Family and Consumer Sciences

Live Smart Ohio

Ohio State University Extension

Creating “Margin” in Your Life

Do you find yourself often rushing from one activity or event to another? Is your schedule so full that a little “hiccup” in the day creates a tragic loss of unrecoverable time and the rest of the day falls apart like a line of dominoes? Perhaps you could use a little margin in your life. […]

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

REVIEWED BY: Melinda Hill, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Wayne County

SOURCES:

  • American Psychological Association, “Research-based strategies for better balance.” July/August 2016, Vol 47, No. 7. http://www.apa.org/monitor/2016/07-08/sidebar-balance.aspx
  • Li, Qing. Effect of forest bathing trips on human immune function. Environ Health Prev Med. 2010 January; 15(1): 9–17. Published online 2009 March 25. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2793341/
  • Swenson, R. 2004. Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives. NavPress, Colorado. http://www.richardswenson.com/margin/

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/

Managing Summer Stress

Summer is here with its warm weather and sunny days. Our schedules are filling up with picnics, barbecues and swimming pool parties. Summer also means that the kids are out of school and that can add family stress. Stress can take a significant toll on your health and it’s very important you notice when you […]

WRITTEN BY: Amanda Bohlen, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Washington County.

REVIEWED BY: Name, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, County.

REFERENCES:

  • http://drdavewalsh.com/posts/165.
  • https://www.mottchildren.org/posts/your-child/kids-and-digital-media

Overscheduled Kids

As parents, we encourage our kids to do their best in the classroom, on stage, on the ball field. We want them to be well rounded and try new activities, so we tend to push our kids. Some amount of pushing can help a child develop grit and perseverance. According to child psychologists with Child […]

WRITTEN BY: Shannon Carter, Extension Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Fairfield County

REVIEWED BY: Melinda Hill, Extension Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Wayne County

PHOTO CREDITS:

  • Pixabay

SOURCES:

  • Carter, C. "Are Your Overscheduling Your Kids?" The Greater Good Science Center, Berkeley University. Accessed May 2017. http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/
  • Martinelli, K. When to Push Your Children: And how to know if you're pushing too hard. Child Mind Institute. Accessed May 2017. https://childmind.org
  • “Signs Your Kids May be Too Busy.” Live Well with UnityPoint Health. Accessed May 2017. https://www.unitypoint.org

Is Your Stuff Creating Stress?

I have a confession to make.  I keep a lot of stuff – things that may come in handy “someday.”  But in truth, the majority of my possessions are rarely, if ever, used.  And I’m not alone.  Americans like to shop for, receive, own, collect, display, and store things.  And when we tire of the […]

WRITTEN BY: Kathy Michelich, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Warren County, Ohio

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

SOURCES:

  • Ohio Self-Storage Association
  • “A Cluttered Life: Middle-Class Abundance” online viewing web series at http://www.uctv.tv/clutter or http://www.youtube.com/uctvprime
  • “Life at Home in the Twenty-First Century: 32 Families Open Their Doors,” by Jeanne E. Arnold, Anthony Graesch, Enzo Ragazzini, and Elinor Ochs.

Experiencing Holiday Joy Even When Grieving

Holiday time can be difficult for someone who has lost a loved one, lost a job, experiencing a serious illness or went through a divorce.  The first Holiday season can be especially difficult.  As I remember the first year after my husband died, I just wanted to cancel the Holidays.  My children and I tried […]

WRITTEN BY: Pat Brinkman

REVIEWED BY: Tammy Jones

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