Family and Consumer Sciences

Live Smart Ohio

Ohio State University Extension

Gardening as a Self-Care Practice

Self-care can be as basic as daily routines like brushing your teeth or staying hydrated by drinking enough water. While it might be easy to list daily tasks that support personal care such as eating well, getting enough sleep, exercising, and connecting with others, it is not uncommon that stressful times can upset a self-care […]

WRITTEN BY: Patrice Powers-Barker, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Lucas County

REVIEWED BY: Roseanne E. Scammahorn, PhD, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Darke County

PHOTO CREDITS:

  • Powers-Barker, P. (2020)
  • Stone, A. (2019)

SOURCES:

  • Dockrill, P. (2016). Just looking at photos of nature could be enough to lower your work stress levels. Science Alert. Retrieved 06/16/20 from https://www.sciencealert.com/just-looking-at-photos-of-nature-could-be-enough-to-lower-your-work-stress-levels
  • Elrer, E. (2019). Will you give me some tips on how to propagate houseplants from cuttings? A Question of the Week. University of New Hampshire Extension. Retrieved 06/15/20 from https://extension.unh.edu/blog/will-you-give-me-some-tips-how-propagate-houseplants-cuttings
  • Ensle, K. (2012) Mindful eating for better health. Rutgers, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. Retrieved 06/15/20 https://njaes.rutgers.edu/sshw/message/message.php?p=Health&m=221
  • Jo, H. Song, C., and Miyazaki, Y. (2019). Physiological benefits of viewing nature: A systematic review of indoor experiments. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 16 (23): 4739. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6926748/
  • Kennelly, S. (2012). A scientific reason to stop and smell the roses: A new study suggests people are happier when they take time to appreciate the good things in life. Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkley. Retrieved 06/16/20 from https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/a_scientific_reason_to_stop_and_smell_the_roses
  • Pollinator Week: Pollinators, Plants, People, Planet. (2020). Pollinator Partnership. Retrieved 06/15/20 from https://www.pollinator.org/pollinator-week
  • Powers-Barker, P. (2017). Infused Water with Ohio Local Foods, Ohio State University Extension, Retrieved 06/15/20 from https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-5363
  • Roudabush, C. (2020). Self-Care for Youth and Families. South Dakota State University Extension. Retrieved 06/15/20 from https://extension.sdstate.edu/self-care-youth-and-families
  • Schmidgall, V. (2018). Mindful Monday: Try the “Five Senses” Mindfulness Exercise, Physical, Wellness Tips & Wellness Articles. University of Vermont Medical Center. Retrieved 06/15/20 from https://medcenterblog.uvmhealth.org/wellness/physical/mindfulness-mindful-monday-exercise/

Mindfulness in Childbirth

I gave birth for the first time in August. Being a first-time mom, I was nervous and anxious about childbirth. Our hospital offered a course about childbirth that my husband and I attended. They covered topics like when to know when you are in labor, the stages of labor, what things to expect, strategies for […]

WRITTEN BY: Katie Schlagheck, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ottawa & Sandusky Counties

REVIEWED BY: Bridget Britton, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Carroll County

Express your Stress- Tips to tame your stress

Stress is a normal part of life and affects everyone.  We encounter stress in our surroundings, our body, and our thoughts.  Nevertheless, not all stress is bad. We experience stress when we take a test or have a job interview, which can motivate people. Stress also happens when you find yourself in a dangerous situation, […]

WRITTEN BY: Dr. Roseanne Ellison Scammahorn, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Darke County, scammahorn.5@osu.edu

REVIEWED BY: Kellie Lemly, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Champaign County, lemly.2@osu.edu

SOURCES:

  • • 5 Things You Should Know About Stress – National Institute of Mental Health https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/stress/index.shtml
  • • 7 Strange Things Stress Can Do to Your Body – The Cleveland Clinic https://health.clevelandclinic.org/7-strange-things-stress-can-body
  • • 10 Ways to Celebrate National Stress Awareness Month - https://www.beliefnet.com/wellness/galleries/10-ways-to-celebrate-national-stress-awareness-month.aspx#ZY3aw2MzLkTIJQsl.99
  • • Find Your Own Healthy Way to De-Stress – The Ohio State University https://livesmartohio.osu.edu/mind-and-body/hite-143osu-edu/find-your-own-healthy-way-to-de-stress/
  • • Stress management – The May Clinic - https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relievers/art-20047257

All Hands On Deck

If the phrase all hands on deck means that everyone needs to help in achieving a large task, we all currently have the assignment to wash our hands regularly and properly. The good news is that handwashing is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of many harmful microorganisms  including COVID-19. One […]

WRITTEN BY: Patrice Powers-Barker, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Lucas County

PHOTO CREDITS:

  • Powers-Barker, March 2020

REFERENCES:

