A Wellness Journey – a Column by Lisa Marie Basile

January 8, 2020January 3, 2020

Reflecting on My Past Year with Ankylosing Spondylitis

A Wellness Journey - a Column by Lisa Marie Basile, Columns

The past year has been good for me in terms of my ankylosing spondylitis. Just saying that out loud makes me wonder if I’m jinxing it. But the fact ... Read more

October 2, 2019September 27, 2019

Anger Is a Natural Response to Chronic Illness

A Wellness Journey - a Column by Lisa Marie Basile, Columns

I’ve kept this column positive for a while now, not only for you, my readers, but also for myself. If I keep my head up and find the wisdom ... Read more

September 25, 2019September 30, 2019

Canceling on Friends: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

A Wellness Journey - a Column by Lisa Marie Basile, Columns

It’s easy to say that if people can’t understand us, we should just forget ’em. Unfortunately, people like — and to some extent need — their friends and family. ... Read more

July 17, 2019July 16, 2019

I Hiked Too Hard and Pushed Myself Too Far — and That’s OK

A Wellness Journey - a Column by Lisa Marie Basile, Columns

The other day, my friends, my boyfriend, and I traveled from New York City, where I live, to Minnewaska State Park Preserve in New York State. And I’m glad ... Read more

July 3, 2019June 28, 2019

On Getting Defensive About Living with a Chronic Disease

A Wellness Journey - a Column by Lisa Marie Basile, Columns

Some people just don’t get it. Maybe others try, but the majority don’t. If you don’t live with a chronic or degenerative disease, it can be hard to wrap ... Read more

June 26, 2019June 21, 2019

3 Things I’ve Learned About Traveling with Ankylosing Spondylitis

A Wellness Journey - a Column by Lisa Marie Basile, Columns

Travel is particularly brutal when I’m in a flare-up. When I’m feeling OK, it’s still hard but more manageable. With a partner whose family lives in Brazil and the ... Read more

June 19, 2019June 17, 2019

When Pain Becomes Your Constant Friend

A Wellness Journey - a Column by Lisa Marie Basile, Columns

I realize that the title of this column is hyperbolic, but it contains an element of truth. I often think about how we get to know our daily pain ... Read more

June 12, 2019June 18, 2019

Mind Over Matter: Can Optimism Change Our Disease?

A Wellness Journey - a Column by Lisa Marie Basile, Columns

As a poet myself, it warms my heart to have learned that Simon Armitage, the U.K.’s new poet laureate, has ankylosing spondylitis (AS). I know of few writers who ... Read more

May 1, 2019April 29, 2019

Three Morning Rituals for Ankylosing Spondylitis Support

A Wellness Journey - a Column by Lisa Marie Basile, Columns

I am a big fan of ritualized living. I even wrote a book about it, “Light Magic for Dark Times,” which includes a chapter on body and identity, largely ... Read more