Columnists Articles - page 3

As the days grow longer and the weather warms up, summer offers a perfect opportunity to focus on your mental well-being. The season’s vibrant energy can rejuvenate your mind and body, helping you feel more positive and balanced. Here are some friendly, effective tips to enhance your mental health this summer. 1. Get outside and […]

In the quest for optimal health, many people turn to dietary supplements to bridge nutritional gaps. One supplement that has gained significant popularity is green powder supplements. Promising a convenient way to boost your intake of fruits and vegetables, these supplements are touted for their myriad health benefits. But are they really worth it? Let’s […]

May is National Foster Care Month, and approximately 391,000 kids across the country are currently in foster care, with more than 8,000 of those children in Tennessee. There is always a need for more families to provide safe, loving homes for these kids, but it can be an intimidating role to take on. We sat […]

As a child, I remember being so excited when the school year would come to an end! It was time for lazy days in the pool, visits to the lake, lots of junk food, television, and hanging out with friends. Without a care in the world, we would have a safe, and immensely innocent summer […]

As Marilyn Monroe once said, “Sex is a part of nature, and I go along with nature.” However, according to Psychology Today, sexual behavior is not necessarily natural; sex within itself is considered a learned behavior. The act alone evolves as a result of whatever sex education a person has acquired. According to Diane Gleim, […]

For decades, childcare providers, doctors, nurses, teachers and researchers have used the Adverse Childhood Experience tool to approach trauma in children and its effect on mental and physical health through adulthood. The study, completed by the Centers for Disease Control and Kaiser Permanente, is a good resource for discussing the ‘bad things’ that can happen […]

After a demanding day, there’s a familiar ritual that many of us turn to – settling down in bed or on the couch, smartphone in hand, ready to be whisked away to a world of social media, infinite scrolling, and relaxation. Or so we think! It’s a habit that seems to promise relaxation, a chance […]

The Middle Tennessee air is becoming warmer, dogwoods are blooming, and colorful, fresh produce is filling the shelves in the grocery stores. These are typically sights and smells welcome after an icy, cold winter, but a year after the traumatic mass shooting at Covenant School, these senses may serve as an unwelcome reminder of a […]

Did you know that March is celebrated as National Nutrition Month®? The observance, sponsored by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, is an annual initiative to teach optimal nutrition. The Academy, which hosts Eatright.org, has more than 110,000 members, and is the largest organization of registered dietitians, nutritionists, and nutrition and dietetics technicians in the […]

For many of us, it’s hard to recall the days before the existence of the internet, and today, multiple generations will never know a world without constant, immediate and instant updates. As our lives become more and more intertwined with the internet, it is more important than ever to know how to keep ourselves and our […]

Mentoring young people can be life-changing for both the mentor and mentee. Through Youth Villages’ Chris Crye Mentoring Program, you can be a big positive change in a child’s life and direction. Mentors provide important life skills and lessons, career advice, and fun to young people. Julie Abbott, community development manager with Youth Villages in […]

  When most think about February, the thought of Valentine’s Day often comes to mind, along with red roses, heart-shaped balloons, candy, and lots of chocolate! Though for many, and especially those who have been diagnosed with cardiac disease and/or endured heart attacks, the nation’s observance of Heart Month by the American Heart Association (AHA), […]