Handelman

MEMORANDUM ***

Stanley Handelman appeals the district court’s order affirming the Commissioner’s denial of his disability insurance benefits application. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 , and we affirm.

We review de novo the district court’s order affirming the ALJ’s denial of benefits. Morgan v. Comm’r of the Soc. Sec. Admin., 169 F.3d 595, 599 (9th Cir.1999). We will uphold the ALJ’s decision if it is supported by substantial evidence in the record as a whole and free from legal error. Id. Where evidence exists to support more than one rational interpretation, we must defer to the ALJ’s decision. Allen v. Heckler, 749 F.2d 577, 579 (9th Cir.1984).

Substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s finding that Handelman was not severely impaired. A severe impairment is one that “significantly limits your physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520 (c). Handelman testified that he was not physically impaired. He can control his headaches *744 ■within thirty minutes of taking his medicine. During the relevant time period, Handelman was able to shop, write a book, visit with family and acquaintances, read, walk, bicycle, perform at a benefit,…