Skip to main content

Health & Wellness

All Health & Wellness Content

Small black fly on pale skin.

Monitor Livestock, Pets and Yourself for Eye Gnat Activity

While being outside this week, I noticed a lot of small gnats flying around my legs and really bothering my dogs. I caught a few and identified them as eye gnats. Although this pest is considered a nuisance in most cases, it is capable of transmitting diseases and pathogens.

Young woman demonstrating the reclined side leg raise exercise. For a complete description, call SDSU Extension at 605-688-6729.

Build Strength Without Using Weights!

Good news! You can use your own body weight to help build strong muscles and bones, no equipment needed!

Mosquito with darker coloration and mosquito with white band on proboscis.

Be Ready for Mosquitos

With the very wet 2019 spring and recent rains, it inevitable that mosquito populations will be high this year. Although there are over 20 species of mosquitoes that call South Dakota home, there are really only two species that account for the majority of observed individuals.

A mother and daughter doing pushups.

8 Ways to Get Moving!

For those with barriers to being physically active, here are eight quick ideas to add a little more activity to your week.

Young woman sitting on a couch.

Sit Less and Move More

Many people may feel frustrated because of jobs that force them to stay sitting for long hours during the day. If you are one of those people, don’t get discouraged!

A family going for sunset walk down a country road.

Fit on the Farm

Although regular job duties on the farm may include intense physical tasks, aerobic physical activity is still needed in addition to the short burst, physical tasks.

A woman applying bug spray to a teenager's arm.

How to Avoid Being Dinner: Preventing Tick and Mosquito Bites

Summer is here, and so are the opportunities to enjoy the long days and warm weather. Ticks and mosquitoes share the outdoors with us, and there are things you can do to prevent bites from both.

spinning bike in gym

Fitness Trends: Spinning

Spinning, or indoor cycling, is a popular fitness class offered across the nation.

Tick that is dark brown to black in color with a reddish-orange abdomen.

Protecting Yourself From Ticks

During wet springs, tick populations tend to thrive in South Dakota. These parasitic arthropods require blood to fulfill their nutritional needs and commonly use humans as a host. Some ticks can also carry bacterial diseases that are a threat to human health.

Two women jogging in the country

Target Heart Rate: Finding the Right Intensity

For many individuals, determining if you are working at a moderate or vigorous intensity may be tricky.