Family and Consumer Sciences

Live Smart Ohio

Ohio State University Extension

November is National Family Caregivers Month

During the month of November, we celebrate those who care day-in-and-day-out, round-the-clock for loved ones. When a loved one has a sudden injury or a medical condition that requires urgent attention, this responsibility typically falls on their immediate family. Many who take on this responsibility are ill-prepared for the emotional and physical challenges this role […]

WRITTEN BY: Dr. Roseanne E. Scammahorn, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, OSU Extension Darke County

REVIEWED BY: Lorrissa Dunfee, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, OSU Extension Belmont County

REFERENCES:

  • Bradley-Bursack, C. (2021 July 3). How to be a true friend to a family caregiver. Aging Care. Retrieved from https://www.agingcare.com/articles/be-a-true-friend-to-a-family-caregiver-167934.htm
  • Cleveland Clinic. (2019, January 13). Caregiver Burnout. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9225-caregiver-burnout
  • Mayo Clinic. (2020, August 29). Support groups: Make connections, get help. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/support-groups/art-20044655
  • Scammahorn, R. (2020, April 24). Express your stress- Tips to tame your stress. Retrieved from https://livesmartohio.osu.edu/mind-and-body/scammahorn-5osu-edu/express-your-stress-tips-to-tame-your-stress/
  • Scammahorn, R. (2021, June 15). “No.” is a complete sentence. Retrieved from https://livesmartohio.osu.edu/family-and-relationships/scammahorn-5osu-edu/no-is-a-complete-sentence/

Don’t Worry, Be Happy

Yes, now you have that song stuck in your head, you’re welcome. As I hum the song, I can’t help but to smile and to reflect on things that make me happy. To give the definition of happiness may seem silly, since most of us understand what it is, but according to positive psychology researcher […]

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

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

PHOTO CREDITS:

  • https://pixabay.com/photos/family-sea-vacation-beach-summer-2432568/
  • https://pixabay.com/photos/african-african-american-afro-3797905/

SOURCES:

  • Greater Good Magazine. Happiness Defined: What is Happiness? Found on 4/10/19 at https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/happiness/definition
  • Greater Good Magazine. Happiness Defined: Why Practice It? Retrieved on 4/10/19 from https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/happiness/definition#why-practice-happiness
  • Harmon, M. (2019). How to "buy" happiness and better health. Found at https://livesmartohio.osu.edu/money/harmon-416osu-edu/how-to-buy-happiness-and-better-health/
  • Harvard Men's Health Watch. (2017). The pursuit of happiness. Retrieved on 4/10/19 from: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-pursuit-of-happiness
  • Ho, L. (2019). How to Be Happy: Why Pursuing Happiness Will Make You Unhappy https://www.lifehack.org/610387/why-its-impossible-to-be-consistently-happy
  • Kloppers, M. 10 Things To Stop Caring About If You Want To Be Happier. Found on 4/10/19 at https://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/ten-things-stop-caring-about-you-want-happier.html
  • Locke, R. (2018). 10 Scientifically Proven Ways To Stay Happy All The Time. Retrieved from https://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/10-scientifically-proven-ways-stay-happy-all-the-time.html
  • National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI). Mental Health Conditions. Retrieved on 4/10/19 from: https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions
  • Suttie, J. (2019). How Understanding Evolution Can Help Us to Be Happy. Greater Good Magazine. Found at https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_understanding_evolution_can_help_us_to_be_happy

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.

How to “buy” happiness and better health

My husband and I took my 15 year old daughter to see Hamilton a couple nights ago. Her birthday was January 29th, the same day that Hamilton opened in Columbus. She told me last summer that she would like to go to the show for her birthday. I informed her that I would try to […]

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

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

PHOTO CREDITS:

  • https://pixabay.com/en/african-african-american-american-3741972/
  • https://pixabay.com/en/couple-happy-old-grandfather-858694/

SOURCES:

