Family and Consumer Sciences

Live Smart Ohio

Ohio State University Extension

LOL-Laugh Out Loud… for your heart!

I have been reading a lot about the benefits of laughter. One surprising benefit of laughter is a healthier heart! Laughter affects your nervous system, boosting your serotonin, dopamine, and endorphin levels,  but also it can be a great workout for the immune, lymph, and cardiovascular systems. When you laugh, your heart rate increases and […]

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

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

PHOTO CREDITS:

  • Photo by Silvia Cosimini from FreeImages

REFERENCES:

  • Abram, T. (2018). Laughter has serious benefits. Michigan State University - https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/laughter_has_serious_benefits
  • Edmonds, M. (2019, June 16). What is laughter therapy? https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/laughter-therapy.htm
  • Henry Ford LiveWell. (2019). How Laughter Benefits your Heart Health. https://www.henryford.com/blog/2019/03/how-laughter-benefits-heart-health#:~:text=When%20you%20laugh%2C%20your%20heart,of%20a%20heart%20disease%20diagnosis.
  • University of California San Francisco. (n.d.). Laughter Yoga. https://osher.ucsf.edu/public-classes/laughter-yoga
  • The University of St. Augustine. (2019). How laughter can relieve stress and Ideas to laugh it off. https://www.usa.edu/blog/how-laughter-can-relieve-stress/

Stressed for Success: Managing the Pressure as a College Student

As August begins many parents prepare to send their children back to a college campus. Once the semester begins it is easy to become overwhelmed with classes and commitments, increased expectations, and balancing responsibilities.  As a current college student at The Ohio State University I understand how hard it can be to protect your mental […]

WRITTEN BY: Guest Author - Abby Motter, motter.109@osu.edu

REVIEWED BY: Candace J. Heer, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Morrow County, heer.7@osu.edu

SOURCES:

  • https://www.adaa.org/finding-help/helping-others/college-students/facts
  • http://www.campusmindworks.org/students/self_care/managing_stress.asp
  • http://www.apa.org/monitor/2011/01/stressed-america.aspx

REFERENCES:

  • https://www.mindful.org/meditation/mindfulness-getting-started/
  • https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/integrative-complementary-medicine/mindfulness-practices

Vacation . . . . . Take Time to Relax, Refresh and Recharge

Summer is almost here and many of us plan to take a vacation. Is yours planned with your tickets purchased and reservations made for special events or activities? Do you like a vacation that is unscheduled and allows you to “go with the flow” – enjoying activities as they present themselves? Do you travel to […]

REVIEWED BY: Joanna Fifner, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Medina County, fifner.2@osu.edu

SOURCES:

  • https://www.nps.gov/index.htm
  • https://www.nps.gov/subjects/centennial/index.htm
  • https://www.nps.gov/kids/features/2016/JrRangerCentennialBooklet.cfm
  • http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/you_do_have_time_for_a_summer_vacation

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