Live Healthy Live Well Blog readers and followers,
We moved to our new platform u.osu.edu/livehealthyosu at the beginning of March. Have you been following along with us there? If you haven’t checked out our new site yet, be sure to visit it and subscribe so you don’t miss any new content! Here are the articles that posted in May:
This is the final post that will appear on this site. While this site will remain “live” through the fall, we will be posting exclusively on our new platform from now on. Make sure you subscribe so you can stay informed of our newest posts!
Live Healthy Live Well Blog readers and followers,
We moved to our new platform u.osu.edu/livehealthyosu at the beginning of March. Have you been following along with us there? If you haven’t checked out our new site yet, be sure to visit it and subscribe so you don’t miss any new content! Here are the articles that posted in April:
We will post one more “monthly roundup” in May, and then we will post exclusively on our new platform moving forward, although this site will remain “live” through the fall. Don’t delay subscribing so you can stay informed of our newest posts!
Live Healthy Live Well Blog readers and followers,
We moved to our new platform u.osu.edu/livehealthyosu at the beginning of the month. Have you been following along with us there? If you haven’t checked out our new site yet, be sure to visit it and subscribe so you don’t miss any new content! Here are the articles that posted in March:
We will post these “monthly roundups” for April and May, and then we will post exclusively on our new platform moving forward, although this site will remain “live” through the fall. Don’t delay subscribing so you can stay informed of our newest posts!
Hello, Live Healthy Live Well Blog readers and followers,
After much contemplation and consideration, we are moving our blog to a new platform. Our new platform will allow for better features and accessibility.
What does this mean for you?
You will still be able to follow along with us at u.osu.edu/livehealthyosu. We were able to move our posts and webinar recordings, so you can still access our previously posted content on the new website.
How to stay updated?
Be sure to subscribe to our new site by visiting u.osu.edu/livehealthyosu and submit your email to subscribe on the right side of the page, under recent comments and recent posts:
Moving forward, we will post here once a month until the summer of 2025, letting you know what topics you missed from all our great authors, along with a reminder to subscribe to our new location.
Thank you for your continued support; we look forward to seeing you at our new address, u.osu.edu/livehealthyosu
Valentine’s day is commonly associated with traditions and gestures expressing love and affection for those you care about. The holiday falls on February 14th and is named after the mysterious historical figure, St. Valentine.
Stories of St. Valentine’s origin are dark and describe a tale of a priest who married lovers in secret, was imprisoned and set to be executed, and sent out a note signed “From your Valentine” to the jailer’s sick daughter who he helped heal. Another story describes St. Valentine as someone who distributed heart-shaped parchment to soldiers during times of war as messages of positivity to keep their spirits up.
Fast forward hundreds of years later, and a more recent connection to Valentine’s day as we know it today, is a poem called, “The Parlement of Foules”, written by English poet Geoffrey Chaucer. Per Ottawa University, the poem “describes a conference of birds that meet to choose their mates on St. Valentine’s Day-February 14.”
Valentine’s messages grew in popularity during the Middle Ages as noblemen would write poems to their wives in the form of a “valentine note”, and by the 18th century it was common for people across all social statuses to exchange “gifts of affection, written notes, and handmade cards.”
Our modern-day valentines can be attributed to the “Mother of the American Valentine,” Esther A. Howland. Esther started her own company, the New England Valentine Company, and mass-produced Valentines cards out of Worchester, Massachusetts, popularizing a few styles we still use today, such as the classic colored-paper and white lace design valentine.
To continue the tradition of declaring your love on Valentine’s day, show your significant other you care by signing up for a free, self-paced online class on communication, commitment, problem solving, and fun and friendship.
The Strong Couples project offers the online classes, for free, in addition to five brief video calls with a trained coach. This educational program is not counseling but teaches couples to use tools that improve their relationship. This program is for couples together six months or longer in all life stages. The Strong Couples project is led by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the University of Illinois Extension. Ohio State University Extension is a partner of this project.
Build greater intimacy and connection this Valentine’s Day using the Strong Couples project, for a more happily ever after!
Written by: Caitlin Mathews-Smith, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension.
Reviewed by: Kate Shumaker, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension
It doesn’t matter if you are busy parents (of young children or teens), overwhelmed at work, or a caregiver to your aging parent or a spouse who is recovering from surgery —- most of us could use a break. I know – right away you are saying “I don’t have time for that.” But the science supports that we could all benefit from a “Me Day” or a little “Self-Care” time.
Studies have found that taking a “Me Day” break may help you sleep better, inspire creativity, improve relationships,increase productivity, boost happiness, and lower rates of depression. Easy examples to see in life are the study break you took when cramming for an exam or a coffee break at work. You gave your brain a little time to recharge and could power through.
