Health is a lot more than how one looks and feels. Conversations about health should include all eight wellness dimensions— mental, social, emotional, spiritual, financial, occupational, environmental, and intellectual. That’s the focus of Living Well Month, a national event in March promoting overall wellness and the education provided by Family and Consumer Sciences professionals to improve the lives of people, families, and communities. Whether you are trying to improve your health through meal planning and exercise, make decisions about health care and insurance, or get tips on effective parenting techniques, Extension FCS has a research-based answer.

To make every month a “Living Well Month,” consider these tips:

1. Encourage movement at a young age. Engage children in at least 60 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week. Play sports or recreational games, turn on some music and dance, hula hoop, or make an obstacle course. Take a walk or a bike ride in your neighborhood. All movement counts.

2. Rethink your drink. The average adult human body is approximately 60 percent water. Water regulates every living cell’s process and chemical reactions. It transports nutrients and oxygen while allowing for bodily functions to stay in order. Reduce the amount of added sugar-sweetened beverages soda and fruit drinks consumed daily.

3. Add a color.  Eat colorful fruits and vegetables every day. Most people need to increase their fruit and vegetable intake. Make a weekly challenge to find a way to add another vegetable or fruit to your regular recipes.

4. Read, read, read. Go to the library and check out books. Keep the mental stimulation flowing throughout the year regardless of your age. This will stimulate your intellectual health.

5. Explore your emotions. Talk to a friend or start a journal to get your thoughts and feelings off your chest. Staying in check with emotional health can be tough, but it’s important.

6. Be a life-long learner. Check out parenting, finance, nutrition, or food preparation classes offered by your Extension office.

7. Maintain a healthy home. Make a calendar of weekly cleaning and a monthly checklist of things to inspect such as smoke detectors to create a healthy home habit. Help manage allergies and/or asthma by cleaning and vacuuming regularly to reduce allergy triggers in the home. Having a goal of cleaning one area each day can help spread out the work.

8. Keep your family finances in check. Track your expenses and update your budget regularly. Evaluate what is important to you and why that is the amount you allocate for it. Try money-saving tips like eating more at home, menu planning, and coupon tools.

All eight of the dimensions or areas of wellness are connected and support each other. Evaluate your overall wellness and take small steps to improve your health during Living Well Month and all year long.

N.C. Cooperative Extension’s goal is to provide the residents of the community with research-based knowledge. For more information on nutrition, health, food preservation, and food safety in Lee County please contact the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, Ashley Szilvay at 919-775-5624.