Extension Rural Health & Nutrition

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 […]

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 […]

Fit and Busy

Staying Active with a Packed Schedule It is easy to feel overwhelmed when we have a hectic schedule. However, making time for physical activity is easier than it may seem. There are many ways to be active and incorporate healthy movement in your day that do not involve much time but will still have a […]

Busy Body, Healthy Plate: Balancing Nutrition in a Fast-Paced World

Busy lives often result in less attention to balanced nutrition. However, there are many small changes that you can implement to make meeting your nutrition goals possible. The USDA gives some basic guidelines and encourages eating nutrient-dense foods across all food groups. A healthy diet includes vegetables, fruits, dairy, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy […]