OSU professionals help area residents "Live Well"

Health is a lot more than how one looks and feels. When considering health, one should include 8 dimensions or areas of wellness—that is emotional, social, spiritual, financial, occupational, environmental, and intellectual, in addition to physical. That's the focus of Living Well Month, a national event in March, promoted by NEAFCS, the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, to support overall wellness and improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities in the areas we serve. The Ohio Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) works through the Ohio State University Cooperative Extension Service to offer information that will help families achieve a positive, healthy lifestyle. Whether you are trying to manage your diabetes through meal planning and exercise, make decisions about health care and insurance, or get tips on effective parenting techniques, Extension FCS has a research-based answer. To make every month a "Living Well Month," consider these tips and suggestions: • Engage children in at least 60 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week. Adults need at least 30 minutes of physical activity. Play sports or recreational games, turn on some music and dance, hula hoop, or make an obstacle course. Take a walk or a bike ride in your neighborhood. All movement counts. • Start planning a garden now to work in the spring and summer. Gardening is great physical activity. This activity could also nurture your mental and environmental wellness. • Rethink your drink. The average adult human body is approximately 60 percent water. Water regulates every living cell's process and chemical reactions. It transports nutrients and oxygen. Water also helps to maintain normal bowel habits and prevent constipation. Reduce the amount of soda and fruit drinks consumed daily. • Eat a variety of healthful foods, including colorful fruits and vegetables every day. Most people need to increase their fruit and vegetable intake. Have a sliced banana on cereal for breakfast. Enjoy a sandwich loaded with vegetables at lunch. At dinner, steam some vegetables and prepare a fruit parfait with yogurt for dessert. Try new fruits and vegetables. If there's a kind you don't like, try preparing it in a different way. See www.choosemyplate.gov for more information about nutrition for yourself and members of your family. • Read, read, read. Go to the library and check out books. Keep the mental stimulation flowing throughout the year regardless of your age. This will stimulate your intellectual health. • Talk to a friend or start a journal to get your thoughts and feelings off your chest. Staying in check with emotional health can be tough, but it's important. • Maintain a healthy home. Check that your smoke detector is working correctly and test for the presence of radon. Help manage allergies and/or asthma by cleaning and vacuuming regularly to reduce allergy triggers in the home. Avoid accidental poisonings by keeping medications locked up, and ensuring that cleaning agents and other poisons out of reach of children. • Keep your family finances in check. Track your expenses and update your budget regularly. Eat at home often because meals outside of home usually cost more. Plan your menus and use coupons as a planning tool. Creating and sticking to a budget, along with paying of debt are great first steps to financial wellness. OSU Extension publication "Counting Your Money Calendar" may be a helpful tool for you: https://extensionpubs.osu.edu/counting-your-money-calendar Little is a family and consumer science extension educator with The Ohio State University Extension Office.