightening! The good news is that these behaviors usually happen for a reason. Understanding why they occur can help you respond more effectively and… Continue reading What Helps When Alzheimer’s Causes Agitation, Confusion, or Anger in Your Loved One
How Improving Sleep, Stress, and Recovery Habits Can Support Blood Pressure, Weight, and Heart Health
When people think about their heart health, they usually focus on two areas: eating better and exercising more. These habits are important, butthey are only part of the picture. For people who have cardiometabolic health conditions like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, or heart disease, sleep, stress, and recovery habits are often… Continue reading How Improving Sleep, Stress, and Recovery Habits Can Support Blood Pressure, Weight, and Heart Health
How Depression Affects Communication and Relationships – And Small Ways to Reduce Isolation
Depression is often described as a condition that affects mood, energy, and motivation. While those symptoms are very real, depression also has another powerful effect that is sometimes overlooked. It can change the way people connect, communicate, and build relationships. Relationships play an important role in emotional well-being. When depression interferes with this, it can… Continue reading How Depression Affects Communication and Relationships – And Small Ways to Reduce Isolation