Blog
Navigating the Emotional Waves of Herpes: Lessons from Our Community Support Call
This week’s support group call felt like a family reunion. We dove deep into conversations that stirred up some heavy emotions, especially around getting that first outbreak or experiencing one after a long period of dormancy. Herpes can bring up so many thoughts and feelings, and it’s important that we address them head-on, just like we did during the call.
One of the most profound questions raised was, "Do you ever have that moment when you think, 'I have herpes,' and feel down about it? What…
Brain-Based Wellness: Training Your Nervous System to Combat Herpes
Leveraging Neuroscience to Manage Stress and Reduce Outbreaks
Stress is a significant trigger for herpes outbreaks, and managing stress effectively is crucial for reducing the frequency and severity of these outbreaks. One innovative approach to stress management is brain-based wellness, which focuses on training your nervous system to respond more effectively to stress. In this post, we'll explore how brain-based wellness can help you combat herpes by reducing stress and improving overall heal…
Understanding Herpes Triggers and How to Avoid Them
Identifying and Managing Factors That Cause Outbreaks
Understanding what triggers herpes outbreaks is essential for managing the condition effectively. By identifying and avoiding these triggers, you can reduce the frequency and severity of outbreaks, leading to a more comfortable and fulfilling life. In this post, we’ll explore common herpes triggers and provide strategies for managing them.
Stress is one of the most common triggers for herpes outbreaks. When you’re stressed, your body releas…
Why We Reject Our Partners First: A Deep Dive into Self-Worth and Herpes
This week on our support group call, we welcomed new members—yay! For those of you who have been with me for a while, you all know how much I love having new members in our community. What I find so important about our Secret Society is that we are made up of people from all over the world: different ages, religions, cultures, and backgrounds. In many cases, if we were put in a room, we may never have struck up a conversation, but because we’re united by one microscopic virus, we’ve come t…
Navigating Relationships with Herpes: From Dating to Long-Term Love
How to Maintain Healthy and Honest Relationships
Navigating relationships with herpes can be challenging, but it's entirely possible to have fulfilling, loving connections whether you're dating casually or in a long-term relationship. Open communication, honesty, and understanding are key to maintaining healthy relationships while managing herpes. In this post, we'll explore how to approach dating, disclose your status to a partner, and maintain a strong relationship despite the challenges th…
Healing in Community: Why We Speak Out About Herpes
Breaking the Stigma: Why Our Herpes Support Community Matters
As always, I love our support group calls. If you're in the Secret Society Support Group and not jumping on the calls, then you are totally missing out on meeting your community friends and healing along the way. If you're not a member of the Secret Society Support Group, then you need to jump on board! We are a community of people from all over the world who are joined together by one thing: a herpes diagnosis. One of my fav…
I'm More Than my Herpes Diagnosis: Navigating the Mental Health Journey with Herpes: Interview With Monique Darnell
Alexandra Hrabushka, the founder of Life with Herpes, sits down with Monique Darnell, a multi-state licensed professional counselor and author, to discuss her book, "The STD Mental Health Handbook." This conversation delves into the profound impact of herpes on mental health, addressing the complex emotions, trauma, and stigma that often accompany this diagnosis.
The Importance of Mental Health Expertise
Monique's extensive background in mental health counseling, addiction treatment, and tra…
Boost Your Immunity: Natural Supplements for Herpes Management
Enhancing Your Health with Natural Remedies
Managing herpes effectively involves more than just antiviral medications and lifestyle changes; natural supplements can also play a significant role in supporting your immune system and reducing the frequency of outbreaks. In this post, we'll explore some of the most effective natural supplements for herpes management and how they can enhance your overall health.
One of the most well-known supplements for herpes management is lysine. Lysine is an es…
Navigating the Fear of Transmitting Herpes: A Comprehensive Guide
This week on our support group call, we had some great conversations that went quite deep, and of course, there were some giggles and laughs. As you know, I personally love our Monday calls because we have become family. We were all brought here by the heartache of a herpes diagnosis, but through the silver lining of HSV, we've come together from all over the world to support one another and lift each other up. I truly love how we have members from all over the world—some who have had herpes f…
Andrographis Paniculata: A Promising Natural Remedy for Herpes
Andrographis paniculata, also known as Indian Echinacea, kalmegh, or green chiretta, is a powerful medicinal herb used in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine systems like Ayurveda for centuries. Native to India and Sri Lanka, it has garnered global recognition for its potential health benefits, particularly for its immune-supporting properties. The Thailand Health Ministry even approved it as a treatment for respiratory infections in July 2021. However, recent research has focused on its pot…