First Steps Helps Babies Get A Good Start  

Before Renita and Angel became teenage parents, they turned to the First Steps program to get ready for parenthood and become a family. Today, they are thriving as they are raising their daughter and navigating life on their own.

Top 5 Tips to Prevent Pickleball Injuries

Pickleball has been the fastest growing sport in America for three years running. With more than 36.5 million pickleball players in the U.S., injuries are also on the rise. Adults of all ages are enjoying this sport that blends tennis, ping pong and badminton.

Want more happy? Practice gratitude   

Practicing gratitude is a small, but mighty, health habit. According to UCLA Health, research shows that giving thanks and being grateful daily can help people sleep better, reduce depression symptoms, lessen anxiety, relieve stress and support heart health. In fact, gratitude can help lower blood pressure and calm us.  

Do you have a primary care provider?

A primary care provider, also known as a PCP, is your go-to for all your medical care – annual check-ups, preventive care, health conditions, and illnesses that pop up. As a primary care provider in Family Medicine, my goal is to help people reach their full potential in health and wellness – physically, mentally and emotionally.

Enjoy outdoor sports & activities

Being physically active helps us feel good, sleep better, lifts our mood, reduces anxiety and lowers blood pressure. Long-term, physical activity can boost brain, heart and bone health. When we head outdoors to work out, studies show that physical activity outdoors lowers the body’s blood pressure and heart rate.  

Top 7 Tips for Heart Health

February is American Heart Month. This is a good time to understand your risk for heart disease and take  steps toward better heart health.

Roughly half of all Americans have at least one of the top three risk factors for heart disease: High blood pressure, high cholesterol or smoking.

Playing outside is good for us

With two young children, our family likes to go outside and play in the snow. We usually build snow forts because my husband is an expert! While sledding is fun too, our kiddos aren’t quite ready for Mankato’s bigger hills yet.

Frostbite prevention and treatment

Winter weather is here. When it gets brutally cold, it’s important to take precautions against frostbite. When wind chills dip to -15 F or lower, you can get frostbite in 30 minutes or less. Follow these tips from the CDC to stay safe.

Amanda’s Kitchen: It’s Chili Weather

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been waiting all year for this. Sweaters, movies, hot cocoa, and best of all, endless bowls of chili! It warms my heart (and stomach) just thinking about it. This meal can be prepared in the slow-cooker or on the stove. Regardless, the end result will be a nutritious, … Continued

Make holidays more rewarding, less stressful

As the holidays approach each year, a number of common themes surface in therapy. Some people look forward to spending time with loved ones or decking out their house in seasonal décor. But for many, holidays are associated with feeling overwhelmed, tense, or sad.