Spring cleaning for the mind, body and spirit
UNION, Mo. – Spring can be a great time to hit reset in multiple facets of life. Many think about cleaning up a messy space in their home or refreshing their natural spaces. Spring cleaning isn’t just for your home but also can be for your mind, body and spirit. • Create a list of short- and long-term goals and prioritize them.
Colorful flowers, sweet treats and relationship tips for Valentine’s Day
There’s more to Valentine’s Day than roses and chocolate. Bouquets and floral arrangements are often used to say simply “I love you” or “thank you,” but, as University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein explains, people have used floriography, the language of flowers, to express a variety of sentiments and messages.
Gardening boosts your immune system
We tend to think about our immune system more during the cooler months, as they coincide with cold and flu season. Research shows that gardening can naturally boost the immune system, making it a great way to stay healthy year-round. Three ways gardening helps our bodies fight off illness and infection are: 1. Increased movement
MU Extension works to fight startling statistics on mental health in Missouri
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mental Health Awareness Month, observed in May, is a good time to look at the startling statistics on suicide and mental health challenges in rural Missouri, says Karen Funkenbusch, University of Missouri health and safety specialist.Three statistics reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are especially troubling, she says.
Reduce holiday stress with these tips
COLUMBIA, Mo. – It’s the most wonderful time of the year, or so they say. Picture-perfect families with perfectly coiffed hair and pearly white smiles appear in matching holiday attire in countless holiday television commercials. Perfectly wrapped gifts wait under perfectly decorated trees. How merry and bright! And then there’s the rest of us, says Jeremiah Terrell, a University of Missouri Extension human development and family…
Suicide prevention in the workplace
In the United States alone, suicide accounts for nearly 40,000 lost lives per year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. That's an average of one suicide every 13 minutes. The truth is that anyone can be at risk. Sometimes you NEED help. Sometimes you ARE the help.
Do spring safety check on and off the farm
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Planting season brings increased risk of physical injury and mental stress among farmworkers and families, says University of Missouri Extension safety and health specialist Karen Funkenbusch. Before heading to the fields, review basic safety lessons with workers and family members, she says. Rural roadway safety
Spring activities bring stress
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The busy time of the year is upon us – prom, graduation, spring sports and end-of-school banquets. This flurry of activities can bring stress, especially in rural communities, where these activities may coincide with spring planting, says Jeremiah Terrell, a University of Missouri Extension human development specialist.Now is the time to set priorities and make a plan for the entire family, Terrell says. Good time…
Positive Relationship Development Impacts Your Neighborhood and Community Says Specialist
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The relationships we have with others impact different aspects of our lives, according to Amber Allen, a human development specialist with University of Missouri Extension. We have relationships with our children, significant others, friends, coworkers, neighbors, and anyone we interact with daily. Those relationships impact our families, neighborhoods, communities, coworkers, schools, churches, organizations, and…
A Handwritten Note to a Neighbor Can Be a Game Changer
A handwritten note can have a powerful impact, offering a personal touch that builds connections and encourages others, especially in times of isolation.
Free hotline offers counseling, referrals for Missourians in crisis
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missourians in crisis can take advantage of a free 24-hour hotline for stress counseling as well as information and referrals on legal, financial, crisis/disaster and personal health topics. Individuals can seek help by phone or live online chat.
The gift of time
“The best thing parents can spend on their children is time, not money.” — Anonymous
Balancing the parent role with relationship needs
It’s challenging for new parents to manage their new parenting role and their couple relationship. The joy of having a baby leads to a transition for couples that can strain even the best relationships.
Happy relationships good for health
Why do healthy relationships matter? Research has shown that there are physical health benefits from healthy relationships and marriages. For instance, married people have longer life expectancies than single people, especially married men.
Balancing responsibilities
Do you ever feel as if you are trying to juggle too many items at the same time? Do you care for your kids, go to work, attend school activities, take care of aging parents, help with social events, attend meetings, maintain the car, keep up with the house or apartment, do the shopping, fix the meals and...? The list goes on and on. And when is there time in the day to take care of you?
Stress reduction for a healthier you
Discover effective techniques for reducing stress and improving mental well-being through relaxation, time management, and building a healthy support system.
Different strategies for attaining happiness
Discover effective strategies to increase happiness, including fostering relationships, practicing kindness, and staying positive to improve your well-being.
Becoming more resilient
Discover strategies to enhance resilience: build connections, maintain optimism, help others, embrace humor, nurture spirituality, and prioritize health.
Health benefits of tai chi exercise
Tai chi is a low-impact exercise that improves balance, flexibility, and strength. It reduces pain, stress, and promotes relaxation, benefiting overall health.
Have you had 15 laughs today?
How many laughs have you had today? Researchers suggest that the average American laugh 15 times or more a day for health maintenance.
Chronic stress leads to health problems
Chronic stress can lead to health problems like heart disease, memory issues, and digestive disorders. Learn ways to cope effectively.
Reawaken the phenomenal you
The poem “Phenomenal Woman” by Maya Angelou could serve as an anthem for the average woman and girl, for all of us who do not look like the models we see in magazines or the actresses we see on television. Angelou has written a love poem for every girl or woman who has struggled with body image.
Mindful eating
Discover strategies for mindful eating to help improve your relationship with food, listen to your body's cues, and promote healthier eating habits.
Be more self-aware: What is your body telling you?
Learn to recognize and respond to physical signals from your body, like stress or dehydration, to improve overall well-being and self-awareness.