Let’s start with a simple truth: most people already know what’s “healthy.” We know we should move more. Eat more plants. Sleep more. Stress less. Drink more water. The advice isn’t new, and it’s definitely not secret. So, if information was enough, we’d all be thriving. But, we’re not. That’s because behavior isn’t driven by information—it's driven by emotion, identity, experience, and context. And the tool…

It begins with a flutter. A quiet, almost imperceptible movement—a shift in wind, a gentle ripple in the air. In chaos theory, this is the butterfly effect: the idea that small, localized changes in a complex system can have wide-reaching, even global consequences. It’s a poetic theory, one that suggests that the smallest gesture—a wingbeat—could, in the right conditions, lead to something…

In today’s fast-paced world, many of us are focused on physical health—regular exercise, eating nutritious foods, and maintaining a healthy weight. However, there’s a crucial aspect of our wellbeing that often gets overlooked: mental health. Just as we need to cleanse and detox our bodies to maintain physical health, our minds also need regular detoxing to achieve holistic health and wellness. In this post, we’ll explore why detoxing the mind is just as essential as taking care of your body, and how integrating mental wellness…

In the fast-paced world of healthcare, physicians are often expected to work long hours under intense pressure, making decisions that directly impact the lives of their patients. With such demands, it’s no surprise that physician burnout has become a significant issue in the medical field. According to…

In a world that often celebrates the rational, the strategic, and the logical, sensitivity is sometimes seen as a vulnerability. But when it comes to design, sensitivity isn't a weakness—it's a superpower. Designers, whether working in healthcare, technology, architecture, or any other field, are tasked with solving problems for real people. Understanding emotions, needs, and unspoken pain points allows designers to…

In healthcare, the importance of high-quality treatment, skilled practitioners, and cutting-edge technology is well understood. But what if I told you that one of the most significant challenges in public health today doesn’t come from the medical field itself, but from design—or more accurately, poor design? From crowded waiting rooms to confusing health apps, to medical devices that frustrate rather than help, poor design can have a serious impact on health outcomes. And it’s not just…

Even though the design process often comes packaged in tidy diagrams and step-by-step frameworks, in practice, it’s rarely that straightforward. As someone who has navigated many design cycles—from community-led public health initiatives to user experience workshops and system redesigns—I’ve learned that the process is more art than science. Here are five hard truths I’ve come to accept about design—and why embracing them can actually make you a better designer, collaborator, and change-maker…

Blue Zones are regions of the world where people enjoy longer, healthier lives, marked by high rates of chronic disease prevention, mental well-being, and a strong sense of community. These regions—Okinawa (Japan), Sardinia (Italy), Nicoya (Costa Rica), Ikaria (Greece), and Loma Linda (California)—provide powerful insights into the lifestyle factors that contribute to longevity. Integrating these principles into healthcare, particularly through design thinking and human-centered design (HCD), offers a pathway to…

In a world where innovation and adaptability are crucial, designers are stepping into leadership roles like never before. But what makes designers such natural leaders? Problem-solving is at the heart of design. Designers are trained to look at complex issues from multiple perspectives, balancing functionality, aesthetics, and user needs. This ability to think critically and creatively makes them uniquely equipped to lead teams, shape vision, and inspire change. Here’s why designers are natural-born leaders…

Biophilic design is one of the gateways to wellness and healing. Why? Because our surroundings impact us more than we realize, from our physical health to our mood to our productivity to our creativity. Therefore, when we think about creating environments for optimal health…

At first glance, medicine and design might seem like two entirely different worlds. One deals with life-and-death decisions, the other with pixels, experiences, and systems. But the more time I’ve spent moving between these two spaces, the more I’ve come to believe that practicing medicine can make you a profoundly better designer. Why? Because both are, at their core, about…

We have all been there — waiting in long security lines, run-walking to the gate to make it on time, worrying about whether a delayed flight will prevent us from making a connection. Traveling through airports can be one of the most stressful, anxiety-provoking experiences. But, what if design could change that? During a recent trip with Delta Air Lines…

Dignity means “the state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect.” So, when we talk about designing for dignity, shouldn’t we be talking about creating products, services, experiences, and solutions that spark joy and social impact…

In a world where technology, products, and services are deeply embedded in nearly every aspect of our lives, design holds an immense power to shape how we experience the world—and ultimately, how we live. From the apps we use on our smartphones to the physical environments we work in, design influences not just functionality, but also our emotional, mental, and physical wellbeing. But in this age of rapid innovation and convenience, one fundamental question arises…

When you think about wellbeing design, what comes to mind? Maybe you think of self-care practices like meditation, mindfulness, and yoga. Or environments that focus on relaxation like spas and wellness centers. I want to challenge us to think outside of the traditional expectations of wellbeing design and invite it into other areas of our lives. Wellbeing design has the ability to transform, heal, and connects us, and here are five reasons why we should be using it more in the home and beyond…