The Most Expensive Phrase in Many Families Is 'I'm Fine'
We say it to protect each other. Over years, it quietly teaches everyone that real feelings are an inconvenience.
Emily Chen
@emilychenPhysiotherapist in Boston. Writing about movement, sleep and living well without the fads.
11 articles451 clapsJoined May 19
Articles
Sleep Is a Skill: Six Habits I Give Every Patient
Recovery from almost anything goes better with good sleep. These simple, unglamorous habits are where I start with patients.
Your Sunday Evening Dread Is Trying to Tell You Something
That heavy feeling as the weekend ends is not just about work. Listening to it carefully can show you what actually needs to change.
A Physio's Guide to Desk Neck (and Five Moves That Help)
Stiff, aching necks are among the most common complaints I see. Small changes to your setup and routine often help a lot.
Your Gut Microbiome Is Not a Garden You Can Simply Weed
Trillions of microbes live in your gut. What the research actually says about feeding them, and why quick fixes rarely deliver.
Sleep Debt Is Real, but You Can't Fully Repay It on Sunday
Weekend lie-ins help a little, but research suggests they don't erase the effects of short weeknight sleep. Here is what does help.
The Stranger Who Held an Umbrella Over Me on Dame Street
On a two-minute kindness in a Dublin downpour, and why the smallest gestures from strangers are the ones we carry for years.
What Injury Recovery Taught Me About Patience
Years of watching patients heal have changed how I think about progress, setbacks and the quiet value of showing up.
What Actually Happens Inside Your Body During a Fever
A fever is not the infection itself but your body's deliberate response. A biologist's guide to the thermostat, the shivers and when to seek help.
You Don't Need 10,000 Steps. You Need to Stop Sitting So Long
Step counts get all the attention, but for many desk workers, long unbroken sitting is the bigger problem to solve.
