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Health Blogs

Little boy playing in sand on the beach

Your guide to smart sun protection

Family Files
It’s that time of the year! Ball games, cookouts, picnics, bike riding, swimming, and all kinds of fun in the sun. However, if you find yourself and your family not properly protected and prepared, the fun soon wanes. Keep reading to learn about protecting your skin.The American Academy of...
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doctor talking to patient

When Medical Tests Spark Anxiety

Family Files
You may have heard the phrase, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Attributed to Benjamin Franklin, this saying highlights an important truth: taking small, proactive steps now can help prevent much larger challenges in the future. Prevention is often easier, less...
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Group of people smiling and posing for a picture

Celebrate Mental Health Month in May

Family Files
May is Mental Health Month, and University of Illinois Extension is joining Mental Health America (MHA) to focus on a simple, shared goal: helping people have more good days, together. MHA’s More Good Days, Together campaign is about meeting people where they are and recognizing that “good” looks...
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bulletin board with notes pinned up and one note says Make Things Happen

Establishing healthy habits

Family Files
Habits are repeated — and often subconscious — actions that are triggered in response to contextual cues. Wearing a seat belt is an example of a habit. For many people, the action of buckling a seat belt is triggered by the contextual cue of shutting the vehicle door after you get in. Research...
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child making a christmas tree shaped cookie

The power of holiday traditions and rituals

Family Files
Growing up, I had two distinctive impressions of pumpkin pie. Both of my grandmothers made homemade pies each year, but each was a different experience. One created a delectable homemade crust with a light, pumpkin filling. My grandma on the other side made a pie that was equally flavorful but...
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Parents with child looking at phone

Alternatives to screen time

Family Files
Like many things, there are positive and negative effects of screen time for all of us, and it can be hard to come up with that magic amount of time that should be spent interacting with a screen. We do know that too much time spent on screens can be detrimental to youth – they can experience sleep...
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The Benefits of Tai Chi for Older Adults

Family Files
What is tai chi? Tai chi is the practice of slow, gentle movements while having a meditative state of mind and mindful breathing. This form of exercise has been found to be a safe exercise because of the slow, gentle movements. Tai chi was originally founded in China, but you...
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