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27

Mar

Spring Into Action With Some Fun Outdoor Activities

 

This year, March 20 marked the first day of spring! Most can agree that the change of season brings with it an even better change: warmer weather, more sunlight and blue skies. With the weather almost seeming to be at the perfect temperature, spring is a great time to become more active outdoors. Not only will outdoor activity provide you with the exercise necessary for good health, but the nice weather and bright sun will also work as a great mood-booster.

Here are some ideas of fun outdoor activities that will keep your spirits up while staying active:

-Do you live within a safe walking-distance from your school? Instead of hitching a ride home after the school day ends, ask a friend who lives nearby if they want to walk home instead. This will not only provide you with exercise but also some quality time to catch up and talk with your friend.

-Fan of the treadmill? Provide yourself with a change of scenery and go for a run around your neighborhood instead.

-Have a dog that you love? They need exercise too! Use the nice weather to get both of you active and take them for a walk or bring them to a local dog park to play with some friends.

-Join one of your school’s outdoor sports. Most schools offer a variety of spring sports including soccer, baseball and track and field. If joining the team isn’t possible, show your school spirit by attending a game or two and cheering on your team.

-Go to the park. Bring out your inner child and take advantage of all the fun stations that the park has to offer. Challenge a friend to see how high you can swing or who could make it all the way across the monkey bars.

-Go for a hike. There are several local state parks that have safe, closed off hiking trails for visitors to enjoy. While you’re there, check out the other outdoor activities the park has to offer such as kayaking, paddleboats and canoeing.

Getting outdoors is a free and fun way to keep you active and happy. Try some of these ideas or think up your own way to get out and enjoy these beautiful spring days.

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22

Mar

March is National Nutrition Month!

 

March is National Nutrition Month. During this month, as well as every month, it’s important to make nutritious decisions that will improve your overall health and well-being.

Making better nutritional decisions doesn’t have to take a huge amount of time and effort. Little things can be changed about your daily routine that won’t seem like much work at all. One simple change that can be made is to start making breakfast in the morning a number one priority.

You have probably heard many times that breakfast is the most important meal of the day; however, many people skip it for a variety of different reasons.

Whether it is a large portioned breakfast or just something small on the go, breakfast is necessary in the morning in order to fuel you up after a long night’s rest when you aren’t consuming any type of nutrients.

The following are some benefits of a healthy morning breakfast:

-Those who eat breakfast in the morning are provided with the fuel to perform and concentrate better throughout the day. Without the nutrients that breakfast provides, you may go throughout your day feeling sluggish or unable to concentrate.

-Some people believe that skipping a meal such as breakfast will help you lose weight; however, studies have found that those who don’t eat breakfast end up consuming more food throughout the day.

-Your metabolism won’t start moving until you fuel yourself up on food. Having breakfast in the morning speeds up your metabolism, and allows you to start burning calories early on.

So what happens if you don’t have time to eat a well-balanced breakfast in the morning? Here are some ways that you can fit breakfast into your morning routine without setting aside too much time.

-Buy breakfast choices that can be eaten on the go. If you are looking for your morning cereal, many companies make small boxes that can be taken with you on the way out the door. Try switching it up for some healthier options as well, such as a cup of yogurt, granola bar or fruit, all of which can be eaten on the go.

-Prepare breakfast meals the night before. Having fruit already cut or breakfast sandwiches already prepared can cut your time in half the next morning when you are rushing out the door.

Small tweaks to your nutritional routine such as breakfast in the morning are easy ways to live a healthier and happier life. Use our tips to help make breakfast your most important meal of the day!

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26

Jan

STDs: What You Need To Know To Stay Safe

 

Several things are sure to run through your mind when making the decision to have sex. But which ones are the most important? What do you absolutely need to do before you do anything? It is important to pay close attention to one of the biggest factors: keeping yourself safe by avoiding potential risks for a sexually transmitted disease (STD).

STDs, sometimes referred to as STIs, affect more than 12 million Americans each year. STDs can be transmitted through any type of sexual contact and it is important to understand your risks to keep yourself safe from infection. Here are some useful tips to keep in mind when choosing to be sexually active:

-Communicate: It is important to be able to openly discuss potential sexual health risks with your partner. Having an open line of communication builds trust and allows you to learn about your partner’s sexual past, addressing anything that may be an issue when becoming sexually active.

