What is ‘touch starvation’? How physical touch affects your health + 3 ways to feel better
“Physical touch meets an essential human need,” says Dr. Jeanne James, pediatrician and chief medical officer for BlueCare Tennessee.
Ashley Brantley
Stories by this contributor
Ashley Brantley
Why children need routines + 4 tips for getting your kids into a good routine
Dr. Deborah Gatlin says getting kids into a routine doesn’t have to be difficult — if you work on building good habits over time.
Death anxiety 101: Why don’t we talk about death? Plus 4 ways to live a death-positive life
Sherry Campbell, founder of Welcome Home of Chattanooga, a sanctuary for people facing critical illness, says fear of death is natural, but denial, anxiety and avoidance are not.
Tennessee tomato guide: When are tomatoes in season? (Plus everything else you need to know)
Steve Longmire, owner of Tennessee Homegrown Tomatoes in Grainger County, says when tomatoes are at their peak, “Eat them like an apple!”
Is peer pressure always negative? The science of peer pressure + 5 tips to overcome it
Dr. Deborah Gatlin, medical director and child psychiatrist at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, explains peer pressure, peer influence and peer presence.
Blinking 101: Why we blink, how we blink + 5 fun facts about blinking
Blinking has many functions for babies and adults alike. Here’s everything you need to know about blinking and your health.
What is collective trauma? 5 steps to understanding your feelings, getting help & taking action
Natasha D. Bonner, behavioral health expert for BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, explains that collective trauma is any reaction people have to a traumatic event that affects our whole society.
What is long COVID? 7 things we know about post-COVID
Dr. Andrea Willis, chief medical officer for BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, says 10-30% of COVID patients may experience long COVID.
Antioxidants 101: What are antioxidants? The benefits + how to get more in your diet
Leslie Cornett, registered dietitian-nutritionist at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, explains that by reducing the number of free radicals in your body, antioxidants help decrease your risk of disease.
What is aphasia? Understanding the communication challenges + 6 tips to help
Dr. Catherine Payne, a BlueCross medical director, explains that aphasia is a condition that impairs a person’s ability to express themselves, understand language or both.