  • Chiesa, A. & Serretti, A. (2009). MBSR for stress management in healthy people: A review and meta-analysis. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 15(5), 593-600.
  • COVID-19: How to care for dry hands after washing them so much. (2020, March 13). UCLA Health. Retrieved April 15, 2020 from https://www.uclahealth.org/covid-19-how-to-care-for-dry-hands-after-washing-them-so-much
  • COVID-19 Prevention measures: Clean your hands often. (nd). NC State Extension. Retrieved April 15, 2020 from https://producesafety.osu.edu/sites/prsafety/files/imce/OSU_Handwashing_COVID-19_Flyer_031920.pdf
  • Dermatologists encourage the public to moisturize after hand washing to prevent dry skin and infections. (2020, March 19), American Academy of Dermatology. https://www.newswise.com/coronavirus/american-academy-of-dermatology-shares-hand-washing-tips-amid-covid-19/?article_id=728439
  • Food Safety consumer research project: Meal preparation experiment related to thermometer use, Executive Summary (2018, May). The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved April 15, 2020 from https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/1fe5960e-c1d5-4bea-bccc-20b07fbfde50/Observational-Study-Addendum.pdf?MOD=AJPERES
  • Glove use information leaflet. (2009). World Health Organization. Retrieved April 15, 2020 from https://www.who.int/gpsc/5may/Glove_Use_Information_Leaflet.pdf
  • Kampf, G., and Ennen, J. (2006, February 13). Regular use of a hand cream can attenuate skin dryness and roughness caused by frequent hand washing. BMC Dermatology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1397860/
  • Mindfulness practices (2020). Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University. Retrieved April 15, 2020 from https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/integrative-complementary-medicine/resources/mindfulness-practices
  • Pollak, S. (2020). Why parents need a little self-compassion. Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley. greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/why_parents_need_a_little_self_compassion

Mind Your Meals this Holiday Season

With fall in full swing and Thanksgiving just a few days away, many of us are faced with lots of opportunities to eat. Though the many celebrations and festivities of the season can be a great time to catch up with family and friends, these might also tempt us to overindulge. The gatherings and special […]

WRITTEN BY: Misty Harmon, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Perry County, harmon.417@osu.edu

REVIEWED BY: Joseph Maiorano, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Harrison County, maiorano.2@osu.edu

PHOTO CREDITS:

  • American Heart Association, Mindful Eating Infographic. Retrieved from: https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/mental-health-and-wellbeing/mindful-eating-infographic

SOURCES:

  • Nelson, J. (2017). Mindful Eating: The Art of Presence While You Eat, Diabetes Spectrum. American Diabetes Association, Retrieved from: http://spectrum.diabetesjournals.org/content/30/3/171
  • Harvard Health Publishing (2016). 8 steps to mindful eating. Retrieved from: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/8-steps-to-mindful-eating
  • Mindful Eating. Retrieved from: https://smokefree.gov/stay-smokefree-good/eat-healthy/mindful-eating
  • Dugas, Julia (2017). Mindful Eating Checklist: How To Master Mindful Eating, Food Insight. Retrieved from: https://www.foodinsight.org/mindful-eating-checklist-flavors-meditation

Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, It’s Off to School They Go

It seems like just yesterday that I was sending my kids off to their first day of preschool. Fast forward to now, I have a college senior, a college freshman, and a high school freshman. Where did all those years go? How are my little kids young adults or teens now? How can I be […]

WRITTEN BY: Misty Harmon, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Perry County, harmon.417@osu.edu

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

PHOTO CREDITS:

  • https://pixabay.com/en/classroom-school-education-learning-2093744/
  • https://pixabay.com/en/school-education-learning-converse-909381/

SOURCES:

  • National Center for Education Statistics (2018). Fast Facts: Back to School Statistics. Retrieved at: https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=372
  • Harmon, M. (2018). Mindful Parenting: Enjoy Every Moment. Live Smart Ohio. Available at http://livesmartohio.osu.edu/mind-and-body/harmon-416osu-edu/mindful-parenting-enjoy-every-moment/
  • Great Schools Staff (2018). 11 tips for adjusting to a new school. Retrieved at: https://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/adjusting-to-new-school/
  • Coburn, K. (2018). Letting go: tips for parents of new college students. Found at: https://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/letting-go-new-college-students/
  • Garey, J. (2018). Preparing for College Emotionally, Not Just Academically. Available at: https://childmind.org/article/preparing-for-college-emotionally-not-just-academically/

Need Assistance?

If you are having issues logging into the site, need assistance with updates, or need to request an alternate format please send an email to the EHE Service Desk at servicedesk@ehe.osu.edu stating the nature of your issue and we will assist you. Thank you.

Follow us!

Are you a Live Smart Ohio Author? Log in here!