If you feel like you are just too busy to take the “Me Day” break, start with just 30-minutes of me time and see if you can’t build up to a few hours or even a day. Just like you schedule a meeting at work or with the PTA or schedule a medical appointment – you would benefit from some scheduled “Me” time. Prioritize “Me” time activities that give you a break from screens so that you don’t negate your “Me” time with poor sleep quality or anxiety.
Ideas for your “Me Day” or break to recharge may include:
Take a bath.
Do a puzzle.
Take walk or hike.
Do some star gazing.
Try meditation.
Enjoy gardening.
Crafting, sewing, quilting, pottery, or other hand crafts.
Do yoga or dance.
Listen to music.
Journaling your thoughts.
Or my favorite – reading or listening to a book.
What can you add to the list that is something you can do on your own, without a screen? Schedule your own “Me Day” or at a minimum “Me Break” in the next month.
Writer: Lisa Barlage, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Ross County.
Reviewer: Misty Harmon, Assistant Professor, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Perry County.
My most recent birthday entered me into a new demographic. I am officially a senior. I have started receiving Medicare enrollment notices, and I have noticed over the last several years high school classmates announcing their retirements. A couple of months ago my younger brother asked me when I was going to retire and told me of his plans in the next couple of years. It has really caused me to think about when is the right time for retirement?
Financially ready? The best time to prepare is when you are closer to the beginning of your career, than the end. Compound interest has time as a part of the equation. One financial planner explained it this way. If a 20-year-old puts $100 dollars per month into a retirement program that averages 8% growth at age 60 they will have over $1,000,000 dollars in that account. If the same person starts at age 40 it takes $1000 per month at 8% until age 60 to have the same amount.
Most of us will need about 75 % of current income for retirement, to maintain current lifestyle. The closer to retirement that one gets, the closer they need to look at income, such as Social Security or retirement plans, savings and investments. What age do these plans require? For example, Social Security can start at age 62, however there is a reduced benefit amount and reduction of benefits with other income. An individual needs to look at current expenses and reduce debt, if possible. Medical care, prescription drugs and those related costs are a huge consideration. For some a part time job after retirement helps with finances in addition to reducing isolation. The cost of living can vary greatly depending on location. Most people look deeply at the finances of retirement, fewer look at some of the other considerations.
Emotionally, is it time to go? According to American Association of Retired People (AARP) there are 8 signs that it is time to retire. Five of them have to do with emotions: Becoming uninterested in the job having no sense of purpose, not wanting to go to work; health is suffering due to stress; feeling burned out causing problems with focusing or temper; technology is causing stress (sorry fellow boomers); desire to try something else like own a business or travel. Another group (Retirely.com) talked about not wanting to get out of bed; not feeling valued at work by younger colleagues. Ideally deciding to retire involves much more than having enough money. Understanding what is going on emotionally can help being ready to retire is important. It’s difficult to move to this next phase at times.
What can I expect after retirement? After retirement it is typical for most people to go through the 4 stages of retirement. The first stage is called the honeymoon stage this often a period of travel. I know a couple that soon after their retirement purchased a motor camper and took other family out west to see the many of their ‘bucket list’ sites. They spent several months touring national parks like Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore and the Badlands. I don’t think that they have gone anywhere in it for a couple of years now. Like honeymoons this phase ends usually with in the first year or so. The next phase is the disenchantment phase characterized by feels of ‘lack of purpose’, maybe disappointment with thoughts of ‘is this all that there is?’ The connections with others from work are missed as well. The next phase is the reorientation stage, characterized by people finding renewed purpose in art, hobbies, volunteering, business ventures, family time etc. The final phase is the stability stage, this stage is characterized by again finding purpose, enjoyment and a rhythm to life.For more on this topic watch the Healthy Aging Network Telecast.
The retirement decision is very individualized. The timing will vary from person to person.
Written by: Ken Stewart, Ohio State University Extension, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Monroe County.
Reviewed by: Lisa Barlage, Ohio State University Extension, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ross County.
Social connection is vital to human existence, but we have become more isolated over time. In fact, loneliness and isolation, which threaten our health and well-being, have become a major U.S. health concern, according to an advisory from the Surgeon General.
Over the past few decades, U.S. social trends indicate that companionship and engagement with friends and family have declined while isolation has increased. Trust in institutions and in others, an indicator for social connectedness, is reported to be on the decline in our country.
Approximately half of U.S. adults report experiencing loneliness. Loneliness affects people from all age groups, socioeconomic conditions, and geographies. Possible causes for the downward trends in social connection include decreasing social participation, demographics, reduced community involvement, and use of technology.
