Living

While Arkansas may not be well known for its fall leaf-peeping season, the entire Natural State puts on an amazing display of reds, oranges and golds, all the way from the Ozarks traveling south through the Ouachitas and the Arkansas River Valley.

We all know the importance of taking care of ourselves physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. But how do we find time for self-care?

Instagram wants to make it easier to support the greater good. Facebook recently announced Instagram Stories, which will include a sticker that allows users to donate and fundraise on behalf of their favorite nonprofits.

Places that are fun for you can be stressful for your dog. The sights, sounds and smells are unfamiliar, which can cause anxiety for your pet.

The popularity of podcasts has boomed in recent years, and Arkansas Children’s recently adopted the trend with its “Live. Learn. & Play” podcast series.

Do you want to be a better listener? Here is an advanced practice drill. Listen to someone you really disagree with. It should not be a challenge to find someone in today’s political climate.

Many in our society are focusing on making their lives greener. But for some, the concept seems so vast that it’s hard to understand the lingo.

Volunteering is about more than getting a pat on the back or feeling good about yourself. It’s about giving back to the community or an organization that you are passionate about. Here in Arkansas, there are many volunteer opportunities to consider if you’re interested in getting involved:

Rethinking reentry: The Exodus Project is a prison rehabilitation program that teaches ethics, career skills, resource management and drug/alcohol recovery during the last months of an inmate’s sentence.

As it continues to provide leadership to improve the success of the capital city, the Downtown Little Rock Partnership has launched a new public art project. Led by the Public Spaces committee of Downtown Little Rock Partnership, the “Between the Bricks” initiative will add vinyl copies of original artwork to alley-facing doors around the downtown area.

Occasionally making yourself inaccessible is essential to boosting focus. A survey found that always being reachable – checking emails during off days, scrolling through social media, responding to texts 24/7 – is associated with higher stress levels. This is known as “continuous partial attention,” a state of alertness largely driven by FOMO.

The season for poolside get-togethers with friends and family is quickly approaching, and with it the need for parents and caregivers to keep water safety top of mind.

This week’s recognition of National Volunteer Week provided an opportunity to get involved and give back to the community. If you missed your chance to volunteer, it is never too late to join one of the many divisions at Arkansas Children’s.

This year’s Leadership Foundation for Women conference boasts an impressive lineup of speakers. Scheduled for May 23 at CHARTS Hall on the campus of the University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College in North Little Rock, the conference will include keynote speeches from Myra Davis, Charlotte Strickland and Linda Swindling, plus a leadership discussion with Little Rock mayor Frank Scott and Chanda Chacon and a panel on the topic of navigating career change.

After years of a sedentary lifestyle, I recently made the difficult decision to start working out. Having actively avoided physical fitness since high school, I had no idea where to begin.

Accidents happen to everyone, including our pets. It’s important to keep a pet first-aid kit in your home in case of emergency.

Increased skepticism surrounding vaccines has led to a resurgence in mumps outbreaks in recent years, and Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) is leading the charge to prevent the epidemic from reaching our state.

A 2018 study by an Arizona State University research team found evidence that a modified diet can drastically transform the lives of people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The group, led by ASU professor James Adams, altered the diets of 67 children and adults with ASD and monitored their developments through a variety of tests over the course of a year.

Parents across America continue to worry about the apps their children and teens download. Here are two apps that can give parents peace of mind.

Even for those with no Irish heritage to boast, St. Patrick’s Day means a time of fellowship and fun with friends and family. Here in Arkansas, the celebration will include a slew of parades across the state.

With American Heart Month in full swing, CHI St. Vincent has launched an online assessment tool to help people start taking control of their own heart health. The free test allows participants to gain access to their heart age, as well as a comprehensive breakdown of their potential heart-health risks.

North Carolina toddler Annie was watching “Sesame Street” late December when her mom, Amanda, thought she heard Grover say the “F” word. Annie’s dad (my son Thomas) replayed the segment, agreed it was debatable, posted it to Reddit, launching a top listing, 124,000 views, 3,400 comments and an international sensation.

Feb. 1 marks the beginning of American Heart Month, an annual reminder for people to take charge of their heart health. CHI St. Vincent, which has the largest and most diverse network of heart specialists in the state, continues to lead the growing efforts to improve heart health.

Gambel Communications is proud to be completing its second year publishing The New Orleans 100. This milestone is made sweeter because Tod Smith, general manager of our presenting sponsor, WWL-TV (CBS, Tegna), recently was awarded The 100 Companies’ inaugural Visionary Award.

American Heart Association’s revolutionary movement, Healthy for Good, inspires people to create lasting changes in their health and in their lives. Make 2019 the year to be “healthy for good,” with the following tips:

Happy New Year! It’s hard to believe that another year has come and gone. As we kick off 2019, it’s time to turn our attention to the year ahead and resolve to get on track this year, whether in business, personal finance, health or wellness.

According to Forbes, only 8 percent of people accomplish their New Year’s resolutions. Here are a few guidelines to ensure your 2019 resolution is a success:

Many people journal to pass the time, relax or keep a log of their accomplishments, but did you know that it can benefit your mental and even physical health?

Resolve to fill your life with more pleasure and beauty in our overworked world by getting to know the rich local art scene. At The Galleries at Library Square, exhibitions open every month with refreshments and live music from talented musicians, thanks to the Central Arkansas Library System’s Arkansas Sounds music series.

One Word 365 says by choosing your word, it becomes the compass that directs your decisions and guides your steps.