  • Consumer Federation of America, (2018). 54 Ways to Save Money, America Saves. Retrieved from: https://americasaves.org/for-savers/make-a-plan-how-to-save-money/54-ways-to-save-money
  • Newman, K. (2016). Six Ways to Get More Happiness for Your Money. Greater Good Magazine. Found here: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/six_ways_to_get_more_happiness_for_your_money
  • Santi, J. (2015). Nine Tips to Make Your Giving Feel Good. Greater Good Magazine. Retrieved from: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/nine_tips_to_make_your_giving_feel_good
  • Wilblin, R. (2016). Everything you need to know about whether money makes you happy. 80,000 hours. Retrieved from: https://80000hours.org/articles/money-and-happiness/
  • University of Minnesota, (2016). How Can You Improve Your Relationship with Money? Taking Charge of Your Health and Wellbeing. Found here: https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/how-can-you-improve-your-relationship-money

REFERENCES:

  • Bea, S. (2016). Wanna Give? This Is Your Brain on a ‘Helper’s High’. Cleveland Clinic. Found here: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-giving-is-good-for-your-health/

At Least I’m not Married to That Person

My wife sometimes shares a story with me about an encounter she has had with a person whom she perceives as difficult—arrogant, insolent, and/or egotistical. She might end the story with the phrase, “At least, I am not married to that person.” I want to analyze this phrase. ‘At least’, the first part of the […]

WRITTEN BY: Joseph Maiorano, PHD, Family and Consumer Sciences, Harrison County Ohio, maiorano.2@osu.edu

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

PHOTO CREDITS:

  • Pixabay https://pixabay.com/en/path-hiking-trail-grass-travel-18197/

SOURCES:

  • Hyntish. (March 2, 2012). How to deal with difficult people. Albert Ellis, Ph.D. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rwkU8BfVgk
  • Harris, V. (written 2012, reviewed 2015). 9 Important Communication Skills for Every Relationship. Family Youth and Community Sciences Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Found at https://ifas.ufl.edu/media/smartcouplesifasufledu/docs/pdfs/9-Important-Communication-Skills-for-Every-Relationship.pdf

REFERENCES:

  • Ellis, A. E. & Harper, R. A. (1997). A Guide to Rational Living. Chartsworth, CA: Wilkshire Book Company.
  • Futris, T. & Richardson, E. 2013. Are We Compatible? University of Georgia. Downloaded on February 22, 2018 from: https://secure.caes.uga.edu/extension/publications/files/pdf/C%201052-09_1.PDF
  • King, A. (April 25, 2017). When dating take OFF your rose colored glasses. Huffington Post. Retrieved from https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/when-dating-take-off-your-rose-colored-glasses_us_58feab5de4b0f420ad99cb47
  • Spires, C. 2010. Resolving Conflict Constructively and Respectfully. Ohio State University Extension. Downloaded on February 26, 2018. https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/HYG-5196
  • Wiley, A. R. 2007. Connecting as a couple: Communication skills for healthy relationships. The Forum for Family and Consumer Sciences, 12 (1). Downloaded on February 22, 2018 from: https://projects.ncsu.edu/ffci/publications/2007/v12-n1-2007-spring/wiley/fa-11-wiley.php

Not so fast!

  So, you want to develop a committed, long term, intimate relationship with a special someone. Even though he or she might be quite the hottie, have a great sense of humor, and a love for others, you shouldn’t rush into things. Here are a couple activities that might help you decide if this is […]

WRITTEN BY: Joseph Maiorano, PHD, Family and Consumer Sciences, Harrison County Ohio, maiorano.2@osu.edu

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

PHOTO CREDITS:

  • Misty Harmon

SOURCES:

  • Helping Hand Sock Locks. found at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Helping-Hand-Paired-Washer-Laundry/dp/B00SS1UFT4/ref=asc_df_B00SS1UFT4/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=193136497623&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9842937456833710078&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1023600&hvtargid=pla-314827111144&psc=1
  • http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/healthy-relationships.aspx

REFERENCES:

  • Bralich, C. (2017). Money and Relationships. Money $mart. Issue H. Downloaded on June 26, 2018 from https://washington.uwex.edu/files/2017/12/Issue-H-Money-and-Relationships-UW.pdf
  • Fletcher, C. N. (2008). Communication. Money Mechanics. Iowa State University Extension. Downloaded on June 21, 2018 from, https://store.extension.iastate.edu/product/Communication-Money-Mechanics

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