Health and Human Services Professional Development

Can Physical Health Impact Happiness? YOU BETHCA!! by   Mikki Sherwood   on   March 2, 2014   The body’s natural desire is to be healthy, says Dean Ornish in this Ted Talks video,  “Healing Through Diet,”  Dr. Ornish states that optimal health, and therefore happiness, occurs when you follow a lifestyle that includes a low-fat and plant-based diet, stress management training, moderate exercise, no smoking or drinking alcohol, and the psychological support of peers. Dr. Ornish also states that it is important to be aware of behaviors that can have a negative impact on health later in life. For example, it is important to eat a well-balanced, low-fat diet consisting of all the main food groups: dairy, protein, grains, fruits, and vegetables. It is also important to stay in shape by exercising on a regular basis. On the other hand, drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes can negatively impact health.  Dr. Ornish states that it is relatively easy to...

WHAT IS GERONTOLOGY? Many Human Service Program Administration programs offer or are affiliated with gerontology undergraduate degrees or minors and or graduate degrees in gerontology. Gerontologists can be found across disciplines (e.g., social work, nursing, medicine, optometry). Students who are gerontology majors learn about physical, cognitive, and social changes in individuals as they age, as well as the influence of environment, culture, social policies, and public policies on aging. Issues that students in gerontology may study include, but are not limited to: Age-related illnesses Ageism Death and dying WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH A GERONTOLOGY DEGREE? Jobs that one can get with a degree in gerontology (some may require Master’s Degrees in Gerontology or related field) include, but are not limited to:Gerontological or geriatric social worker Senior services assessment specialist Home health aide Nursing home administrator Manager of public/private residential community...

Don’t Deprive…Eat for Your Body and THRIVE! by   Guest Author, Jennifer Ashley   on   July 22, 2014   We are constantly bombarded with messages about our weight.  We are told that thinness equals beauty and that being fat is a bad, shameful thing.  We receive conflicting information about the best ways to maintain a healthy body, and fad crash diets are regularly promoted in the media.  It’s no wonder that many of us are at a loss when it comes to figuring out the best way to eat for our bodies.  Most people who seek to lose weight view it as a task that requires depriving themselves and severely restricting calories. However, university researchers recently examined another way of eating called “intuitive eating.”  With this method, people are encouraged to eat based on principles such as: Eat whatever you want.  Don’t deny yourself a particular food. Eat based on physical hunger, rather than on emotions like sadness or bored...

You had me at…,”Would you like some water?” by   Guest Author, Sylvia Crowder   on   July 29, 2014   It is a challenge to stay properly hydrated, especially during summer.  Hydration status is essential in improving one’s overall health and well-being and plays a vital role in both physical and cognitive functioning.  Water plays numerous roles in the body (e.g. regulating body temperature, controlling blood pressure, and transporting nutrients) making daily consumption essential. Even a mild dehydration can affect one’s mental and physical performance.  Here are some points to remember when you are in the heat: Prevent dehydration.  Anyone can become dehydrated.  You may be especially at risk if you engage in physical activity, travel often, or lack appropriate beverages.  Carry a refillable water bottle  as a reminder to drink eight glasses daily.  Do not forget that fluid requirements increase as higher intensity e...

Family Matters: How Family Meal Patterns Create LifeLong Habits by   Mikki Sherwood   on   September 15, 2014 ********************Melissa Crone, guest author As we grow out of adolescence many of the eating habits that were instilled in our childhood impact the choices we make as adults. These choices can define the quality of our lives.  For example, we have all heard of the health benefits of eating breakfast. Did you eat breakfast every day as a child? If you did, you are more likely to continue that trend even when you are responsible for waking yourself up, preparing the food, and cleaning up the mess. On the other hand, if most of your childhood meals were on the go, you are likely to repeat the pattern as an adult, grabbing food with little thought to the nutritional value. What does this mean? It means you are likely fall into patterns of eating behavior that match what you saw in your childhood home. If you did not eat meals as a family, sit and ...

There’s an App for That! Using MyPlate Text Messaging! by   Kristen Davis, Guest Author   on   September 21, 2014   We all know that making good food choices during college can be difficult. You are busy attending classes, working, completing homework or hanging out with friends. Before you know it you have put on a little weight. However, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is working on tools to help you make better food choices and help reduce the weight gain commonly seen during the college years.   MyPlate   is developing a free service that allows you to receive texts that provide helpful dietary information: Food group recognition.  The text messages can help you remember to balance your plate with fruits, vegetables, protein, whole grains and dairy. Balanced food intake.  Texts can provide information regarding the number of calories needed to maintain a healthy weight given your physical and social characteristics. Portion control...

