Health and Wellness
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Announcements and Upcoming Events
Physical Health
The Importance of Sleep |
Approximately 31% of Montanans report not getting enough sleep. This statistic is worrisome, since getting enough quality sleep every night helps to maintain and improve health. |
Resistance Train to Prevent Muscle Loss |
When it comes to muscle: use it, lose it or build it! |
Sleep: It's Health Benefits, How Much You Need, and Strategies to Get more (pdf) |
Sleep is essential to physical and mental health, as it helps our bodies and minds recover and rejuvenate from the stressors of everyday life. As a result, when we sleep well, research suggests that we are more energetic, happier, and able to better concentrate. Everyone, from children to adults, can benefit from getting better sleep. |
Physical Activity: Different Types, How Much is Needed and Health Benefits (pdf) |
Did you know physical activity can give immediate health benefits? Just one physical
activity session can help boost mood, reduce stress, sharpen focus and improve sleep.
In addition to the many immediate health benefits, over time, physical activity can also help people live a longer, happier, and healthier life |
Aerobic Muscle and Bone Strengthing: What Counts for School Aged Children and Adolescents? |
Children and adolescents need at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. Include activities that make their hearts beat faster, build muscles (like climbing or doing push-ups), and strengthen bones (like running or jumping). |
Prescription Opioid Use and Misuse in Montana (pdf) |
Did you know that 52% of rural Montanans over the age of 45 know someone who has misused prescription opioids to the extent that it affected their life? To help decrease the rate at which the prescription opioid crisis is affecting Montanans, learn about the facts, signs of misuse and overdose, and some ways to protect yourself, family and friends. |
| Safe Opioid Use | Prescription opioids used for pain relief are generally safe when taken for a short time and as prescribed by your health care provider. However, people who take opioids are at risk for opioid dependence, addiction, and overdose. |
Nutrition
Home Food Safety Savvy (pdf) |
People find little time to pay attention to food safety, but it is important to learn good habits in the kitchen and in food preparation hygiene. |
Eat Right - Make Resolutions Stick |
Model healthful lifestyle and eating habits for your family. Leading by example is a great way to encourage and provide family support. Here are just a few ideas to get your started. |
Keeping Infants Save During Formula Shortage |
The ongoing infant formula shortage due to supply chain issues, which worsened due to a major formula recall in February, has left many caregivers feeling concerned and anxious about their options for safely feeding their infants. |
Food Safety During a Power Outage |
Refrigerated Food and Power Outages: When to Save It and When to Throw It Out. |
Cooking Conversions (pdf) |
Cooking Basics: Equivalent Measures, Terms, and Substitutions |
Buying Local Meat in Montana: Consumer Options |
In recent years, there has been an increased interest in purchasing local meat products. Consumers seek local products at grocers, restaurants, farmer’s markets, and directly from farmers and ranchers. |
Food Preservation Safety |
Courses and resources for your home or business to help ensure food is prepared, stored, and served safely. |
Freezing Vegetables |
Freezing is a convenient method for preserving foods at home. Frozen foods will maintain most of their nutritional value and fresh flavor if frozen properly. |
Caffeine Intake: How Much to Actually Consume |
Enjoy a hot mug of coffee or caffeinated tea as part of the morning routine or as a way to help wake up and start the day? Do you continue to drink energy drinks or soda throughout the day to stay motivated and beat post-lunch sleepiness? If this sounds familiar, how much caffeine are you having, and is this something to worry about? |
Drying Fruits |
Drying food is simple, easy to learn and yields foods that are tasty and nutritious. The purpose of drying is to remove enough water from the food so that bacteria, yeast and molds cannot grow to harmful amounts, causing food poisoning and spoilage. |
Drying Vegetables |
Drying food is simple, easy to learn and yields foods that are tasty and nutritious. The purpose of drying is to remove enough water from the food so that bacteria, yeast and molds cannot grow to harmful amounts, causing food poisoning and spoilage. |
Safety
Identifying Montana Plants that Cause Skin Irritation (pdf) |
Whether in the yard, in the woods, or on the river, a run-in with an itchy plant can put a damper on the day or even the week. Read on to learn about identification of common rash-causing plants in Montana, and some best practices for avoiding contact. |
Flood Preparedness in Montana |
As spring approaches, Montanans living near waterways can take a few steps to brace themselves for flooding. It’s important to be aware of your surroundings, be self-reliant, and know when and where high-water spring flooding typically occurs. |
Disaster Preparedness Plan For You and Your Family |
Create a disaster preparedness plan for you and your family with these tools provided by the Red Cross. |
Identifying Montana Plants That Cause Skin Irritation |
Summer is the time of year when people want to enjoy the outdoors in whatever way suits them. Whether in the yard, in the woods, or on the river, a run-in with an itchy plant can put a damper on the day or even the week. Read on to learn about identification of common rash-causing plants in Montana, and some best practices for avoiding contact. |
Winter Safety Tips (pdf) |
Winter storms create a higher risk of car accidents, hypothermia, frostbite, carbon monoxide poisoning, and heart attacks from overexertion. |
Avalanche Safety |
Winter backcountry recreation is increasing here in Montana and the dangers of an avalanche affect everyone in the backcountry. This includes skiers, snowmobilers, hunters and snowshoers. |
Winter Driving Emergency Kit |
As winter approaches, drivers should equip their vehicle with an emergency kit in the event they get stuck on one of Montana’s many remote roadways. |
Gas Appliances and Your Health (pdf) |
Many Montana homes have furnaces, water heaters, clothes dryers and cook ranges/ovens that use propane or natural gas as the fuel. While these appliances are safe, these precautionary steps must be taken by the consumer to assure they remain that way throughout their life |
| Driving on Black Ice (pdf) | Black ice is a dangerous driving condition that can occur during winter driving conditions. Spotting black ice and using safe driving techniques can be helpful when black ice may be present. |
Articles and Useful Links
Caregiving: When Our Parents Need Our Help |
Most adult children do not initially see themselves as caregivers, and aging parents often do not see themselves as needing care. Often this changes gradually, starting with small acts of assistance. |
Montana Alzheimer's and Dementia |
Dementia affects all Montanans. The Montana Alzheimer's and Dementia State Plan website provides valuable resources for caregivers and loved ones of those suffering from Alzheimer's or Dementia. |
Alzheimer's and Dementia Resource Packet |
MSU Extension resources for caregivers and others concerned about memory loss. |
Visit the MSU MontGuide Page for additional resources on Health and Wellness.