Family and Consumer Sciences

Live Smart Ohio

Ohio State University Extension

Finding Help When Feeling Hopeless

Suicide is an uncomfortable subject and one we do not talk about frequently. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States.  It is the second leading cause of death for individuals ages 10-34. September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. It is a time […]

WRITTEN BY: Lorrissa Dunfee, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Belmont County, dunfee.54@osu.edu

REVIEWED BY: Misty Harmon, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Perry County, harmon.416@osu.edu

PHOTO CREDITS:

  • https://pixabay.com/illustrations/depression-voices-self-criticism-1250870/

SOURCES:

  • “Risk of Suicide.” NAMI, Aug. 2019, www.nami.org/learn-more/mental-health-conditions/related-conditions/suicide.
  • “Suicide.” National Institute of Mental Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Apr. 2019, www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/suicide.shtml#part_154971.
  • “Suicide Statistics.” AFSP, 16 Apr. 2019, afsp.org/about-suicide/suicide-statistics.

Love Thine Own Self

Many times when we talk about relationships we focus on those relationships we have with other people.  I think it is important to develop and maintain healthy relationships with friends, family, co-workers, etc.   I also believe having a healthy, positive, and loving relationship with yourself is crucial.  The type of relationship you have with yourself […]

WRITTEN BY: Lorissa Dunfee, Ohio State University Extension, Family and Consumer Sciences, Belmont County

REVIEWED BY: Shannon Carter, Ohio State University Extension, Family and Consumer Sciences, Fairfield County

SOURCES:

  • "Building Trust." California State University, Stanislaus. 2014.
  • Stephen, Asha, "Creating Healthy Relationships." Be Well Blog, University of Oregon. 2017.

Gratitude? Can it affect overall health?

According to Cambridge Dictionary, gratitude is defined as “a strong feeling of appreciation to someone or something for what the person has done to help you”.  The holiday season lends itself to expressing gratitude, probably more so than any other time during the year. One regular practice my family engages in over Thanksgiving is going […]

WRITTEN BY: Lorrissa Dunfee, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Belmont County

REVIEWED BY: Amanda Bohlen, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Washington County

SOURCES:

  • Definition of "gratitude" - English Dictionary. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/gratitude#dataset-cacd
  • Ducharme, J. (2017, November 20). 7 Surprising Health Benefits of Gratitude. Retrieved from http://time.com/5026174/health-benefits-of-gratitude/
  • Gratitude Practice Explained. (2015, November 23). Retrieved from http://ei.yale.edu/what-is-gratitude/

Why Laugh?

I recently got back from vacation and started to reflect on the wonderful opportunity to share time with family and friends. One thing that stood out for me was the amount of laughter experienced.  According to Merriam-Webster, laughter is a sound of laughing, a cause of merriment.  From the very beginning to the very end […]

WRITTEN BY: Lorrissa Dunfee, M.S., Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Belmont County.

REVIEWED BY: Lisa Barlage, M.S., Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Ross County.

SOURCES:

  • Recker, Nancy. Laughter Is Really Good Medicine. 2007, www.dartmouth.edu/~eap/library/Laughter_Good_Medicine.pdf.
  • “Stress Relief from Laughter? It's No Joke.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 21 Apr. 2016, www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456.
  • Marano, Hara Estroff. “Laughter: The Best Medicine.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, Apr. 2005, www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/200504/laughter-the-best-medicine.
  • “Laughter.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, 2018, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/laughter.

Calling All Sun Worshippers

Waking up to the sun shining brings happiness to me and an eagerness to soak up as much of the sun’s rays as possible.  Now that Spring has arrived, I’m sure bright sunshiny days are in my future.  When the weather is nice it provides the opportunity to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors.  […]

WRITTEN BY: Lorrissa Dunfee

REVIEWED BY: Pat Brinkman

SOURCES:

  • Have a Sun-Safe Summer. American Cancer Society. May 1, 2017. https://www.cancer.org/latest-news/stay-sun-safe-this-summer.html
  • Sun Safety Tips for Families. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. December 12, 2017. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/sun-safety-tips-families.htm
  • Sun Cancer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. November 13, 2017. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/

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