With Dr. Jonathan Fellows, Board Certified Neurology Specialist   No one could have anticipated in March of 2020 the staggering toll COVID-19 would have on the world as millions lost their lives and others continue to suffer long-term health consequences. But now, more than three years later, the public health emergency has expired in the U.S. Even though the W.H.O. still classifies COVID as an ongoing global health threat, there is cause for optimism as we are at long last reaching a point where increased levels of immunity may soon lead to a reduction in virus-related deaths.   But ..read more

with Lisa Lapides Sawicki, Certified Life Coach   What do you think of when you hear of a “conflict” between two people? Do you automatically roll your eyes or feel your stomach clench with anxiety? Or, is your first impulse to try and “smooth things over” and diffuse the conflict before things escalate any further? While that might give the parties a chance to cool off, it doesn’t resolve the underlying issue. Having a disagreement with someone doesn’t have to lead to a conflict and on occasion, a conversation about a difference of opinion can prove beneficial. Sometimes conflicts actual ..read more

With Christina Beck, Director of Content for Supportiv   What do you do when you’re tossing and turning in the middle of the night, panicking about a situation or suddenly overcome with anxiety? Your first thought might be to reach for the phone to call a family member or friend… only it’s three o’clock in the morning and you don’t want to wake them or cause them to worry. But as you sit there alone, feeling more anxious and desperate and counting the hours till dawn, you’re finding it harder and harder to calm yourself. Instead, what if we could contact an anonymous stranger who actually ..read more

With Sinziana Luchian, Director of Healthcare Initiatives at the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce    One of the biggest challenges employers have faced since the early days of the pandemic is reassuring employees that their workplace is not only safe but that changes have been implemented to ensure a healthy work environment. But what is meant by the term “healthy work environment?” These days in addition to making sure that employees feel secure and valued in their jobs, many employers are also taking steps to encourage the ongoing health and well-being of their workforce. A wid ..read more

With Beth Thayer, Director of Henry Ford Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention   When you are diagnosed with a chronic illness such as Type 2 Diabetes, some lifestyle changes may be in order. But the good news is that by adopting healthy habits and with careful blood sugar monitoring, you will not only feel better but you could avoid the potential for long-term complications. One of the biggest complications associated with diabetes is the increased risk of cardiovascular disease which could result in heart attacks, stroke, or even sudden death. Obesity is a contributing fact ..read more

With Meryl Comer, Award Winning Journalist and TV Producer   When you’re a caregiver for an adult with a cognitive disability such as Alzheimer’s or dementia, there could be numerous challenges involved in taking that individual out in public. Simple errands such as going to the grocery store or dining out at restaurants can prove to be an exhausting endeavor, filled with unpredictable behaviors. Parents of autistic children often experience the same thing. When you’re the parent of a child with autism, a big part of their recommended treatment plan is establishing a comforting daily rout ..read more

With Jessie Garrison from GreenPath Financial Wellness   One of the most challenging situations a person can experience is financial hardship. Few things keep us up at night more than the fear of not being able to pay our bills. A sudden change in financial circumstances could jeopardize our ability to pay our mortgage, buy groceries, or even put gas in the car. A financial crisis may result from a variety of reasons such as unexpected medical bills, the sudden loss of a job, a death in the family, or a divorce. Any one of these events might abruptly lead to financial insecurity. Even the ..read more

With Gayle Schindler, Chef, Author, and Food Blogger   With the skyrocketing cost of grocery bills, it’s more important than ever before to shop wisely and avoid food waste. Instead of eating out, ordering in, or a last-minute trip to the grocery store, you can save time and money by having everything you need on hand to whip up delicious meals. While strategies such as cutting coupons and buying sale items in bulk help reduce food costs, you can save even more money with careful planning. Using items you already have on hand in your pantry, you can prepare multiple dishes with common ing ..read more

With Michael Bertaut, Health Care Economist and Straight Talk blog author with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana.   We’re fortunate to live at a time when we have so many different health insurance plans available, but why does choosing a health insurance plan have to be so complicated? Sadly, there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all health insurance plan. The most cost-effective plan for one person could lead to significantly higher out-of-pocket costs for someone else, based on different medical issues or ongoing care needs. Sometimes even when you’ve had the same insurance co ..read more

With Michael Bertaut, Health Care Economist and Straight Talk blog author with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana.   We’re fortunate to live at a time when we have so many different health insurance plans available, but why does choosing a health insurance plan have to be so complicated? Sadly, there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all health insurance plan. The most cost-effective plan for one person could lead to significantly higher out-of-pocket costs for someone else, based on different medical issues or ongoing care needs. Sometimes even when you’ve had the same insurance co ..read more