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Health and Wellness

What are Lifetime Sports?

Lifetime sports are those you can play for your whole life at any age. Regular exercise is important for people of all ages and has been shown to reduce and prevent many health conditions.

Mental Health

End-of-Summer Anxiety: How to Recognize and Manage 'August Anxiety'

School bells will be ringing before we know it. It's common for kids and parents to feel "August anxiety" this time of year. Here's how to identify and manage it.

Home and Family

Is Your Kid’s Backpack Too Heavy?

Let's take a look at healthy backpack weight, tips on wearing a backpack properly and a few ways to manage backpacks during the school year.

Mother making school lunch to her children.
Community

MI Bucket List: U-Pick Apple Orchards

Some apple orchards in Michigan allow you to start picking apples from early September. Filling a basket of apples on your own can be a fun outdoor activity with family and friends.

Community

How to Hunt for Petoskey Stones 

Hunting for Petoskey stones along Michigan’s shores is a pastime for many, and it’s fun for adults and children alike. Here are tips for looking for Petoskey stones.

Home and Family

What Kids Eat Matters: Smarter Lunches, Sharper Minds

The first day of school is coming up, which means packing lunches will once again be a priority. Here are some healthy ideas chockful of brain-supporting nutrients.

Home and Family

Morning Routines to Win the School Day

It is possible for families to have less stressful mornings. And studies show that consistent routines can result in improved energy, mood and focus for kids and teenagers.

Michigan Outdoors

MI Bucket List: Turnip Rock

Turnip Rock in Lake Huron is a gravity defying rock formation that got its turnip-like shape from gradual erosion caused by waves breaking down its soft, limestone stack.

Food and Recipes

8 Summer Snacks That Can Stand the Heat

Before you pack for a summer day outing or road trip, read this list of summer-friendly snacks that won't melt, get soggy or spoil under the sun.

Food and Nutrition

How to Pick the Perfect Watermelon

Choosing the right watermelon at the store or market can feel like a guessing game. From tapping the rind to checking the color, there are plenty of tricks people swear by. By paying attention to weight, color and texture, you can greatly increase your chances of bringing home a perfectly sweet melon.

Community

MI Bucket List: Best Michigan Sweet Corn Destinations 

Peak sweet corn harvesting season in Michigan begins in late July and runs through mid-September. Here is a list of 12 great U-pick sweet corn spots.

Podcast

Healthspan vs. Lifespan: What’s the Difference?

Everyone wants to live a long and happy life, but what about a healthy one? In recent years, you may have heard of healthspan in addition to lifespan. On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Blue Cross Medical Director Dr. Crystal Lee to explain the difference between your healthspan and lifespan and why they both matter. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore: What is your lifespan? What is your healthspan? Can we improve both? How they affect each other

Community

Take the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive in Michigan

This is also a great destination in Michigan to pack a cooler and plan a picnic along the way. Here are a few highlights along Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

Health and Wellness

Safe Ways to Exercise in the Heat

It's important to know how to keep hydrated and cool down in the heat when trying to exercise and keep active. Here are some safe ways to keep your body healthy while exercising in the heat.

Food and Nutrition

The Science Behind Why Kids Reject Healthy Foods

Why don’t some kids like healthy food? Here is a look at the science behind this and how to encourage kids to eat fruits and vegetables.

Community

2026 Woodward Dream Cruise Preview & Survival Guide 

The Dream Cruise can be a grind if you’re not prepared. Read these packing tips, nearby restaurants, parking options and best viewing spots.

If you’re a Dream Cruise regular, you probably know how to prepare for the day. But if it’s been a while since you’ve been one of the million-plus annual attendees – or you are brand new to it – this survival guide should get you ready to fully enjoy this iconic event.  
Community

MI Bucket List: Sunflower Festivals

Check out some of the Michigan farms that are hosting sunflower festivals this summer and fall.

Health and Wellness

How to Sit Less During the Day

Sitting too much can also be linked to conditions such as elevated blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist and unhealthy cholesterol levels. Moving more and sitting less throughout the day could lower the risk of these problems. 

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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