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

Stopping the “Summer Slide”

Kids lose up to two months of education in the summer months. Use these tricks to keep them sharp all summer long.

Image of a little boy reading a book in a tent
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
Community

Fireworks-Free Fourth of July Festivities

While fireworks have become a Fourth of July tradition, for some, they may not make for the ideal night.

Family Fourth of July beach celebration
Fitness

Wave Hello to Open Water Swimming

Swimming engages your entire body, conditioning all muscles needed for any other workout. Here are some of the ways open water swimming benefits your health.

Man diving into lake
Community

Scenic Summer: Top Picturesque Locations in MI

The weather is warm and summer is here! Capture some of the best pictures at these locations in Michigan.

View of Pictured Rocks from the water
Fitness

Taking the First Steps Toward Triathlon Training

Triathlons can be intimidating. Engaging in the three exercises back-to-back-to-back sounds exhausting on its own.

bikers racing
Community

Cadillac’s After 26 Depot Cafe: Serving Up Work Skills and Good Eats

The After 26 Depot provides great food to the Cadillac community and the restaurant employs adults with cognitive impairments and developmental disabilities.

Staff of the After 26 Depot Cafe
Fitness

Working Out Effective for Reducing Parkinson’s Symptoms

Newer research has also found that exercise may have a neuroprotective effect, meaning it can protect from neuron degeneration.

playful seniors having fun together and dancing
Fitness

Rock Steady Boxing: Beating Parkinson’s to the Punch

Did you know you can fight symptoms of Parkinson's disease by boxing?

Two heavy weight bags with two boxing participants practicing movement between them
Home and Family

Table Talks: A Conversation About Caregiving

Angela Hernandez, social media team leader at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan sat down with local caregivers and aging experts to discuss caregiving.

Table Talks: A Conversation on Caregiving
Prevention

Why Young Adults are Abandoning Alcohol

Younger Americans are drinking alcohol at lower rates than young people 10 years ago. Read about the trend and why it’s growing in popularity.

Fruity strawberry surrounded by fresh strawberries
Fitness

Overcoming Injury: Vince’s Story

The road to recovery can be draining. Read Vince's story about how he stayed positive after a life-altering injury.

Muscular bodybuilder guy doing exercises with dumbbells in gym
Home and Family

Is My Child Ready for a Sleepover?

The decision to allow a child to go to a sleepover rests solely on the parents and how ready they feel their child is.

Two girls reading at night on a bed
Mind

Sleep Cycles: What Really Happens When You Sleep

When you sleep your body transitions through different cycles. Learn about what happens at each stage and how each cycle affects your health.

Child sleeping with stuffed animal
Prevention

Dreaming of a Good Night’s Sleep? You May Have Sleep Deprivation

A study by the American Sleep Association reported over 35 percent of adults are getting less than the recommended seven hours of sleep each day.

Woman wrapped in blanket sleeping
Home and Family

How Bike Helmets Help Your Head

Bike helmets are extremely effective at preventing injury due to their design and the engineering behind them.

Image of a dad helping his son put on a bike helmet.
Food and Recipes

The Big Benefits of a Basic Broth

Emmele Herrold, co-owner and Executive Chef at Hazel, Ravines and Downtown in Birmingham, serves bone broth to customers daily.

Bowl of bone broth with a bone and bread
Home and Family

Say Goodbye to Food Dye

While it’s easy to sprinkle in some food dye to add to the festivities, you may want to think twice about what you’re really adding to your foods.

Rainbow Sprinkles
Prevention

Why Weight: The Science Behind Weighted Blankets

Weighted blankets look and feel like a normal blanket, but are far heavier. The weight is evenly distributed across them.

Woman sleeping under a heavy blanket.
Home and Family

What is Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome?

NAS occurs when newborn babies experience withdrawal symptoms after being exposed to drugs or alcohol in the womb.

baby sleeping and holidng adult hand
Community

Michigan: The Cider State

Michigan produces more than 900 million pounds of apples each year. Wherever you live in Michigan, there’s sure to be a local cider-producer nearby.

