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Category: 2020

Seasonal Affective Disorder

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

What is seasonal affective disorder?

According to the National Institutes of Mental Health, people may start to feel “down” when the days begin to get shorter in the fall and winter and begin to feel better in the spring with longer daylight hours. In some cases, these mood changes can become more serious and affect how a person feels, thinks and handles daily activities. If you have noticed significant changes in your mood and behavior when the seasons change, you may be suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression.

What are signs and symptoms of SAD?

SAD is not considered a separate disorder but is a type of depression characterized by its recurrent seasonal pattern, with symptoms lasting 4 to 5 months. Not every person with seasonal affective disorder will experience all of the symptoms listed below:

  • Feeling depressed most of the day, nearly every day
  • Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
  • Experiencing changes in appetite or weight
  • Feeling sluggish and agitated
  • Having low energy
  • Feeling hopeless and worthless
  • Having difficulty concentrating
  • Having frequent thoughts of death or suicide
  • Oversleeping (specific to winter-pattern SAD)
  • Overeating, particularly craving carbohydrates (specific to winter-pattern SAD)
  • Social withdrawal (specific to winter-pattern SAD)

What causes SAD?

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, scientists do not fully understand what causes SAD, but research indicates that people with SAD may have reduced activity of serotonin, which helps regulate mood. Research also suggests that sunlight controls levels of molecules that help maintain serotonin levels. For individuals with SAD, this regulation does not function properly, resulting in lower levels of serotonin in the winter. A deficit in Vitamin D may also play a role in Seasonal Affective Disorder because Vitamin D is believed to promote serotonin activity.

How is SAD treated?

Treatments available to help individuals with Seasonal Affective Disorder include: light therapy, vitamin D, psychotherapy and antidepressant medications. If several of the signs and symptoms listed above apply to you, it is important for you to see your doctor so you can feel better.

If you or someone you know is in immediate distress or is thinking about hurting themselves, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline toll free at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text the crisis text line (HELLO to 741741).

For more information, please visit the source of this article: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/seasonal-affective-disorder/index.shtml

By: Ashley Svaty

 

Bonding Through Board Games

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

As you spend time with family in unique ways this holiday season, board games are a great way to focus on connecting and have some fun!

Spending time playing board games as a family tradition help develop the six traits of strong families. You can learn more about these traits through the University of Nebraska’s extension service – Family Treasures: Creating Strong Families.

  • Carving out time for each other.
  • Appreciation.
  • Communication.
  • Shared values.
  • Resiliency in times of crisis.
  • Commitment to each other.

To learn more about the value board games bring to the family, or to spark some ideas of games worth trying out, check out K-State Research and Extension’s bookstore:

By: Nora Rhoades

Choosing the Perfect Christmas Tree

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

Fresh cut Christmas Trees are a perfect decoration for the holidays. If you are planning to purchase one remember these tips;

If selecting a cut tree, watch for these signs that the tree is too far gone.

  • Needles are a dull, grayish-green color
  • Needles fail to ooze pitch when broken apart and squeezed
  • Needles feel stiff and brittle
  • Needles pull easily off tree

Once you have your tree home, recut the trunk about one inch above the original cut. This will open up clogged, water-conducting tissues. Immediately place the trunk in warm water.

Locate the tree in as cool a spot as possible. Avoid areas near fireplaces, wood-burning stoves and heat ducts as the heat will result in excess water loss. Make sure the reservoir stays filled. If the reservoir loses enough water that the bottom of the trunk is exposed, the trunk will need to be recut. Adding aspirins, copper pennies, soda pop, sugar and bleach to the water reservoir have not been shown to prolong the life of a tree.

By: Cassie Homan

Available by Appointment

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

If you need assistance from the Post Rock District Team, please call any local office to schedule an appointment, before making a visit.

Staff are working in a blended –remote and in-office- format to help slow the spread of the coronavirus in our communities. We are committed to helping you solve problems and improve quality of life. We are willing to work with you in an appropriate virtual, distance, or in-person format. By calling our offices to schedule an appointment, we can make sure the right team member and resources are available to best meet your needs.

Additional Post Rock District Contact Information: https://www.postrock.k-state.edu/staff/

Post Rock District Covid-19 Updates: https://www.postrock.k-state.edu/covid-extension-resources/

By: Nora Rhoades

 

 

Teen Babysitting Resources

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

Visit the K-State Research and Extension website, https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/families/suddenly-in-charge/, to find helpful resources to support tweens and teens with roles taking care of younger children. The Suddenly in Charge effort was developed during the pandemic when families have been forced to make quick adjustments to routines. The resources focus on safety, activities, food, and more. They are valuable for a pre-planned or last-minute-planned babysitting experience. In addition to the website, there is an e-mail subscription available for regular updates and tips.

 

By: Nora Rhoades

Identity Theft

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

Kansas is seeing an increase in reports or unemployment claim fraud due to identity theft.

Fraudulent claims are being filed using the names and personal information of people who have not lost their jobs. People are often unaware a claim has been made on their behalf until they receive a determination notice in the mail or until their employer receives a notice to verify the employee’s status.

If you suspect a claim has been improperly filed using your identity or your employees’ identity, please contact the Kansas Department of Labor. They will investigate your claim, suspend the fraudulent account if suspicious activity is found and refer the matter over to law enforcement for action.  It is recommended to follow these steps:

  1. Notify all three major credit reporting bureaus, Equifax, TransUnion & Experian and request a “fraud alert” on your credit report.
  2. Contact your banks and credit card companies. Follow their advice as to whether you should close your account.
  3. Contact the Social Security Administration. Order a copy of your Personal Earnings and Benefits Estimate Statement in order to check the accuracy of your work history on file with the SSA.
  4. Notify the Internal Revenue Service. Request a copy of your Wage and Income Transcript from the IRS.
  5. Go to ftc.gov to file a report with the Federal Trade Commission.

By: Brenda Langdon