How Healthcare Works, LLC

by Jeanette R. Harrison, MPH This is my fifth Christmas in Idaho, and once again, I will be spending it alone with my dog. Over the years, my holiday experiences here have varied. One year, I spent most of the season with friends. During my first Christmas, however, I sat alone in my apartment, feeling blamed for how others treated me. It didn’t seem to matter that I was going through an incredibly stressful time in my life. I was literally starving that year, barely able to afford food.  The next holiday season was the best I’ve had in Idaho. I spent most of it with a close friend and attended several holiday gatherings. Still, I spent Christmas day alone.  Photo by Jeanette R. Harrison However, the following year, Christmas took a darker turn. That weekend, I was in a car accident when another driver ran a red light and hit another car, causing a chain reaction. I wasn’t included in many holiday festivities that year, and the accident felt like a sour cherry on top of an al...

When people face financial difficulties, one of the most common responses they hear is, “Why don’t you just go on assistance?” It’s often said without malice, but it reflects a misunderstanding of what it means to truly help someone. At How Healthcare Works, LLC , we believe in building people up—not dismissing their struggles.   Let’s unpack why telling someone to rely solely on assistance is problematic, and how our lifestyle coaching program offers a more empowering alternative.  Photo by Jeanette R. Harrison, MPH  The Problem with “Just Go on Assistance” 1. It Dismisses Individual Agency  People facing challenges often want solutions that allow them to regain control of their lives. Telling someone to “go on assistance” oversimplifies their situation and implies that their only option is dependence on a system, rather than exploring their strengths and potential.   2. It Ignores the Bigger Picture Financial struggles often stem from systemic issues—such...

The holiday season is in full swing, and while it’s a time of joy and togetherness, it can also bring a whirlwind of stress. Between shopping lists, family gatherings, travel plans, and work deadlines, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. If you’ve been noticing the pressure building up, you’re not alone. The good news? You can take charge of holiday stress before it takes over you.  Photo by Jeanette R. Harrison, MPH Start Small with My Free Guide If you’re looking for quick, actionable tips to help ease the load, download our  free guide: 10 Strategies to Beat Holiday Burnout . It’s packed with practical ideas to help you stay grounded, prioritize your time, and truly enjoy the season. Download the Guide Here Dive Deeper with My Course For those who need a more in-depth approach, our  course, Dealing with Holiday Burnout , is designed to help you build long-term strategies for navigating the challenges of the holiday season and beyond. The course includes actionable les...

I’ve been fighting my entire life. I fought to survive growing up in foster care until I was adopted at age eight. I fought through years of abuse, homelessness, and the stigma of starting over at nearly 50 years old during a pandemic. I’ve fought for every degree I earned, every opportunity I’ve had, and every ounce of stability in my life. But lately, I feel like I’m fighting for crumbs—just the bare minimum to get by.  It’s like being a Christian in ancient Rome, thrown into the Colosseum to fight lions while everyone looks on. Except my lions are instability, disadvantage, and uncertainty. And all too often I'm left wondering: How am I going to get through this today on my own? Photo by Jeanette R. Harrison, MPH Struggle Isn’t the Same as Growth I’ve heard it all before: “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” “You’ve got to fight for what you want,” and “The struggle builds character.” And while those sayings may have some truth, they don’t tell the whole story. I’m no...

The housing affordability crisis in Boise and Ada County, Idaho, has hit renters particularly hard. While the area was once known for its affordable living and thriving communities, renters are now finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet as the gap between the rate of rent increases and wages grows. Rent prices have increased over 25% while wages remain stagnant or at a slow 3% rate. Wages are not even keeping pace with inflation.  Rents on the Rise: A Crisis for Boise Renters I moved to Ada County in 2020, right at the height of the pandemic. The next year, I saw a 25-30% increase in my rent. Although my rent has increased only moderately in the past two years, wages have not kept pace with that increase.  For many renters, these costs now consume more than 50%—and sometimes as much as 60%—of their monthly household incomes. In fact, mortgage affordability is often calculated at 60% of gross income. This far exceeds the commonly recommended affordability measure...

  Photo by Jeanette R. Harrison, MPH The holidays are often seen as a time for togetherness and support—a season where family steps in to lift one another up, especially when life feels heavy. But what happens when reaching out for help is met with judgment instead of compassion? This holiday season, I reached out to family, hoping for a little support during a challenging time. What I got instead were controlling remarks, unsolicited advice, and excuses about why they couldn’t or wouldn’t help. What stung the most wasn’t just their refusal to help, but the way they framed it. “You should focus on helping yourself before trying to help others,” they said, as if my life’s purpose and the way I navigate challenges are somehow invalid. Ironically, these same family members—who’ve never offered meaningful help in the past—seemed to think they had the right to critique my choices, despite having their own share of questionable decisions. And then there were my nieces, who, for reason...

by Jeanette R. Harrison, MPH I have shared before that I am recovering from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder because of multiple traumas I have experienced throughout my life. There has hardly been a year where I didn't experience some sort of trauma. In the past five years, I had to move during a pandemic with nothing, was involved in a car accident, experienced job loss, and also worried repeatedly about how to pay my bills as a result. Not to mention my reason for moving to Idaho was my "breakup" from my 12-year-long abusive relationship. Just to move here I had to walk away from everything. Then, once here, I had next to no support system, and I felt isolated, alienated, and alone.  To some, they may think this stress is motivating or is just a normal part of life. For someone like me with PTSD, it can feel suffocating. I used to thrive under pressure, and I still can. However, when the pressure and stress become too much, it shuts me down. I have to meditate to get bac...