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Wellness Wake Up Call

Wellness Wake Up Call
Author: Kristin Bogdonas
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Nutrition and wellness educator Kristin Bogdonas of University of Illinois Extension provides timely news, information, ideas to promote healthy living in the Quad Cities and beyond.Wellness Wake Up Call is produced by WVIK in partnership with University of Illinois Extension.
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Healthy habits often start in childhood and can last a lifetime, but if you didn’t develop these habits as a child, don’t worry—you can start at any age!
Food is more than just fuel; it’s a reflection of our history, traditions, and relationships. The theme of this year’s National Nutrition Month highlights the powerful role food plays in connecting cultures and people around the world.
RDNs are food and nutrition experts who can guide you in creating personalized meal plans, managing dietary restrictions, and building sustainable, healthy eating habits. Connecting with an RDN doesn’t have to be complicated!
Exploring where your food comes from can help you make healthier and more sustainable food choices. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
Stress is a part of everyday life and how you respond to stress can wreak havoc on your health - especially your heart health.
This month, we have been talking about heart health. Did you know people with diabetes are twice as likely to develop heart disease compared to those without diabetes? In fact, the longer someone has diabetes, the higher their risk of developing heart disease.
Kindness is more than a simple act—it’s a heart-healthy habit. A study in the Journal of Social Psychology found that performing acts of kindness for seven days significantly boosted happiness. Whether it’s being kind to yourself, a friend, or a stranger—or simply witnessing kindness—these actions elevate mood and create a ripple effect of positivity.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US, and many people don’t know they have it! February is American Heart Month, and following a heart healthy diet can help manage or prevent heart disease.
Prioritizing self-care and assessing your needs is vital for a healthy winter season. Build your winter wellness arsenal with these 10 tips!
Thriving in 2025 requires balance in physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Here are practical tips to help you flourish:
Are you getting 150 minutes of physical activity each week? This recommendation may seem impossible during the winter months so here are a few helpful tips to maximize your time during Family Fit Month this January.
Falls are the leading cause of injury among adults 65 years and older and account for 95% of the 300,000 hip fractures in the United States annually.
Winter is here, which means it’s cold and flu season again. The flu and many colds are caused by viruses, which cannot be treated with antibiotics, since those kill bacterial infections. However, preventing a cold and getting rid of the symptoms may be high priority. Here is how our diet plays a role with illnesses:
Trying to stay active during the holidays can feel like another item on a to-do list, so let’s talk about ways to make being active fun and a natural part of your daily routine!
Follow some simple guidelines for a food safe holiday season. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the CDC, estimates that each year, 48 million people in the United States get sick from foodborne illnesses. Following four simple steps at home can help protect you and your loved ones from food poisoning.
We can also consider the types of gifts we give during the holiday season. Inspiring healthy resolutions through holiday gift-giving is a thoughtful way to encourage loved ones to prioritize their well-being in the coming year. Here are some creative ideas to inspire positive change:
Keep in mind, Thanksgiving is the #1 food waste holiday so make a plan now for all of your leftovers so they don’t end up in the trash. Good food should feed people, not landfills.
Every November the American Diabetes Association celebrates National Diabetes Month.
November is Eat Smart Month, an American Heart Association campaign encouraging Americans to make small, sustainable changes to live healthier lives.
The fall season is the perfect time to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. As nature slows down and transitions, it invites us to reflect on the beauty of change and the importance of appreciating life’s simple gifts.
Our brain needs sugar, also called carbohydrates, to survive, but too much can have adverse effects on our overall health, including our teeth.
Today, we are talking about the health benefits of chocolate. It all starts with the cacao bean which is a powerhouse of nutrition.
October is Eczema Awareness Month and over 16 million adults and 8 million children in the U.S. have eczema in some form.
October is National Vegetarian Awareness Month. First created by the North American Vegetarian Society in 1977, its goal was to raise awareness about a vegetarian lifestyle, including the environmental, ethical, health, and humanitarian aspects.
Do you know the warning signs of suicide and where to go for help? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the 11th leading cause of death among Americans and is preventable.
