Well+Being

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Fruit and vegetable ‘prescriptions’ may lead to better heart health

“Produce prescriptions” are part of a growing effort in health care to provide food as medicine to potentially prevent chronic health conditions.

By Teddy Amenabar

(Craig Hudson/For the Washington Post)

Airlines tried to stop fake service animals. It kept blind people off flights.

New Department of Transportation rules meant to keep fake service animals off planes have made it more difficult for blind people to fly with real guide dogs.

By Amanda Morris

A photo illustration of a lotus pod, with the holes flashing red.

Why do tiny holes freak me out?

By Trisha Pasricha, MD

An illustration of a woman resting on bars of music floating in the sky.

Music can serve as therapy. Here’s how it can help reduce anxiety.

By Raymond Leone

An illustration of a mother and child figure walking into a dark forest made of colorful microbes as plants.

A mother’s stress may change the makeup of her child’s microbiome

By Rachel Zimmerman

Marketers overstate fish oil claims for heart health, study shows

By Lindsey Bever

More young women are getting breast cancer. They want answers.

Breast cancer is increasing in young women. But there’s little advice for them regarding early detection.

By Amanda Morris, Lindsey Bever and Sabrina Malhi

Gardening changed how I see myself as a disabled woman

For Rosemary McDonnell-Horita, a 29-year old with multiple disabilities, gardening gave her an opportunity to be a caregiver rather than a care-receiver.

By Amanda Morris and Sonaksha

An illustration of an urban garden, with yellow and red flowers, and city buildings in the background.

Gardening, fingernails and joy snacks: The week in Well+Being

Rosemary McDonnell-Horita, a 29-year-old disabled woman, writes about finding empowerment and self-acceptance in gardening.

By Tara Parker-Pope

Have a question for a doctor? The Washington Post can help.

By Washington Post Staff

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Heat and your well-being

GUIDES

Plantar fasciitis is painful. Some people are treating it the wrong way.

Flip-flop season is here, and so is your risk for plantar fasciitis. Here’s what causes it, how to prevent it, and how to treat the foot pain.

By Teddy Amenabar

More people are living with dementia. What are the signs and risk factors?

By Marlene Cimons

Who can donate blood? What to know about FDA’s new guidelines

By Teddy Amenabar, Fenit Nirappil and Laurie McGinley

Why daylight saving time is worse for your body than standard time

By Aaron Steckelberg and Lindsey Bever

11 tips to plan your health care after job loss

By Lindsey Bever

meet the WELL+BEING TEAM

Tara Parker-Pope is a longtime editor and science writer who knows that well-being is best achieved through the small health decisions we make each day.

Anjuman Ali is an editor with a passion for health journalism who believes in empowering people with science-based information to care for their health.

Emily Codik is an editor focused on elevating expert voices through a variety of formats, including visual journalism and social media.

Anahad O’Connor is a veteran health reporter who writes about the science of food and the various biological and cultural forces that influence how we eat.

Gretchen Reynolds has covered exercise science for more than two decades, including the perils of inactivity and the benefits of moving just a little more every day.

Richard Sima is a neuroscientist turned science journalist committed to revealing the wonder and mystery of the brain — and why it matters.

Kelyn Soong is an avid runner who writes about exercise culture and the lessons everyday athletes can learn from sports stars and fitness experts.

Amanda Morris is a science reporter and hard of hearing woman whose reporting on people with disabilities and chronic illnesses challenges long-held stigmas and sheds light on health disparities.

Lindsey Bever writes with empathy and expertise on a variety of personal health topics, including chronic illness, mental health and navigating the medical system.

Teddy Amenabar explores the science and the myths behind the health information people are seeing, searching and talking about online.

Caitlin Gilbert is a data reporter and former neuroscientist who uses analyses, statistics and visualizations to better understand and explain how we live.

Trisha S. Pasricha writes the Ask a Doctor column. She is a physician at Massachusetts General Hospital and an instructor in medicine at Harvard Medical School.

Shirlene Obuobi is a second-year cardiology fellow at the University of Chicago medical center. Her comics about navigating health care appear on her Instagram @ShirlywhirlMD.

Chelsea Conrad is a designer, illustrator and art director whose vibrant visuals add explanation, depth and, sometimes, humor to well-being stories.

Garland Potts is a news designer focused on explaining health and well-being topics with engaging visual storytelling.

Alexa Juliana Ard is a video journalist who pairs her passion for fitness and healthy living with her expertise in photography and videography.

Maya Valentine is a photo assignment editor who produces visually rich stories that explore nutrition, fitness and other health topics.

Aaron Steckelberg uses his deep knowledge of graphics and visual storytelling to create health and science journalism that informs and delights.