BeWell Blog
My Normal - Growing Up with Symptoms and Guilt
Written by: Amanda Phillips As long as I can remember, I was always some form of sick. My stomach would always ache, and I had symptoms no one could ever explain. I thought something was wrong with me, but the...
Coping with Sensory Overload When You Have a Chronic Illness
Written by: Amanda Phillips Living with a chronic illness is already a heavy load to carry, while the sensory overload just makes life overwhelming. Many of us living with chronic conditions—everything from autoimmune diseases and cancer to other invisible illnesses—are...
I May Not Look Sick, But I Sure Do Act It
Written by: Amanda Phillips You see a Ferris Wheel. I see crowds, anxiety, and no fast way to get to a bathroom. There is a lot of talk about invisible illnesses regarding chronic conditions such as Crohn's disease. To the...
Mentally Preparing for an Ostomy
Written by: Amanda Phillips I've always been worried that one day I would need an ostomy. I'm not going to lie, the first one I saw was on Instagram, and I thought it was so gross. How could I ever...
A Guide to Awareness Ribbon Colors
Written by: Amanda Phillips Living with a chronic illness or being thrown into the chaos of a cancer diagnosis, one knows how much life may change. Been there, done that, and though the journey is not easy, some of the...
Grieving the Loss of Myself: Life with Chronic Illness
Written by: Ashley The Pain of Losing Who I Once Was One of my biggest struggles with IBD has been grief. And I’m not grieving the loss of a family member, a friend, or a loved one—I’m grieving the loss...
Chronic Illness and the Medication Methods
Written By: Amanda Phillips Many times, chronic illness means relying on medications to do everything from helping with the symptoms and pain to slowing down the progression of a disease. Yet probably the most salient thing that is often overlooked...
Why Symptom Tracking with a Journal Can Improve Wellness
Written by: Amanda Phillips Living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), or for that matter any chronic illness, is an unwieldy beast. Some days, you feel okay, while others are a mystery as to who is running your body. It is...
Why Autoimmune Warriors Should Give It a Shot: BeWell Tinctures
Written by: Amanda Phillips It feels so often, living with an autoimmune disease, as if your body is just at war with itself. Inflammation, anxiety, nausea, compromised immunity—managing these symptoms so frequently feels like a balancing act. Most of us...
Why a Cozy Blanket Is a Must-Have for Spoonies This Fall
Written by: Amanda Phillips As the days shorten and temperatures cool, the simple comfort of warmth becomes, quite literally, essential to those of us living with chronic illness. Be it for joint pain, exhaustion, or a seven- or eight-hour hospital...
Written by: Amanda Phillips I know I say no a lot. I know that sometimes, when I actually do show up, I seem exhausted or distant. But when you stop inviting me, it hurts more than you could ever know....
A Guide on How to Move with a Chronic Illness
Written by: Amanda Phillips Moving is stressful for anyone; however, it can feel overwhelming when you’re dealing with a chronic illness. From finding new healthcare providers to handling the physical demands of packing and relocating, moving to a new city...