Considering the eight dimensions of wellness—emotional, environmental, financial, intellectual, occupational, physical, social, and spiritual—can provide a holistic approach to maintaining balance and well-being during this busy time.
Here are 5 healthy behaviors to help with healthy aging
Here are 7 tips to build a better breakfast.
August is National Breastfeeding Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the incredible benefits of breastfeeding for both babies and mothers.
Sliced carrots and bell peppers are delicious sides and easy dippers for low-fat ranch or hummus, and they are great for eye health which is our topic this week.
This week, we are talking about packing healthy school lunches and snacks. According to the National School Lunch Program, about 60% of students eat school lunch. The other 40% bring lunch to school. Lunch is an important part of the day.
The first full week of August is National Farmers Market Week. It began in 1999 to celebrate the impact local farmers markets have in America’s food supply.
One challenging task while traveling is eating healthy on the road. Here are four ways to snack well during all your summer adventures:
With the summer heat, you can become dehydrated fast. The type and severity of your dehydration will determine your treatment needs and which drink option is best.
Welcome to July, one of our hottest summertime months. This week, we are talking about hydration and how to beat the heat, as well as signs of dehydration.
Summer is a great time to focus on self-care, as the warm weather and longer days provide more opportunities for relaxation and activities you enjoy. Here are five things you can do for summer self-care
Did you know June is fresh fruit and vegetable month? We shed light on this topic because despite the positive health benefits of eating these foods, few adults meet the recommendations.
Do you find yourself forgetting a word or your keys? Don’t fret, some memory lapses are signs of normal aging. But, to help you remember better, we have new research available that has found a way to sharpen brain health.
In June, Men’s Health Month is celebrated across the United States. The goal throughout the month is to bring awareness to men's health issues.
This is your Wellness Wake Up Call for the week of June 3rd
Gardening season is in full swing! If you are new to gardening, try your hand at growing herbs. Culinary herbs are a favorite of many gardeners. They are easy to grow as they require little care and have few insect and disease problems.
Half of Americans have high blood pressure, and many don’t know they have it. However, it’s important to know your numbers since heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.
April showers bring May flowers. Enjoy the month of May as we emerge from winter and primarily indoor activity, to the outdoors. Step into Spring with some new ideas for physical activity.
May is Osteoporosis Awareness Month, a time dedicated to shedding light on a condition that silently affects millions worldwide.
In this month's episode of Wellness Wake Up Call, Kristen Bogdonas sheds light on the issue of food waste and the importance of addressing it during Food Waste Prevention Week.
In this episode, we explore the three pillars of holistic well-being - physical, mental/emotional, and community engagement - and how they contribute to living well.
February is not just a month for roses and chocolates; it's also Heart Health Month—a time to prioritize and nurture the very organ that keeps us ticking.
In this episode, host Kristin Bogdonas delves into the important topic of maintaining healthy habits throughout the year.
Building a winter wellness arsenal involves preparing yourself physically and mentally to navigate the challenges of the colder months. Here are 12 tips to help you create a comprehensive winter wellness plan:
In this episode of the Wellness Wake Up Call, hosted by Kristin Bogdonis, a nutrition and wellness educator for University of Illinois Extension, we dive into the importance of National Diabetes Month, which takes place in November. With an alarming 37 million Americans living with diabetes, it is crucial to raise awareness and understanding of this widespread disease. Shockingly, 20% of those affected are completely unaware of their condition. In the Quad Cities area alone, 13% of adults have diabetes, and an additional 11% have been informed that they have prediabetes or borderline diabetes.Bogdonis sheds light on the fact that prediabetes can go unnoticed for years, without showing any symptoms. To tackle this issue head-on, she advises individuals with a family history of diabetes, those aged 45 or older, individuals who are overweight, or those who have had gestational diabetes, to consult with their doctors and get their blood sugar tested. By determining elevated blood glucose levels, one can take the necessary steps to make lifestyle changes that can prevent or delay the progression of the disease. Shockingly, if left untreated, many people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within a decade.Apart from the risk of developing diabetes, both diabetes and prediabetes increase the likelihood of heart disease and stroke. Bogdonis emphasizes the importance of taking control of one's health through exercise and dietary modifications to prevent complications and…
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