In May 2023 a press release announced a new U.S. Department of Health and Human Services initiative, the Commission on Social Connection, focusing on the importance of social activities to our health and well-being. Social connection reduces the risk of premature mortality. It can predict better physical and mental health outcomes and ease stress. Higher levels of connection can even impact educational and economic achievement.
The U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, is challenging us to take the “5-for-5 Connection Challenge” to build and strengthen relationships and inspire others to incorporate connection in their daily lives! Here are the steps:
Step 1: Commit to connect
Pick 5 actions and 5 days in a row to connect with people in your life.
Step 2: Connect each day for 5 days
Each day, take 1 simple action of your choice to express gratitude, offer support, or ask for help. For more ideas, see the card deck.
Step 3: Reflect and share.
Take a moment. How did connecting make you feel?
Let your loved ones know about your experience and invite them to join in! Use #MadeToConnect on social media and share this link.
You can share your stories by emailing MadeToConnect@hhs.gov to inspire more connection.
Together, we can foster social connection and improve our nation’s public health. Improving social connection requires that each of us commit to our relationships and communities. Our actions today can create sustainable positive changes to society and improve health for everyone.
Writer: Shannon Carter, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Fairfield County
Reviewer: Erin Ruggiero, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Medina County
Sources:
Knoepflmacher, D. America’s Loneliness Epidemic: What Is to Be Done? Weill Cornell Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, 2024.
Office of the Surgeon General (OSG). Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community [Internet]. Washington (DC): US Department of Health and Human Services; 2023. PMID: 37792968.
Most children are returning back to school this week after at least a couple of weeks off. While the holiday season is a magical time for families, it can throw school routines into chaos. Here are some strategies to reset routines, manage screen time, and ease your family back into school.
Establish or reestablish a consistent bedtime. Have a calming bedtime routine with reading or soft music and turn off screens at least a half an hour before bed. If you aren’t sure what is a good bedtime for your child, check out this sleep chart from the National Sleep Foundation.
Revisit Morning Routines. After a break from school is a great time to make any changes for the morning routine that may have not been working before! Creating a visual checklist is a great way to prevent morning meltdowns. You can also be better prepared by making lunch and prepping outfits and bookbags the night before.
Reset Homework Habits. Make a quiet, distraction-free homework space for schoolwork. Make it a habit to review homework every evening! Set boundaries around screen time and make the rules known to everyone in the home.
Have Conversations to Prepare. Whether your child is excited to go back to school or not, they may be nervous for the change in routine. Ask questions and have conversations around getting back into routine and let your children know you are there for them. Try to build excitement by mentioning things they have enjoyed in school or what they can look forward to.
Transitioning back to school after a break can be a challenge for both kids and parents, but with a little preparation and a lot of patience, you can get through it together! By focusing on routines, emotional support, and open communication, you are setting your child up for a successful return to the classroom. Remember, it’s okay if everything doesn’t go perfectly right away! Let us know if you use any of these tips to help your transition back to school go a little smoother for everyone!
Written By: Erin Ruggiero, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences
Reviewed By: Holly Bandy, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences
There are almost 7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s Disease, the most common cause of dementia, and that figure is expected to rise to nearly 13 million by 2050. Nearly everyone knows someone living with dementia – a loved one, a coworker, a friend, or a neighbor.
Have you ever wondered how to support people in your community who are living with dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease? The Dementia Friends program is a social action movement developed by the Alzheimer’s Society in the United Kingdom. It aims to equip people to better support individuals in their communities living with dementia through awareness, understanding, and action. The Dementia Friends program focuses on five facts they believe everyone should know about dementia:
Dementia is not a natural part of aging.
Dementia is caused by diseases of the brain.
Dementia is not just about losing your memory.
It’s possible to live well with dementia.
There is more to the person than the dementia.
You can learn more about dementia and become a dementia friend by participating in a 75-minute virtual training session through the Ohio Council for Cognitive Health. Whether you become an official dementia friend or not, some of the small actions you can take to better support individuals in your community living with dementia include:
Offering to call someone with dementia once a week to chat
Including a person with dementia in conversations
Asking a person with dementia for advice
Playing a board or card game together
Inviting a person with dementia to join you for a cup of coffee
Listening, smiling, and showing you care
Offering to pick up groceries or run an errand
Offering support to caregivers of people living with dementia
Volunteering for an organization that helps people living with dementia or their caregivers
Encouraging your friends to become dementia friendly
Being more patient with people living with dementia when out in the community
Making your workplace more dementia friendly
Campaigning for change (e.g., by participating in local advocacy events)
To learn more about dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease and advocate for change, consider reaching out to your local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association for current resources and events.
Written by Jenny Lobb, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, OSU Extension Franklin County
Reviewed by: Alexus Masterson, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, OSU Extension Muskingum County
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