Well+Being

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It’s not just dogs. Cats like to fetch, too.

Cats and dogs both like to play fetch — it’s rooted in their hunting instincts and plays an important role.

By Mikel Delgado and Judith Stella

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No sex drive after menopause? A unique talk therapy may help, study finds.

Sexual concerns — from a lower libido to trouble achieving orgasm or pain during sex — are common among women experiencing perimenopause and menopause

By Rachel Zimmerman

Illustration of a large person with an abstract square head looming over a smaller man scratching his temple. Question marks float round him.

5 ways to recognize and avoid political gaslighting

By Robin Stern and Marc Brackett

Apple unveils AirPods that can work as hearing aids

By Tatum Hunter and Teddy Amenabar

A photo illustration that shows a loaf of sliced bread with a red flag coming out of one slice.

I’m a gastroenterologist. Here’s the surprising truth about gluten.

By Trisha Pasricha, MD

Babesiosis, another disease spread by ticks, is on the rise

By Kevin Loria

How I took care of my partner with dementia and saved myself

People told me to put Alex in an assisted living facility. Here’s why I didn’t.

By Sue Dickman

Paralympians face higher injury rate, harder recoveries than Olympians

Paralympians are at greater risk of injury than Olympic athletes due to muscle overuse and sometimes their disabilities themselves, but have less specialized care.

By Amanda Morris

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

By Washington Post staff

An illustration of a young girl holding a stack of books, looking up at an adult holding an apple.

Probiotics, joy and gold medals: The week in Well+Being

It’s been a fun week watching the 2024 Paris Paralympics and reading some fantastic stories about the athletes and the sports they play.

By Tara Parker-Pope

NewsletterTHURSDAYS

Well+Being: Tips and guidance on food, fitness and mental health

latest from Well+Being

For caregivers, a friend who ‘gets it’ can be a lifeline

Medical Mysteries: Her runny nose signaled something more serious

Only 61 percent of teens have been fully vaccinated against HPV

Paralympics celebrate disability, but in Paris, access has been hit-or-miss

Do flies vomit on our food and make us sick?

Parkinson’s may begin in the gut, study says, adding to growing evidence

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GUIDES

How to protect yourself from mosquito bites

Health experts say the “gold standard” against bug bites is DEET, a chemical repellent developed almost 80 years ago to help the U.S. Army keep mosquitoes away.

By Teddy Amenabar and Lindsey Bever

What to know about 6 popular home tests for allergies, cancer and more

By Andrea Atkins

Ticks love hot weather, too. How to avoid these common tick diseases.

By Marlene Cimons

Confused by new mammogram guidelines? Here’s what to know.

By Lindsey Bever

Americans are sleeping more than ever. See how you compare.

By Caitlin Gilbert and Luis Melgar

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.

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 Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center 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.

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.