For anyone living with chronic illness, every day is full of decisions that often feel like a balancing act. Managing symptoms, energy, and self-care means making trade-offs that most people never have to consider. Whether it’s taking a medication with difficult side effects or choosing rest over social time, each choice comes with its own set of challenges. In this post, we’ll cover common chronic illness trade-offs, offer tips for managing these choices, and provide resources to help make each decision a little bit easier.

Self-advocacy is a powerful skill, especially when managing a chronic illness. But communicating needs, preferences, and concerns in medical settings can feel daunting. Many people with chronic conditions find it challenging to speak up, especially if they’ve had negative experiences with dismissive providers. However, using certain phrases can help you navigate conversations, make your needs known, and build a more collaborative relationship with your healthcare team. Here are ten phrases to keep in your self-advocacy toolkit, plus tips to help you feel more empowered.

Invisible Disabilities Week is an important reminder that many of us live with challenges that aren’t immediately visible to others. Invisible disabilities encompass a wide range of conditions, including chronic illnesses, mental health disorders, and neurodivergent conditions. These disabilities can impact our daily lives, relationships, and overall well-being, yet they often remain unseen. As a result, individuals living with invisible disabilities may encounter misunderstanding or skepticism from others, which can further exacerbate feelings of isolation.

When severe weather strikes, being prepared is critical, especially when you live with a chronic illness. To help you stay safe and minimize health risks during an emergency, we’ve outlined essential steps to ensure you're ready. Use this guide to prepare ahead of time, and keep it handy for future emergencies.

October is Dysautonomia Awareness Month, a time to shed light on the various conditions that fall under the dysautonomia umbrella. Dysautonomia refers to disorders of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), the part of your body that controls automatic functions like heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and temperature regulation. When the ANS is disrupted, it can cause a wide range of symptoms, making diagnosis and treatment a challenge. For the 70 million people worldwide living with dysautonomia, awareness is key to fostering understanding and getting the right support. This post will break down some of the most common types of dysautonomia, how they’re diagnosed, and the treatment options available.

As we approach Migraine Awareness Week (September 23-29), it’s important to recognize that many in the chronic illness community live with the daily challenge of migraines. For those managing multiple chronic conditions, migraines can feel like an extra burden layered on top of everything else. Migraines are often misunderstood. They’re not “just headaches,” but complex neurological events that affect the entire body. Let’s take this week to raise awareness—not just about migraines themselves, but about the lesser-known triggers that can bring them on, especially for those already managing other chronic conditions

Living with a chronic illness often feels like a daily balancing act. You manage symptoms, treatments, doctor’s appointments, and the list goes on, all while juggling the expectations of daily life. So why does asking for help sometimes feel wrong? Many of us with chronic illness struggle with accepting help, even when we need it most. This reluctance can come from many places, including societal pressures, internal guilt, or a fear of losing independence. One of the biggest barriers for me is the fear of being a burden. Unfortunately, it’s common for those of us in the chronic illness community to feel like we’re “too much” for the people we love. But needing help doesn’t make you a burden—it just makes you human. Let’s explore why accepting help can feel so challenging and how to ease into asking for support without guilt.

If you live with chronic pain, you're likely no stranger to restless nights. While we know how vital sleep is for our bodies, getting quality rest can feel nearly impossible when you're in pain. The relationship between pain and sleep is a tricky one, and the lack of sleep can even intensify the pain you're experiencing, creating a vicious cycle. But you’re not alone. Let’s break down why sleep can be so challenging for chronic pain patients and explore tips and resources to help you get much-needed rest.

Managing a chronic illness usually means partnering with multiple healthcare providers. However not every doctor is the right fit for your needs, and recognizing the red flags early on can save you from unnecessary frustration and setbacks. In this post, we’ll explore common red flags to watch out for when choosing or evaluating a doctor, and why they matter so much when you are living with a chronic condition.

Living with chronic illness means that our bodies and minds often need more rest than others might realize. But rest isn't just about sleep—there are many different types of rest, each playing a crucial role in our overall well-being. As someone navigating life with chronic illness, I’ve discovered just how important it is to understand and incorporate these different forms of rest into our daily routines.

As someone living with a chronic illness, you know that the summer heat can make managing your condition even more challenging. Staying hydrated is crucial, but did you know that maintaining your electrolyte balance is just as important? Electrolytes play a key role in keeping our bodies functioning smoothly, especially when dealing with conditions like dysautonomia, lupus, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), or chronic fatigue syndrome. Let's explore why electrolytes are vital, recognize signs of imbalance, and discover some delicious, electrolyte-rich meals and snacks to keep you feeling your best all summer long.

Living with a chronic, complex, or invisible illness is a challenging and often isolating experience. As friends and loved ones, your words have the power to offer comfort, support, and understanding. Here are ten things your chronically ill friend needs to hear—messages that can help bridge the gap between their struggles and your desire to support.