We’ve gotten incredibly good at curing illness—but somewhere along the way, we forgot how to truly recover. In his article “What We’ve Forgotten About Getting Well,” Dr. Jeffrey Benabio reflects on his family’s long winter bout with illness and uncovers a lost art once central to healing: convalescence.
Victorians understood that recovery wasn’t just about eliminating disease—it was a slow, deliberate process of regaining strength, often aided by fresh air, rest, and the support of family. Today, modern medicine measures labs, vitals, and hospital readmissions—but rarely asks the most human question: “Are you truly well?”
From the lessons of long COVID to the wisdom of Florence Nightingale, Dr. Benabio reminds us that between sickness and health lies a vital, often overlooked space: the journey of getting well. Perhaps it’s time to reclaim it.
