Category: Seasonal
Making Room for the Empty Chair
Coping With Grief During the Holidays, With Dr. Ryan Bjerke Here in Minnesota, the holidays have a really special way of bringing us all together. The church basement fills up for the lutefisk dinner, the kids press their noses to the window waiting for the first real snowfall, and somebody’s tater tot hotdish takes its…
Giving Thanks Is Good for You
The Benefits of Gratitude for Your Whole Family There’s a moment at a lot of Minnesota Thanksgiving tables that happens right before everyone digs in. The turkey is carved, the wild rice stuffing is steaming, someone is already sneaking a dinner roll, and before the passing of the green beans begins, the family goes around…
Take Time to Embrace the Slower Season
Why Minnesota Winters Are the Perfect Time to Rest and Recharge There’s something about a Minnesota winter evening that just invites you to slow down. The sun has already slipped behind the trees by the time you pull into the driveway, the snow is falling softly under the streetlights, and the couch, a warm blanket,…
Holiday Gatherings Bring Plenty of Cheer (and Plenty of Germs): Your Guide to Staying Well This Season
Holiday gatherings bring cheer and plenty of germs. Learn simple ways to stay healthy during the holidays and keep your family well all season long.
Creaky Knees and Achy Joints? Why Minnesota Winters Can Make Joint Pain Worse (and What Can Help)
Creaky knees and achy joints this winter? Learn why cold weather joint pain happens, simple ways to find relief, and when to see your Entira provider.
Is It a Cold, the Flu, or Allergies? What Minnesota Families Should Watch For This Season
It usually starts with that annoying little tickle in the back of your throat. Maybe it shows up after a chilly Saturday morning at the hockey rink, or a few days after the furnace kicks on for the first time. By dinnertime, you’re reaching for the tissue box and wondering, “Is this a cold, is…
The Power of Traditions
Holidays are just another day on a calendar. The magic doesn’t come simply because your 12 Months of Puppies calendar says “Fourth of July” in 6 point font. The joy of the occasion begins with traditions. They can be religious, cultural, or familial, whichever shape they take, they provide families, especially children, with comfort and…
The Onset of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) as Summer Fades
Author: Midwest Center for Personal & Family Development As summer winds down and the days grow shorter, many people notice subtle shifts in mood, energy, and motivation. For some, these changes mark the beginning of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)—a form of depression linked to seasonal changes. While it’s common to feel a little down as…
Back-to-School Health Checklist: How Minnesota Parents Can Help Kids Stay Healthy This Fall
New backpacks, new teachers, and (almost without fail) a brand new round of classroom germs. If it feels like your child brings home a cold within the first couple of weeks of school every single year, you’re not imagining it. This year, pediatric health forecasters are pointing to an especially early and aggressive start to…
Tick Season Is Here: What Every Minnesotan Should KnowAbout Lyme Disease Symptoms
If you’ve stepped outside for a hike, spent some time working in the yard, or had a getaway to the cabin this year, there’s a pretty good chance that you’ve already had at least one run-in with a tick. Minnesota is in the middle of one of its most active tick seasons in years, and…
How To Navigate Back To School Scaries
The end of summer is always a mix of emotions. Sadness for the end of long warm days. The conclusion of barbecues, time outside, swimming and splashing. Excitement for autumn days of sweaters and pumpkin carving, chilled air and warm cooking, a season of coziness creeping in. Right in the middle of these two emotions…
The Case For Gathering
Imagine a day of normal grocery shopping. Maybe you head to the store with a few kids in tow, or better yet, have your groceries delivered by a paid shopper. It’s so efficient, effortless really. You make a meal that’s optimal for time and nutrients. You eat quickly, while standing in your kitchen. Don’t make…