Well+Being - The Washington Post

In Harlem, senior swimmers embrace their ‘fountain of youth’

The Harlem Honeys and Bears want people to know who they are — "a bunch of joyful Black elders who thrive in the water.”

By Laure Andrillon

(The Washington Post/Chelsea Conrad/The Washington Post; iStock)

Advice

Ask a Doctor: How do I know the state of my immune system?

Catching a few infections every year is perfectly normal. Here’s when to ask your physician for further testing of your immune system.

By Trisha Pasricha, MD, MPH

Being your own patient advocate is doable. Here’s what to consider.

By Ashley Abramson

Exercise can cut women’s chances of getting Parkinson’s by 25 percent

By Linda Searing

Military members half as likely as civilians to receive HPV vaccine

By Erin Blakemore

Americans are bad at resting. Here’s how to reclaim your free time.

By Eda Uzunlar

Weed, happiness and comfort foods: The week in Well+Being

We’ve got some useful advice to learn more about how smoking, vaping and eating cannabis affects your health, brain and daily life.

By Tara Parker-Pope

What to know about the Powassan virus disease, a tick-borne illness

Powassan virus disease, which tends to be much more serious than Lyme disease, is on the rise.

By Caroline Anders

Advice

How faith can get in the way of seeking mental health care

In some faith communities, people hesitate to get professional mental health care. Here are some ways to make the process of seeking care easier.

By Rania Awaad, MD and Taimur Kouser

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

By Washington Post Staff

latest from Well+Being

Weed, happiness and comfort foods: The week in Well+Being

The CDC wants people to stop eating raw cookie dough. But it’s so tasty.

A short meditation to spark joy

Limiting teens’ social media feels impossible. But we have to try.

What is long covid? For the first time, a new study defines it.

‘Am I using too much weed?’ Ask yourself these questions.

Multivitamins may help slow memory loss in older adults, study shows

Medical use of ketamine is surging. So are illicit forms of the drug.

DON’T MISS

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

The Food and Drug Administration finalized guidelines for blood donations that do away with some long-standing disqualifications for gay and bisexual men.

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

The best health books experts read in 2022

By Aviva Loeb

What’s the difference between RSV, the flu and covid-19?

By Teddy Amenabar

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.

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.