The Science of Happiness
Sound Living
Multiple studies suggest there is a science to happiness. Participants in this year’s Walk Kansas, an annual eight-week challenge that encourages people to exercise and live more healthfully while working toward a common goal, had access to a webinar that focused on the benefits of being happy. Michelle Lane, the senior director of community wellness and corporate health at North Kansas City Hospital, has found more than 30 studies that found that happiness actually adds several years to your life. Sound Living is a weekly public affairs program addressing issues related to families and...
info_outline
Is Your Skin Protected from the Sun's Harmful Rays
Sound Living
Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers – and it’s been on the rise over the past few years. According to the American Cancer Society, more than five million skin cancers are diagnosed each year in the United States – that’s more than all other cancers combined. K-State Extension Northwest Regional Specialist for family and consumer sciences, Ashley Svaty (swat-ee), discusses how we can protect ourselves outdoors, including applying and reapplying sunscreen, looking for shade and wearing sun-protective clothing. Sound Living is a weekly public affairs program addressing issues...
info_outline
Outdoor Learning Can Be Simple for Kids
Sound Living
The arrival of warmer weather is an opportunity for parents to spend more time outdoors with their children. K-State Research and Extension child development specialist Bradford Wiles says there’s just all kinds of really cool activities and opportunities to support our children’s development in a conscientious and forward-thinking way. He discusses ways outdoor learning can be fun and simple, how learning about nature can impact a child’s view of nature, and why it’s important for them to help protect the environment for future generations. Sound Living is a weekly public affairs...
info_outline
The Effects of Extreme Heat
Sound Living
Extreme heat often results in the highest annual number of deaths among all weather-related disasters. In most of the U.S., extreme heat is a period of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees – and it’s becoming more of a health risk. Elaine Johannes, the Kansas Health Foundation’s Distinguished Professor of Community Health at Kansas State University, explains what occurs during extreme heat events and what we can do to stay safe. Sound Living is a weekly public affairs program addressing issues related to families and consumers. It is hosted by Jeff Wichman. Each...
info_outline
Saving Money and Protecting Planet Earth
Sound Living
Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22nd to raise awareness and support for environmental protection. The first Earth Day was held in 1970, and it’s now observed by millions of people in over 190 countries around the world. Kansas State University family resource management specialist Elizabeth KIss (kish) says it’s also an opportunity to make changes that are not only good for the environment but also the family’s budget. She says many family expenses – especially those in our primary spending categories – has some relationship to how we might affect Planet Earth. Sound...
info_outline
Walk Kansas 2024: Shifting Habits
Sound Living
Developing positive lifestyle habits, such as exercising regularly and eating healthful foods, often require just a little nudge – not a lot of effort or willpower. Walk Kansas 2024 is focusing on how simple shifts can help positive habits stick. State leader for Walk Kansas and the K-State Research and Extension family and consumer science specialist for northeast Kansas, Sharolyn Jackson, is aware of the science behind shifting habits. She says there are things we can weave into our day and link to things we already do to make tiny habit shifts that eventually become habits. Sound Living...
info_outline
What is Too Much Screen Time Costing You?
Sound Living
TV, smartphones and tablets are part of our culture. That doesn’t mean we should spend every waking minute staring at a screen. In fact, research shows both adults and children benefit from limiting screen time to just a few hours a day. K-State Research and Extension child development specialist Bradford Wiles says not establishing rules for screen use or having screen-free zones in the home comes at what he calls an “opportunity cost” – the things we miss out on by watching our screens instead of engaging in activities with our children and family. Sound Living is a weekly public...
info_outline
No More Excuses: Schedule Your Annual Wellness Exam
Sound Living
According to the National Institutes of Health, even if you feel fine, you should still see your health provider for regular checkups because these annual wellness exams can help you avoid problems in the future. For example, the only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to have it checked regularly, and regular blood tests can check for high blood sugar and high cholesterol which may not have any symptoms in the early stages. The Kanas Health Foundation’s Distinguished Professor of Community Health, Elaine Johannes, says we should stop making excuses for skipping our annual...
info_outline
National Nutrition Month: Eating a Variety of Foods
Sound Living
MyPlate, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s dietary guidelines for daily health, recommends one-half of your plate at any meal should include fruits and vegetables; one-quarter each for grains and proteins, and one serving of dairy. March is National Nutrition Month and K-State Research and Extension nutrition and wellness educator, Priscilla Brenes, says the month should help Americans focus attention on the importance of making informed choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. She stresses that we need to be mindful that we’re making the healthy choice the easy...
info_outline
Are You Prepared for Severe Weather Events?
Sound Living
Kansas experiences a variety of spring and summertime severe weather events, including tornadoes, damaging winds, large hail, lightning and flash flooding. Severe Weather Preparedness Week is March 4-8. Kansas State University climatologist and manager of Mesonet, a network of environmental monitoring stations across the state, Chip Redmond, suggests using that week to review and practice your severe weather plan so everyone knows exactly what to do during severe weather events. Sound Living is a weekly public affairs program addressing issues related to families and consumers. It is hosted...
info_outlineHigh blood pressure – also known as hypertension – is often referred to as the “silent killer” because it may show no symptoms until there are greater problems. The Kansas Health Foundation’s Distinguished Professor of Community Health at Kansas State University, Elaine Johannes, says Extension agents are being trained as Healthy Heart Ambassadors to check blood pressure and coach community members on how to take their blood pressure and manage it using good practices that are fairly easy to do. This includes exercising regularly, eating a heart healthy diet, reducing sodium, limiting alcohol and getting a good night’s sleep.
Sound Living is a weekly public affairs program addressing issues related to families and consumers. It is hosted by Jeff Wichman. Each episode shares the expertise of K-State specialists in fields such as child nutrition, food safety, adult development and aging, youth development, family resource management, physical fitness and more.
Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to [email protected].
K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan.