March 25, 2013 by bethstefura
Spring has arrived according to the calendar! We hope Mother Nature receives the message soon! Spring is a time of renewal, warmer weather and baseball season. It’s a great opportunity to make our homes clean, organized, efficient, healthier, and safer. The following spring cleaning tips help us achieve these goals:
• Dust it all. Clean or replace air conditioning and heating filters; clean all ducts and vents to decrease exposure to airborne allergens.
• Clean all mold and mildew from bathrooms and other damp areas.
• Organize the medicine cabinet. Discard expired and old prescription medications no longer in use. Don’t flush medications as they may get into the water supply. Contact your local pharmacist for the best way to dispose of old medications.
• Check the basement and garage for old cans of paint, thinners, oil, solvents, stains and other toxic products. Contact your local sanitation department to locate the hazardous drop-off centers. Get rid of anything you are not planning to use.
• Check around the house and under sinks for other toxic cleaning products and dispose of them properly.
• Have your chimney professionally cleaned to reduce the chances of carbon monoxide exposure from the chimney.
• Inspect floor rugs for non-skid surfaces. Worn non-skid rugs or mats increase the risk of falls in your home.
• Change the batteries in the smoke detector and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Collect old batteries throughout the house for disposal in a battery or hazardous water center.
Open your windows, get some fresh air, take a walk and enjoy the blooming of spring flowers!
Resources: WebMD, http://www.webmd.com
Author: Beth Stefura M Ed, RD, LD, Family & Consumer Science, Ohio State University Extension, Mahoning County, [email protected]
Reviewer: Liz Smith, M.S, RDN., L.D, NE Regional Program Specialist, SNAP-ED
July 23, 2025
Our Epidemic of Loneliness | Live Healthy Live Well
maximios Blog
January 23, 2025 by Shannon Carter
Social connection is vital to human existence, but we have become more isolated over time. In fact, loneliness and isolation, which threaten our health and well-being, have become a major U.S. health concern, according to an advisory from the Surgeon General.
Over the past few decades, U.S. social trends indicate that companionship and engagement with friends and family have declined while isolation has increased. Trust in institutions and in others, an indicator for social connectedness, is reported to be on the decline in our country.
Approximately half of U.S. adults report experiencing loneliness. Loneliness affects people from all age groups, socioeconomic conditions, and geographies. Possible causes for the downward trends in social connection include decreasing social participation, demographics, reduced community involvement, and use of technology.
In May 2023 a press release announced a new U.S. Department of Health and Human Services initiative, the Commission on Social Connection, focusing on the importance of social activities to our health and well-being. Social connection reduces the risk of premature mortality. It can predict better physical and mental health outcomes and ease stress. Higher levels of connection can even impact educational and economic achievement.
The U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, is challenging us to take the “5-for-5 Connection Challenge” to build and strengthen relationships and inspire others to incorporate connection in their daily lives! Here are the steps:
Step 1: Commit to connect
Pick 5 actions and 5 days in a row to connect with people in your life.
Step 2: Connect each day for 5 days
Each day, take 1 simple action of your choice to express gratitude, offer support, or ask for help. For more ideas, see the card deck.
Step 3: Reflect and share.
Take a moment. How did connecting make you feel?
Let your loved ones know about your experience and invite them to join in! Use #MadeToConnect on social media and share this link.
You can share your stories by emailing [email protected] to inspire more connection.
Together, we can foster social connection and improve our nation’s public health. Improving social connection requires that each of us commit to our relationships and communities. Our actions today can create sustainable positive changes to society and improve health for everyone.
Writer: Shannon Carter, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Fairfield County
Reviewer: Erin Ruggiero, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Medina County
Sources:
Knoepflmacher, D. America’s Loneliness Epidemic: What Is to Be Done? Weill Cornell Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, 2024.
Office of the Surgeon General (OSG). Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community [Internet]. Washington (DC): US Department of Health and Human Services; 2023. PMID: 37792968.