Family and Consumer Sciences

Live Smart Ohio

Ohio State University Extension

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/

Use Your Senses

Have you ever been having a conversation with a friend or family member, yet unable to focus on what they were saying? Sometimes our minds work on overdrive, and it can be hard to silence thoughts about the past or worries about the future and simply focus on the present. In such instances, using a […]

WRITTEN BY: Jenny Lobb, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Franklin County

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

SOURCES:

  • Bergstrom, C. (2017). Three Senses Mindfulness Activity for Kids, Teens and Grown-Ups. http://blissfulkids.com/three-senses-mindfulness-activity-kids-teens-grown-ups/
  • Powers-Barker, P. (2016). Introduction to Mindfulness. Ohioline. https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-5243-0

A Walk In The Woods

I am a city dweller, and have been for many years. I’ve always enjoyed the excitement and bustle of living in a space where people are constantly on the move, but it sometimes takes its toll. Studies show that city dwellers are more likely to experience stress, and are at an increased risk of developing […]

WRITTEN BY: Amanda Woods, M.Ed. Healthy Finances Program Specialist, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension

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

PHOTO CREDITS:

  • Amanda Woods

SOURCES:

  • Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, October 18, 2017, https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171018113515.htm?utm_content=buffer0e62f&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer
  • Bratman, Daily, Levy, & Gross, Landscape and Urban Planning Volume 138, June 2015, Pages 41-50, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169204615000286
  • Allison Aubrey, Morning Edition, July 17, 2017, http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/07/17/536676954/forest-bathing-a-retreat-to-nature-can-boost-immunity-and-mood
  • Li Q1, Otsuka T, Kobayashi M, Wakayama Y, Inagaki H, Katsumata M, Hirata Y, Li Y, Hirata K, Shimizu T, Suzuki H, Kawada T, Kagawa T., 2011 Mar 23, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21431424
  • Gregory N. Bratmana, J. Paul Hamiltonb, Kevin S. Hahnc, Gretchen C. Daily, James J. Gross, PNAS vol. 112 no. 28, http://www.pnas.org/content/112/28/8567.abstract

The Power of Acceptance

A few years ago my kids were diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that initially caused them pain and suffering… and it caused me even more suffering as a mom. In times like those, it’s common to question why something like that had to happen. Why did they have to get this disease? Why couldn’t they […]

WRITTEN BY: Shannon Carter, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Fairfield County.

REVIEWED BY: Patrice Power-Barker, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Lucas County

SOURCES:

  • Absenger, W. (2015). Mindfulness and the Stages of Grief in Chronic Disease. Mind Body Med by Absenger Cancer Education Foundation.
  • Carter, S. (2015). What is Mindfulness? Live Smart Ohio Mind and Body Blog by Ohio State University Extension. Retrieved from: http://livesmartohio.osu.edu/mind-and-body/carter-413osu-edu/what-is-mindfulness/
  • Carter, S. (2016). Sparkle Like You Mean It. Live Smart Ohio Mind and Body Blog by Ohio State University Extension. Retrieved from: http://livesmartohio.osu.edu/?s=sparkle

Thank you

When I was a kid, my mom would remind me to say “Thank you” when someone gave me a gift or did something for me. Now, as a mother, I remind my own kids to say “Thank you” for those same reasons. For some people it is simple and easy to show gratitude and appreciation, […]

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

REVIEWED BY: Jami Dellifield, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Hardin County, dellifield.2@osu.edu

PHOTO CREDITS:

  • https://pixabay.com/en/thankful-thanks-grateful-thank-you-1081614/

SOURCES:

  • http://ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/welcome/features/2015-2016/11/20151125_gratitude.html
  • http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2012/08/health-benefits.aspx
  • http://news.uga.edu/releases/print/research-links-gratitude-positive-marital-outcomes-1015/
  • https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/tips_for_keeping_a_gratitude_journal/
  • https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/ten_ways_to_become_more_grateful1/

What Is The Hype About Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is abuzz all around us. .  It is in the media, offered as counseling or recovery options, and in self-improvement classes. Don’t forget to be mindful while you eat, parent and sleep.    There are books, CDs, downloads, and television channels dedicated to helping us to be more mindful. As it turns out, mindfulness is […]

WRITTEN BY: Yvette Graham LISW-S, EFNEP Program Specialist, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Stark County, graham.697@osu.edu

REVIEWED BY: Nancy Lyons, EFNEP Program Specialist, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Montgomery County, lyons.489@osu.edu

PHOTO CREDITS:

  • www.pixabay.com

SOURCES:

  • Kachan, D., Olano, H., Tannenbaum, S. L., Annane, D. W., Mehta, A., Arheart, K. L., & Lee, D. (2017, February 09). Prevalence of Mindfulness Practices in the US Workforce: Nationall Health Interview Survey. Retrieved February 10, 2017, from https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/current_issue.htm
  • National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2016, May 24). Meditation: In Depth. Retrieved February 10, 2017, from https://nccih.nih.gov/health/meditation/overview.htm

REFERENCES:

  • Congleton, C., Holzel, B., & Lazar, S. (2015, January 08). Mindfulness Can Literally Change Your Brain. Retrieved February 09, 2017, from https://hbr.org/2015/01/mindfulness-can-literally-change-your-brain
  • Keng, S.-L., Smoski, M. J., & Robins, C. J. (2011). Effects of Mindfulness on Psychological Health: A Review of Empirical Studies. Clinical Psychology Review, 31(6), 1041–1056. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2011.04.006

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