Jillian Berndtson

Jill is a Senior from Loyola University Chicago majoring in Advertising and Public Relations. She enjoys writing about events around Michigan and mental health. When she's not working, she's either traveling, listening to music, or exploring the city. She's so happy to be working at the Blues!
Home and Family

Race to Recess: How Unstructured Play Helps Kids

One-third of children are overweight or obese, leaving room for a host of other health complications. So what can be done to help?

Multi-ethnic group of little friends with toothy smiles on their faces enjoying warm sunny day while participating in soap bubbles show
Mind

Get Grounded: How To Reconnect with the Earth Through Yoga

Those who believe in the science of grounding support connecting individual bioelectromagnetic fields with the earth’s electromagnetic field.

woman doing child's pose in a park
Home and Family

How to Plan a Scavenger Hunt

You can create a hunt that is kid-friendly or opt for a more difficult set of clues for adults. It really is whatever you decide.

Scavenger Hunt map laying in grass
Community

How To Throw a Virtual Party

You can still have plenty of fun and enjoy the company of your loved ones by throwing a virtual party.

person holding cupcake while having a video conference call
Home and Family

Little Life Skills Everyone Should Know

Of course education is important and school learning should be a priority, but there are also plenty of lessons kids can learn outside of the classroom.

A boy and girl sitting at a table sewing fabric
Food and Recipes

Pantry Stocking Staples

If you’re like us, you always want to maximize your trips to the grocery store by buying food items that have a long shelf life and are versatile.

Woman looking in pantry
Mind

In a Rut? 12 Ways to Move Forward with Positivity

From creative outlets to health and wellness changes, there are plenty of ways to work on yourself. Here are our favorite ideas.

Woman painting a picture
Community

YouthWork: Connecting Youth to Community Service

YouthWork aims to answer “what’s next?” by empowering youth of all backgrounds through community service projects.

YouthWork volunteers
Home and Family

Helping Kids Navigate Academic Stress

The drive to succeed academically may be good to an extent, but it can also lead to an insatiable desire for perfection where a B can be devastating.

Little girl holding paper with an F on it.
Mind

The Science of Love

What happens in our body when we believe we’re falling in love? Spoiler alert: it doesn’t involve Cupid and his bow and arrow.

Girl holding hands in the shape of a heart
Fitness

MI Sporting Events to Inspire You in February

While we can’t change the weather, we can choose to make the most of it. In fact, there are plenty of events all around the state to take part in.

Three teams in Grand Rapids Playing Human Hungry Hungry Hippos on Ice
Community

Sleeping Bear Dunes Celebrates 50th Anniversary

The Sleeping Bear Dunes is located in Empire, Michigan and has many natural wonders. Read about plans to celebrate this popular attraction’s 50th anniversary.

Sleeping Bear Dunes and Lake Michigan
Community

The Best Advice We’ve Received From Mentors

Some pieces of advice tend to resonate with us more than others. Here are some of the best pieces of advice members of our team have received:

Business people group discussing work plan with coach at meeting
Prevention

Taking Caution with Food Allergies

Allergic reactions range from a mild skin rash to anaphylactic shock, requiring immediate medical attention.

girl holding peanut
Mind

Stopping Health-Related Stigmas

Unfortunately, many illnesses and conditions, both physical and mental, are stigmatized in society.

Sad woman turned away from group
Community

Small Ways to Brighten Someone’s Day

Sometimes even the slightest action can make someone happy. Here are some of the ways we participate in random acts of kindness during the holidays:

Son kissing mother
Home and Family

The Best Gift of the Holiday Season: Tradition

Ultimately, it’s not the gifts you remember, but the people and experiences you shared that live on for years to come.

Parents and daughter picking out decorations
Community

How to Stay Safe Using Ride-Hailing Apps

You can minimize the risk by taking basic precautions. Here are some tips to keep you safe in your next ride-hailing service.

Woman in back seat of rideshare
Community

Kevin’s Song: Providing Support to Those Seeking Solace

Kevin’s Song is a Michigan-based organization focused on educating the community about suicide. Learn more about their efforts.

Two people holding hands grieving
Community

Comedy, Caution and Caregiving: Breeda Miller’s Journey

Caregiving can be stressful, but there are small ways to embrace the journey. Read about Breeda Miller's experience and what she learned from it.

daughter talking to mother in wheelchair
Prevention

Eat Your Way to Better Skin

Skin care doesn’t have to be complex. In fact, you can easily take care of your skin by changing what you eat.

Woman washing her face
Home and Family

Special Challenges Adopted Children Face

Adoption is a life-changing experience that may bring about some unique challenges for the child that manifest in a variety of ways.

Young boy holding adult's hand
Home and Family

Just Start Swimming: Why Everyone Needs to Know How to Swim

The American Academy of Pediatrics is now recommending kids start swim lessons when they are one year-old.

Young Child Learning to Swim
Community

How to Walk for a Cause

Participating in these charity walks is a win-win. You get the health benefits of walking while also funding a great cause.

group of people crossing finish line of charity walk
Home and Family

Long-Term Life Planning Blueprint

While it’s easy to only look at the not-so-distant future, it’s incredibly important to plan for your long-term needs. It’s never too early to be prepared.

senior couple working on their finances at home
Community

Camp Casey: Providing Help, Horses and Happiness

Camp Casey is a non-profit organization that was established in 2004 with the mission of bringing smiles to kids with cancer and rare blood diseases.

Little girl celebrates her horsey house call
Mind

Table Talks: Managing Mental Health

Mental illness can impact everything from work to social lives. It is often viewed differently because it can not be physically seen.

A Healthier Michigan Table Talks: Managing Mental Health
Community

Medals4Mettle: Rewarding Life’s Hardest Races

Medals4Mettle collects old earned medals from long-distance runs such as half-marathons, marathons and triathlons and gives them to kids in the hospital.

Nurse holding baby with medal
Mind

The Power of Saying “No”

You may feel obligated to say yes all the time, but one of your greatest tools is the word “no.”

two people at a coffee table having a serious conversation
Home and Family

How To Keep Your Health in the Game

Sports are beneficial to mental and physical health and offer a foundation for a healthy lifestyle. Sports also require dedication from the parents.

Soccer Mom accompanying her two daughters to football training
Mind

Small Steps to Simplify Life

Simplification looks different for everyone and each person has their own method that works for them. Here are some of our tips on how we keep things simple.

young woman relaxing
Prevention

The Concealed Truth: What Your Makeup is Made Of

Using cosmetics to enhance appearance is extremely common across the United States. One study found 31 percent of people ages 18 to 29 wear makeup everyday.

Testers of different lipsticks in the cosmetic store
Community

Accessibility at Michigan State Parks

The state of Michigan and the Department of Natural Resources have teamed up to make state parks and recreation more accessible for people with disabilities.

Silver Lake State Park Sand Dunes

A Healthier Michigan is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit, independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
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