Extension Rural Health & Nutrition

Sleep and Recovery to Support Physical Activity

Quality sleep gives your body the time it needs to recover, restore energy, and prepare for your next day of physical activity. Image Credit: Canva Quality sleep is essential for good health, yet many adults do not get enough of it. Sleep is much more than a time to rest. It is when the body […]

Sleep, Recovery, and Physical Activity: Understanding the Science Behind Rest and Performance

During sleep, the body repairs muscle tissue, regulates hormones, and restores energy, making adequate sleep an essential part of recovery and overall health. Image Credit: Canva Why Sleep Matters Sleep is an essential biological process that supports physical, mental, and emotional health. Although sleep is often viewed as a period of rest, the body remains […]

Understanding and Addressing Sickness Absence in the Workplace

Figure 1 Clemson University FMLA manual

Sickness absence remains one of the most significant contributors to economic and social challenges, directly impacting daily workplace operations and overall organizational effectiveness. In 2003, reports indicated that over 176 million working days were lost due to sickness absence. Today, that figure has risen dramatically, with billions of workdays lost annually due to illnesses. What […]

How Caring for Plants Can Improve Your Well-Being

A toddler holding a bucket of flowers in the sun.

Gardening and caring for plants is much more than a hobby. While there are many well-known health benefits of having plants in and around your home, including the physical activity involved in gardening and nutritional value of consuming produce harvested from the garden, there are many other ways tending to plants can support our overall […]

Maternal Mental Health and Breastfeeding: Common Perinatal Mental Health Disorders (PART 2)

Maternal mental health is a nuanced topic involving many diverse factors which shapes different outcomes from woman to woman. Women with maternal mental health concerns should practice gentle care with themselves to support themselves and their babies. Image Credit: RHN Team Picture Bank Introduction Part one of this maternal mental health series introduced the perinatal mental […]

Stress and the Autonomic Nervous System

Everyone experiences periods of stress throughout their life. When stress levels remain high, they can cause elevated blood pressure and increased glucose (blood sugar) levels, both of which are risk factors for chronic conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Stress can also lead to unhealthy coping behaviors, including overeating and excessive alcohol consumption, which further […]

Reasonable Accommodations for Individuals with Chronic Health Conditions

Chronic Health Conditions and Disability Chronic health conditions, such as cancer, arthritis, and diabetes, tend to develop gradually and worsen over time. When chronic health conditions transition from an asymptomatic to a symptomatic stage, they can contribute to the onset of disability. Diabetes, for example, is a condition in which the body either does not […]

The Health Benefits of Nature

The world is filled with nature. Natural environments, ranging from forests and coastal areas to community parks, gardens, and even indoor spaces with plants, are an integral part of daily life. Beyond their aesthetic value, these environments are increasingly recognized as contributors to human health and wellbeing. Overview of Nature and Health A growing body […]

New Year, Less Stress: Diabetes and Caregiving

The New Year can bring new challenges for caregivers. Caregivers balancing a diabetes diagnosis and caregiver responsibilities should be mindful of limiting high-stress situations. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people living with diabetes are twice as likely to experience depression or other mental health challenges compared to those at a […]

Taking Care of Yourself: Preventing Caregiver Burnout

Caregiving is one of the hardest and most meaningful things you can do. Whether it is an aging parent, a partner, or a friend, stepping into that role changes your life. It can bring closeness and purpose, but it also comes with long hours, constant worry, and stress that wears on you over time. That […]