Topic by Rachel Fraley of Lawrence County — How does the heart beat? Before each beat, your heart fills with blood. Then the muscle squeezes, like when you squeeze your hand, and sends oxygen-filled blood back into your body! Even though your heart is inside your body, you can feel your heart beat from the outside by finding your pulse.

You can find your pulse by lightly pressing on the side of your neck or on the inside of your wrist below the thumb. You’ll know you’ve found it when you can feel a small beat under your skin. Your pulse rate is determined by your activity level. The more you move around, the faster your heart pumps to supply oxygen-filled blood to your body.

Your heart is working for you each and every minute, so it is important to keep your heart happy and in good shape.

You can view the full topic by clicking here!

Topic by Teresa Johnson of Defiance County– New Year’s resolutions aren’t just for adults. 4-H members can also benefit from making a new year’s resolution ANY time of the year.  Resolutions should always be discussed in a positive  way.  For example, saying “I’m going to do this…” instead of “I’m going to STOP doing this…”. Change takes time, effort, and patience. Be sure to choose something that is both achievable and specific. Stick with it – it typically takes at least 3 weeks to shift into a new way of doing something, but it can take much longer. Find a way to make it 4-H Fun!

See the full topic by clicking this link. 

Hello Everyone! The Health Officer Monthly Topic is tardy this month- but it has arrived! I hope you have been enjoying the Jan-Mar editions so far!

April’s topic is Sports Eye Safety! It covers the frequency of eye injuries, sports that are more at risk, how to avoid injury, and a reference guide to first aid for eye injuries. I was fortunate to find 3 great resources for this month, so be sure to check them out for more information!

Click the following link to download: April – Sports Eye Injuries

Want to check out the other month’s topics? Click on the monthly topics to the left on the side bar! Thank you for your support!

Welcome to the 4-H Health Officers Monthly Topic blog. Our goal is to provide 4-H health officers with content each month that is interesting and relevant to youth of all ages. Each newsletter contains background information to be read, roll call ideas, and a Fourth H Challenge for members to try and home with their families. We are currently working to add healthy snacking ideas, and activities and games to the newsletter as well!

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