Hello4Health News

Posted on: March 7, 2023

March is National Developmental Disability Awareness Month. This is the 28th year that the United States has both recognized and celebrated this month as National Developmental Disability Awareness Month. This month gives us an opportunity to provide awareness, understanding, and support for people with disabilities to live a life with equal opportunities.

Posted on: February 7, 2023

Valentine’s Day can bring up a variety of emotions depending on where you are in your life. While it can bring up feelings of joy and love for some, it may be a lonely day for others. Fortunately, there are many ways that we can work to reduce the loneliness we may be experiencing. Here are some tips and resources from Hello4Health.

Posted on: January 3, 2023

Happy New Year! Whether you’ve already planned 2023 resolutions or you haven’t thought about making any, consider prioritizing social connections and reconnections in the new year. It is common to make physical health and wellness goals for the new year but social health is equally as important. In fact, the two are actually linked.

Posted on: December 7, 2022

As you navigate the holiday season, it can be hard to maintain a joyful “holiday spirit”. Whether you have experienced a recent loss and are dealing with grief or you don’t have a circle of people around you to connect with, it is normal to experience some form of loneliness during the holidays.

Posted on: November 2, 2022

This month we honor and recognize the family caregivers across the country. In the United States, families provide the main support for both older adults and people with disabilities. It is not uncommon for caregivers to both work a job and provide care simultaneously, often resulting in burnout from the conflict between responsibilities.

Posted on: October 6, 2022

As fall approaches and the weather gets colder, it can be more difficult to remain social with summer activities slowing down. Yet, support from social connections can make navigating mental health challenges less difficult. Mental health conditions and challenges are so common they impact millions of people in the United States every year. That’s why the first week of October is dedicated to raising awareness of mental illness and breaking down the stigma that is associated with it. This year, Mental Illness Awareness Week takes place October 2-October 8, 2022.

Posted on: September 6, 2022

September is recognized as Healthy Aging Month to gain awareness of the positive aspects of aging and remind us a healthy lifestyle can be adopted and continued at any age.

Posted on: May 13, 2022

According to National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five U.S. adults experience mental health conditions each year. Research continues to show how important social connections are to our mental health. In fact, people who feel more connected to others have lower levels of anxiety and depression.

Posted on: April 7, 2022

Volunteering is a great way to get involved in your community, develop new connections and help your own mental health and well-being. In addition, volunteering provides the opportunity to practice your social and interpersonal skills.

Posted on: March 21, 2022

The benefits that Meals on Wheels volunteers bring to meal recipients are obvious: much-needed nutrition and a social connection. But is it possible that volunteers get something out of it beyond just the satisfaction of knowing they are helping their neighbors?

Posted on: March 15, 2022

With social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, it has never been easier to stay in touch. Yet, it often feels harder to stay connected.

Posted on: February 3, 2022

Connection is one of the most important things for our mental well-being but we know not everyone has the social support and skills to stay connected.

Posted on: January 6, 2022

As we greet 2022, many of us will make resolutions or goals for ourselves. This pause to reflect and think about what we want to do in the New Year is a powerful way to jump start healthy habits. These goals often focus on our physical health. This year, consider making a goal for your social health.

Posted on: December 10, 2021

For some people, the holiday season is the best part of the year. For others, it’s more challenging. A 2017 AARP Foundation survey found that 31 percent of all adults have felt lonely during the holidays at some point over the past five years. Holiday celebrations can also bring groups of people together that may cause tense situations and disagreements.

Posted on: November 12, 2021

Practicing gratitude is good for your physical, mental and social health. It not only increases happiness and reduces depression, but research shows it helps us make new or strengthen our existing social relationships.

Posted on: October 13, 2021

Any type of exercise has positive impacts on both your body and your brain. But studies show people who participate in team sports may experience more benefits than those who exercise alone.

Posted on: September 14, 2021

It’s easy to get so caught up in our daily lives that we can forget how important staying connected to the older adults in our life is to our well-being as well as theirs. Check out these fun ways to connect with the older adults in your life!

Posted on: August 24, 2021

Allina Health was recently featured in a report from the Center for American Progress entitled How Nonprofit Hospitals Can Support Communities and Advance Public Health.

Posted on: August 3, 2021

No matter where you live – a single-family home, an apartment or somewhere else altogether – building friendships with those around you can help you feel more connected and fulfilled.

Posted on: July 8, 2021

Loneliness is often defined as a subjective feeling of being alone regardless of the amount of social contact or number of existing relationships. It is possible to still feel lonely even if you are surrounded by people.

Posted on: June 19, 2021

The pandemic forced a lot of change onto our lives creating stress and anxiety. But now that the pandemic is easing, getting back to “normal” this new experience is creating challenges, too.

Posted on: June 17, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically changed the nature of our social interactions. In-person changed to online or not at all; smiles were covered with masks; and people were hesitant about exposure when running errands. Now that restrictions are being lifted, you may find yourself re-entering the social scene with some uneasiness – you’re not alone.