Green aples next to apple cider
Home and Family

Healthy Pasta Swaps

Pasta dishes are quick and easy to make. Try these alternatives to noodles as a way to cut carbs or gluten for your next meal.

Uncooked noodles in front of cheese
Food and Recipes

Healthy Holiday Menu

You can get the proper nutrition and have a flavorful meal at the same time. Here’s a healthy holiday menu for you to use at your next gathering.

Red table with red and white place setting
Prevention

How to Have a Healthy Winter

The winter months are often busy with holiday parties, travel and more. Here are some helpful tips on ways you can stay healthy throughout the season.

Senior couple ice skating in the sunshine.
Community

Beautiful Michigan: Top Picturesque Winter Spots

Winters in Michigan means lots of layers, freezing temperatures and of course- snow. Yes, the winter months are cold, but even in the single-digit temperatures, our state still proves why it’s one of the most beautiful.

Image of ice curtains near Pictured Rocks.
Community

Wacky Winter Sports to Try in Michigan

It’s important to continue working out, even when the weather gets colder. Ready to take on the challenge?

Man being pulled on skis by dog on snow
Home and Family

The ABCs of T1D: How to Explain Type 1 Diabetes to a Child

Here are the basic terms you need to know if you’re taking care of someone who has Type 1 diabetes, and how to explain it to a child:

Young patient checks her blood sugar level.
Home and Family

Your Holiday Budget Game Plan

Food, wrapping paper, gifts and decorations all can take a toll on your bank account – but they don’t have to.

Image of man holding shopping bags with presents on the street.
Home and Family

Growing Up Diabetic: How Parents Can Help

Living with diabetes, or taking care of someone who has diabetes can be a challenge. So, as a parent, what can you do?

Mom giving insulin to her daughter.
Home and Family

In Michigan, It’s Easy to Eat the Rainbow {Videos}

When you live in Michigan, you never have to travel too far to eat every color of the rainbow.

Colorful vegetables on picnic table
Home and Family

Concussion Care: How To Know When Your Brain Needs A Break

If you’re an athlete or if you care for athletes, make sure you know the warning signs of concussions and when it’s better to be on the bench than the field.

Young kids playing soccer
Home and Family

Unplug to Recharge

The overuse of smart devices could have a negative impact on both mental and physical health.

iphone on table
Home and Family

Small Towns, Big Fun

Check out our ten tiny towns to travel to for your next road trip – all right here, in Michigan.

View from behind a tree of sand dunes and lake
Home and Family

Top Locations for Kids to Stay Active in the Summer

Summer is the perfect time to get outside! Check out these awesome locations across Michigan to keep you active all summer long.

Image of a boy camper holding a paddle and wearing a life vest
Home and Family

‘Hey, Alexa’: Ways to Use Your Amazon Device For Better Health

Live a healthy life with the MI Blue Skill for Amazon Alexa.

Blue Cross branded Amazon Echo Dot
Food and Recipes

Around the World Recipe Roundup

Check out these recipes to add a little diversity to your meals.

Slow Cooker Mediterranean Chickpea Stew

A Healthier Michigan is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit, independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
No Personal Healthcare Advice or Other Advice
This Web site provides general educational information on health-related issues and provides access to health-related resources for the convenience of our users. This site and its health-related information and resources are not a substitute for professional medical advice or for the care that patients receive from their physicians or other health care providers.
This site and its health-related information resources are not meant to be the practice of medicine, the practice of nursing, or to carry out any professional health care advice or service in the state where you live. Nothing in this Web site is to be used for medical or nursing diagnosis or professional treatment.
Always seek the advice of your physician or other licensed health care provider. Always consult your health care provider before beginning any new treatment, or if you have any questions regarding a health condition. You should not disregard medical advice, or delay seeking medical advice, because of something you read in this site.