-Get Tested: Several STDs have no noticeable symptoms, so it is easy to assume you are STD-free when you aren’t. The only sure way to find out is to get tested. If you or your partner feel uncomfortable getting tested, go together. This ensures that you are both safe and may give each other some comfort in knowing that you are not alone.

-Practice Safe Sex: Not only is it important to use a condom every time you are sexually active, it is also important to make sure it is used correctly. When used incorrectly, a condom can put you at risk for STDs, so make sure you or your partner are aware of its correct use.

-Avoid Being Sexually Active when Drugs/Alcohol are a Factor: When at a party, you’re bound to have a lot of influence around you. It is hard, if not impossible, to make smart decisions when choosing to be sexually active under the influence. Avoid potential risks to your sexual health by making these decisions with a clear head rather than in the moment.

-Always be Prepared: When heading out, it is always important to prepare yourself for potential sexual activity. Although a female may expect a male to worry about the protection, it’s important for both genders to take caution. Being prepared for any possible situation will help you keep the status of your sexual health in your own hands.

The decision to have sex is an important one, but even more important is the decision to stay safe. Keep these tips in mind to ensure you stay in good sexual health when being sexually active.

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18

Jan

Giving Back – Teens & Volunteering

 

Why volunteer? Maybe you’re already busy with after school activities or a part time job, or maybe you’ve got time to kill and want to try something new. You’ve probably heard teachers and other adults say volunteering looks good when you apply for college, or just that it’s something that everyone should do. Whatever the reason, it’s a great idea to take some time to volunteer in your community. Here’s why:

  • To Help Others – We’ve all had times in our lives when we needed a little extra help. What would you have done if there wasn’t anyone there to help you when you needed it? It feels good to know you are improving someone’s life, even just a little.
  • To Learn New Skills – Maybe you’ve always wanted to know more about cooking, or you’d like to try building something. Volunteering can give you a chance to learn all kinds of new skills that can help you as you get older and start looking for a job.
  • To Gain A New Perspective On Life – There are many different types of people and places out there in the world. Most teens and young adults haven’t had too much chance to meet people from different backgrounds and cultures, so volunteering is a great way to learn new things and see the world from someone else’s view.
  • To Meet New People And Have Fun – Yes, volunteering can be fun! Look for a project that matches your interests. Talk with the other volunteers and even mundane tasks can become fun. Volunteering is a chance to make new, lifelong friends.

No matter what your reasons, you can get a lot out of volunteering. You can learn about yourself, learn about others, and meet interesting people. You can help others as you help yourself.

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12

Jan

Playing It Safe On The Road: Bad Weather Driving Tips

 

As the winter season approaches and temperatures drop, safe driving becomes a top priority, as motorists take precaution against unexpected road conditions. Ice and snow covered roads become more common and snow or rain storms may pop up unexpectedly during a long drive. Keeping your safety in mind, here are a few tips on how to be a safe driver during bad weather:

  • Keep a slow and steady speed and allow yourself plenty of room to stop. It is recommended that you allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you; this way, if you have to stop suddenly you can avoid any accidents.
  • When the roads seem slick, break gently rather than pressing down once on your breaks. To slow yourself down to a full stop, tap on your breaks numerous times until you come to a full stop. This warns other drivers that you are taking precaution and also prevents you from skidding on slippery roads.
  • Be cautious of black ice, which is a thin, nearly invisible coating of ice that can form on the pavement. Just because the road doesn’t look slippery doesn’t mean it isn’t.
  • Even if it is daytime, turn on your lights. This increases visibility for yourself and other drivers and could help you see any upcoming dangers in the road.
  • Keep distractions at a minimum. With today’s smartphones, it’s easy to pass the time at a red light by texting or using an application. No matter if your car is stopped or not, you should always be paying attention to the road around you. Even when stopped, bad weather conditions may cause another car to skid, and you should be prepared to avoid a collision at all times.
  • Always be prepared! Get clear directions to your destination and make sure that you have enough gas to get there. Running out of gas while driving in a storm can cause your car to stall which is potential for a crash or can leave you stranded during dangerous weather. Also, keep winter weather tools in your trunk such as an ice scraper and always keep your windshield wipers in good shape, making sure your car is filled up on wiper fluid and that the blades wipe away as they should.

As we know, you can’t predict the weather and storms can really put a damper on your driving route. Keeping these driving tips in mind will help make sure that you arrive at your destination safe and sound.

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