The Checkup Archive: Life's Big Questions

Life's Big Questions: What Should My Stool Look Like?

In ayurveda, the ancient Indian medical system, one seeks to balance one's doshas, or basic life energies, to achieve physical and psychological health. A good way to determine whether those doshas -- known as vata, pitta and kapha -- are out of balance is to look carefully at what you...

Healthy vs. Healthful

A few months ago, a reader wrote to commend me for what she called my correct use of the term "healthful." Yet just last week, a different reader suggested that my use of that word where others would simply write "healthy" was trendy and, frankly, a bit much. I'm always...

How Can I Stay Sane Through the Holidays?

The end-of-year holidays are supposed to be a time to reflect on our lives' bounty and joy and to savor the company of loved ones and friends. So, what went wrong? For too many of us, the holidays have become an ordeal to be soldiered through, full of the stresses...

How Can I Handle My Grief During the Holidays?

It's easy to feel isolated during the holiday season when you've lost a loved one. Everyone else seems so happy when you feel so sad. "It's a tough situation for people" says Dale G. Larson, professor of counseling psychology at Santa Clara University in California. "The key is to acknowledge...

Should I Get A Flu Shot?

Yes. if you're among the nearly 90 percent of the public that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) deems eligible for vaccination against influenza, there are lots of reasons to get the shot, and precious few for avoiding it. Yes, we know: Last year's flu shot was...

Can I Learn to Show Kindness?

Two recent incidents reported in The Post serve as welcome reminders that, despite the scary economy, the growing ugliness of the presidential campaign and all the worries that are built into our lives these days, some people still manage to show kindness to others. The heartbreaking case of two little...

Older Entries in This Category »

Life's Big Questions: How to Share and Share Alike in Love, Jennifer LaRue Huget , October 1, 2008

Life's Big Questions: How Can I Get Over My End-of-Summer Funk?, Jennifer LaRue Huget , September 24, 2008

LIfe's Big Questions: How Can I Face This Financial Stress?, Jennifer LaRue Huget , September 17, 2008

Life's Big Questions: How Will I Make it Through My Kid's Senior Year?, Jennifer LaRue Huget , September 10, 2008

Life's Big Questions: How Do I Choose a Work Partner?, Jennifer LaRue Huget , September 3, 2008