Daily Health Bites

The world goes quiet when treatment ends. No more appointments. No more countdowns to the next infusion. No more late-night Google searches, medication alarms, or labs to monitor every cell in your body. But for Josh, the silence was not peace—it was uncertainty. My brother, Joshua, was diagnosed in  November 2024 with Stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) . A punch to the gut, but even in the chaos, there was a thread of hope. The cancer had not spread to any major organs—only the  pleura cavity . Even more promising, Josh had a  genetic mutation—EGFR+ , which meant he could be treated with  Tagrisso , a targeted therapy with a strong success rate in shrinking tumors. He took the pill every day. No missed doses. He also braved  four rounds of chemotherapy . Although the original plan was six, his oncologist was stunned at his progress—the tumor shrank from  nearly 7cm to under 2cm . Two rounds were canceled. Everyone called it a miracle. Then came the...

 Let’s be honest—life gets  overwhelming . Between work deadlines, family responsibilities, constant notifications, and the weight of the world, it’s no wonder we feel mentally exhausted. But here’s the good news: you don’t need a complete life overhaul to find peace. This  Wellness Wednesday , I’m sharing  10 simple, science-backed ways to protect your mental health every single day —because real wellness starts with small, consistent habits. Why Daily Mental Health Care Matters Mental health isn’t just something to check on when you’re breaking down. It’s something to  nurture daily , just like brushing your teeth or drinking water. When we consistently care for our emotional well-being, we: Handle stress more effectively Sleep better Experience better relationships Make clearer decisions Build resilience for life’s harder moments 10 Easy Ways to Protect Your Mental Health Daily 1. Start Your Day with Stillness Before checking your phone, take 3–5 minutes to...

Let’s get real:  burnout  isn’t just being tired. It’s that deep, bone-weary exhaustion that makes you dread Mondays, avoid emails, and wonder if you’re losing yourself somewhere between back-to-back meetings and late-night to-do lists. This  Mental Health Awareness Week , I’m sharing something close to my heart. As someone who’s experienced the weight of silent stress, this blog isn’t just a PSA—it’s a passion project. I’m here to break the silence, the stigma, and most importantly,  the burnout cycle . What Is Burnout, Really? Burnout  is more than a buzzword—it’s a serious,  workplace mental health issue . The  World Health Organization  defines it as a  chronic stress response  caused by unmanaged workplace pressure. Signs You May Be Experiencing Burnout: You feel  exhausted , even after sleeping You’re emotionally  detached  from your job or coworkers Small tasks feel  overwhelming You’ve lost passion or motivati...

Explore the hidden world of smiling depression—where people suffer in silence behind a smile. Learn the signs, dangers, and how to seek help. A must-read for Mental Health Awareness Week. We all know someone who always seems to have it together—always smiling, always upbeat. They show up to work, take care of their families, crack jokes, and seem fine. But behind the smile may be a silent struggle. This phenomenon is called  smiling depression , and it’s more common than many realize. What Is Smiling Depression? Smiling depression is not an official clinical diagnosis, but it's a real experience for many. It describes people who appear happy and functioning on the outside but are struggling with  depression internally . They hide their pain with a mask of happiness—often due to fear of judgment, shame, or not wanting to burden others. “ Just because someone carries it well doesn’t mean it isn’t heavy. ” Common Signs of Smiling Depression: Constantly appearing fine or happy whi...

Feeling emotionally flat or numb, even when life seems good? Discover the science behind languishing—why you're not depressed, but not thriving—and how to find joy again. Mental Health Awareness Week spotlight. There’s a quiet, hard-to-explain emotional space where you’re not in crisis—but you’re definitely not okay. You're getting through the day. You're handling responsibilities. But inside, everything feels… flat. You're not sad. You're not happy. You're just numb . This is what mental health experts call languishing —and if you’ve been silently drifting through your days with low motivation, scattered focus, and zero spark, this one’s for you. The Science of “Meh”: What Is Languishing? First coined by sociologist and psychologist Corey Keyes, languishing is the in-between state of mental health. You’re not clinically depressed, but you’re not flourishing either. You feel "blah" for lack of a better word, but we all know the feeling.  It’s that *bl...

Don’t wait for a health scare to take your body seriously. These 5 daily habits can help you catch problems early, ask better questions, and stay in control of your health.  Let’s Have a Real Talk About Your Health Most people wait until something feels really  wrong before they act. By the time they ask the big questions, they’re sitting in an ER, under pressure, scared and confused. This post is written with love—but also with urgency. You don’t have to wait for a crisis to wake up . Your body sends you signals. Your habits matter. And the way you show up for your health today can change the entire trajectory of your future. I want you to feel powerful—not passive—in your healthcare. So here are 5 simple daily health habits  that can help you take charge now. These are based on real stories, medical experience, and personal lessons that I share weekly on my blog. Ready to take your wellness seriously? Let’s go. 1. Don’t Ignore Subtle Symptoms That headache that keeps co...

When my brother was diagnosed with EGFR+ non-small cell lung cancer, asking the right questions and advocating for his care changed his entire treatment plan. Learn why self-advocacy and support teams are critical in today’s complex healthcare system. How a Chest X-Ray Changed Everything It’s been a minute since I last blogged, but life—and more specifically, my brother Josh’s cancer journey—brought me back here. It all started with chest pain that sent him to a cardiologist. After a full cardiac workup, he was given a clean bill of health. But just before wrapping up the visit, the cardiologist said something that changed everything: “Let’s do a chest X-ray, just to be thorough.” That chest X-ray revealed a suspicious spot. A follow-up CT scan confirmed a lung mass with smaller nodules . After a bronchoscopy, the diagnosis was clear: non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with an EGFR mutation. The Diagnosis That Reshaped Our Lives Thankfully, Josh responded exceptionally well to targeted...