Dump My Caffeine Habit…NOOOO (Really, I don’t have to?) by   Melissa Crone, Guest Author   on   September 21, 2014 It is well documented that caffeine is a stimulant, meaning that it can increase alertness. In fact, we all know that too much caffeine can disrupt sleep patterns, causing a myriad of health issues. But, do you need to cut out caffeine completely in order to get a good night’s sleep? Researchers have discovered that the amount of caffeine you drink does impact sleep, but that does not necessarily mean to cut out caffeine entirely.  Early ingestion of a caffeinated drink is fine, just taper off your caffeine use throughout the day. You can still have your coffee in the morning, but reducing caffeine throughout the day can help you fall asleep faster and for longer periods of time. References Burgess-Champoux, T. L., Larson, N., Neumark-Sztainer, D., Hannan, P. J., & Story, M. (2009). Are family meal patterns associated with overall diet q...

Food and Mood: Evidence for Diet-Related Changes in Mental Health by   Jenna Carlson, Guest Author   on   September 27, 2014   Do you ever feel down in the dumps some days and cheery other days? It may be because there is a connection between diet and mental health. The food you eat plays an important role in every stage of your life. Your brain is sensitive to the foods that you eat, and to remain healthy your body needs nutrients like grains, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and water. Foods that contain grains, specifically whole-grains like bread can help to stabilize mood and provide energy. Likewise, foods that contain omega-3 fats like fish can help to boost your mood and performance. Foods high in protein like peanut butter help to your brighten mood, and aid in sleep. Also, foods which are high in vitamins, like vitamin B can be found in cheese, which play a role in your concentration and energy. Foods that contain minerals, like iron, which can be ...

Constructing Food Choice Decisions by   Jenna Carlson, Guest Author   on   September 27, 2014   Have you ever thought about how many food choices you have to make in a day? Eating is something that is required for survival and health, and is an activity that is repeated when making food choice decisions. Each time you eat it requires decisions including: what, when, with whom, how long, how, and how much to eat. It is estimated that most people make over 220 food decisions a day (Sobal & Bisogni, 2009). The course of your life includes events and experiences that affect your food choices now and in the future when deciding what to eat. There are also many influences that determine your food choices such as your culture, your personal values, and your resources. The food choices you make occur frequently and are complex, due to the need for survival, and the changes that occur personally and historically, so next time you grab a bite to eat, ask yourself wha...

Working Hard or Hardly Working? by   Jinwen Ye   on   October 1, 2014   Hard work is valued in many cultures, and it often takes hard work and thoughtfulness to make sure you are productive in the various roles you serve. In the workplace, productivity is required for those that desire to keep their jobs.  For those of you that might be struggling with productivity at work (or home), here are four questions to ask yourself: 1. How’s your physical and emotional health?  Healthy people are more likely to enjoy their work and be more productive in their workplace. Adequate sleep, regular exercise, healthy diet, and positive emotions have all been linked to workplace productivity. 2. What’s your physical work environment like?  Air quality of your office, enough lighting, comfortable temperature, access to outside views and external space, and quiet working conditions are all factors of the physical work environment that have been found to impro...

Whole Fruits or Vegetables, or Juices: Which Packs the Most Punch? by   Guest Author, Jennifer Ashley   on   November 9, 2014   We all know that fruit and vegetables are the cornerstone of a healthy diet.  Government health recommendations state that most of us should be eating two cups of fruit and two and a half cups of vegetables each day.  But how many of you choose your servings of fruits and vegetables from juice drinks? While a cup of 100% juice counts as a serving the same as a cup of whole fruit or vegetables, research suggests that the juice isn’t as nutritious as its fresh counterparts. Scientists at the University of Alabama recently compared fresh fruit with 100% fruit juice to determine the amount of antioxidants each contained.  Antioxidants are a type of molecule that protect our cells from damage, and they are one of the reasons why fruit and vegetables are so healthy for our bodies.  The researchers found that a serving o...

3 Diet Resolutions for the New Year by   Natasha Chong Cole, MPH, RD   on   January 19, 2015   With the start of 2015, many of you might have made New Year’s resolutions. Many times these resolutions involve getting into shape or cleaning up your diet. Unfortunately, most steps taken to achieve these goals only work as a quick-fix but don’t provide lasting results. Here are 3 resolutions you can start this year that are more likely to help you achieve your goals in the long run. 1) Eat More Fiber According to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines, the Adequate Intake for fiber is 25 grams per day for women and 38 grams per day for men. While that number may not sound like a lot, keep in mind that this is tough task (even for dietitians!). Fiber is important for heart and digestive health, but it can also help with weight loss by helping you feel full. Here are some great resources:  7 Foods That Will Make You Poop  and  16 Great High-Fiber Foods 2) ...