The holiday season is the perfect time to shop small and show these small businesses the support they deserve. That’s why we have created this holiday guide full of gift ideas that are all created and founded by people living with chronic conditions. Not only are these products created by Spoonies, they also make great gifts for the spoonie in your life — or even yourself!

Caregiving for a loved one such as a spouse, parent or child can be a very rewarding experience. Providing the most essential care to a loved one is very important work. While that work can be fulfilling, it can also be unpredictable, overwhelming, and isolating. You can’t pour from an empty cup- it’s important for caregivers to pay attention to their own needs as well! Caring for yourself is key to maintaining your own health and well-being. When you feel good, you can take better care of your loved one.

Empathic listening is a combination of having the intention to connect, focusing on clarifying the speaker's needs first and checking the timing before offering your own feelings, suggestions or thoughts. Empathetic listening is needed most when someone needs to be seen and heard, and are not particularly coming to you for a solution.

Maybe you’ve just been diagnosed with POTS or perhaps you suspect you have it and you’re are wondering what kind of items you should have on hand to help with your symptoms. We have got you covered with this “survival kit“! Below are some items and tips for anyone dealing with autonomic issues.

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a condition that affects the body’s circulation and overall flow of blood especially when an individual is standing up or laying down. Although there is no cure for POTS, this condition can be managed through diet, medication, and exercise. The POTS exercise protocol is a training program that focuses on reconditioning your body in order to improve your overall experience with POTS.

There are many aspects of living with a chronic condition that family, friends or coworkers might not understand or even think about. Chronic illness affects pretty much all aspects of life- work, hobbies, social life and relationships to name a few. It’s not something that can be easily compartmentalized, nor should it have to be. Being understanding and compassionate toward your loved one living with a chronic condition means so much.

While there is no formal medical definition of an invisible illness, medical conditions are generally labeled an invisible illness when they are chronic, cause significant pain or fatigue, and are entirely or mostly invisible to the casual observer. Most people with an invisible illness are women, and there are tens of millions of Americans who live with at least one invisible illness. Virtually everyone is guaranteed to know at least one person with an invisible illness, whether they are aware of it or not.

Practicing ways to be an advocate for yourself at the doctor’s can help ease stress so that your appointment can bring you one step closer to an answer. Here are some quick tips to help you feel confident in your ability to self-advocate at your next appointment.

When you’re looking forward to an upcoming trip with friends or family, the last thing you may want to think about is managing your chronic illness. Wouldn’t it be nice to totally check out? Unfortunately the reality is we can’t take a vacation from our chronic conditions. But that does not have to deter you from enjoying your time on a vacation or make you fear traveling. In fact there are things you can do to be well prepared and have an incredible trip no matter what your condition may be. We’ve created a quick guide to get you prepped and ready to travel with confidence!

As temperatures rise and we prepare for hot days at the beach or plan outdoor events, it is important that we don’t overlook the impact of extreme heat on those of us with chronic conditions.

A list of products for chronic illness patients to help you manage symptoms while going about your day and completing daily tasks.

If you have a chronic condition with debilitating pain and fatigue symptoms, you probably have an invisible illness. These conditions interfere with your daily way of life, but can’t be easily recognized just by looking at someone. Below you will find tips to share with loved ones on how to best support you.