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 […]

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 […]

Take a Walk in the Pee Dee: Easy Ways to Stay Active Close to Home

A beautiful walking trail located in Williamson Park in Darlington, South Carolina. Photo Credit: RHN Team Picture Bank  Why We Should Walk   Staying active can look different for everyone, and for many people, walking is one simple and accessible option. In the Pee Dee Region of South Carolina, a broad area in the northeastern part of the state that includes multiple counties, […]

Exercise for Persons with Low Mobility

Yoga is an accessible form of balance and flexibility training that can be performed standing, seated in a chair, or on the ground. Image Credit: RHN Team Picture Bank Physical activity is an essential part of maintaining health, independence, and quality of life, but for individuals with low mobility, traditional exercise advice can often feel […]

Walking for Wellness

Walking is an effective activity for improving overall health. Even modest increases in daily steps can provide significant physical and mental health benefits. Image Credit: RHN Team Picture Bank Walking Overview Walking is a simple, free, and safe activity that most people can realistically do. It requires no fitness equipment beyond a comfortable pair of […]

Strength Training

Strength training is not limited to lifting weights. There are many ways to apply resistance against your muscles, including using bodyweight and other types of fitness equipment such as bands, kettlebells, and medicine balls. Working against your own bodyweight is a great strength training option for beginners or those who have not been physically active […]

Nutrition to Support Physical Activity

The way you eat affects how your body feels during physical activity, how well you recover afterwards, and how your body adapts over time. Image Credit: RHN Team Picture Bank Why is Nutrition Important? Nutrition plays a crucial role in supporting physical activity by providing the necessary energy and nutrients for muscle repair, growth, and […]

Fueling Your Body for Physical Activity

Fruit (carbohydrates) with yogurt (protein and carbohydrates) is a great snack choice to support energy levels before physical activity. Image Credit: RHN Team Picture Bank When people begin increasing their physical activity, whether through walking more regularly, participating in group fitness classes, or squeezing movement breaks into their day, questions about nutrition often follow. “What […]

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 […]