Health and Wellness - Judith Basin County Extension | Montana State University

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	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	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	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

Eat Right - Make Resolutions Stick	Make this year the year for modeling healthful lifestyle and eating habits to 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	There are few things that worry a parent more than their children’s health and safety. 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	Cooking Basics: Equivalent Measures, Terms, and Substitutions
Buying Local Meat in Montana: Consumer Options	n 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. There has also been interest in local meat from commercial and institutional buyers such as distributors, schools, hospitals, food banks, and others across Montana
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

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.
Winter Safety Tips	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	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	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. This guide will discuss issues to consider if you are faced with caregiving for an aging parent.
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.