Blog - ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC

Posted July 3rd, 2020 by ALLEGRA & filed under Community Health, Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, Wellness.

Since the first signs of the new respiratory virus called 2019 Novel Coronavirus (which causes COVID-19) made headlines in December 2019, the world has experienced its fifth pandemic after the 1918 flu pandemic. Originally traced to a wet market in Wuhan City, China, the virus has now (as of this writing) infected over 9 million individuals in over 213 countries and territories around the world. More than 480,000 people have died (Liu, Kuo, & Shih, 2020; Worldometers, 2020).

There are reports of asymptomatic infections (detection of the virus with no development of symptoms) and pre-symptomatic infections (detection of the virus prior to the development of symptoms) but their role in transmission is not yet known.… Read more »

Posted June 12th, 2020 by ALLEGRA & filed under Food, Nutrition, and Health, Meditation, Men's Health, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Wellness, Women's Health.

Self-care is one of the most important things we can do, and it is also one of the easiest things to forget to do or put aside in favor of tending to others or when responding to challenges. Yet compassionate self-care is vitally important to our health. It is not difficult. It just involves small habits that, when done regularly, can greatly enhance our body, mind, and spirit. When we care effectively for ourselves, we benefit and so do others in our life.… Read more »

Posted December 2nd, 2019 by ALLEGRA & filed under Behavioral Health, Brain Health, Integrative Mental Health, Mental Health, Stress Management, Violence Prevention and Awareness.

Laurie struggled with anxiety for most of her life. She was frightened in school, felt pressured to get high grades and go to college, and began drinking and using drugs while in high school. She attempted suicide her first year in college, at a time when she felt especially alone.

Each and every day across the world, between 800,000 and 1 million people die by suicide—one every 40 seconds. In the United States, that number is approximately 45,000—one every 12 minutes.… Read more »

Posted November 15th, 2019 by ALLEGRA & filed under Cultural Competency, Violence Prevention and Awareness, Wellness, Women's Health.

Now more than ever, it is critical for all individuals to stand up and advocate for women and the environment. Imagine a world where the earth is cared for and there are no toxic chemicals in our homes, communities, or our environment. This vision is possible to achieve. We must act now if we are to create a planet where it is safe to live, work, and play and where all beings have a chance to thrive.

Women play a critical role in managing the resources of their family and their community.… Read more »

Posted September 11th, 2019 by ALLEGRA & filed under Cultural Competency, Education, Healthy Aging, Mental Health, Spirituality, Health, and Healing.

Sad polar bear on dwindling chunk of ice, with trash in the water

Ecological grief describes individuals who experience deep emotions related to loss of the environment and nonhuman life, loss related to the degradation of landscapes and ecosystems, and loss of cultures, livelihoods, and ways of life. Ecological grief also involves the experience of anticipatory grief for what is likely to come with continued climatic and environmental changes (Cunsolo & Landman, 2017).

Last October, the United Nations released its report on climate change. In it, the U. N. warned that without “unprecedented action,” catastrophic conditions could arrive by 2040 or earlier.… Read more »

Posted August 12th, 2019 by ALLEGRA & filed under Brain Health, Men's Health, Stress Management, Wellness, Women's Health.

“…There never seems to be enough time to do the things you want to do once you find them…”

–From “Time in a Bottle” by Jim Croce

Many of us think that material possessions and symbols of affluence (such as designer clothes, expensive cars, etc.) are great predictors of well-being and happiness. There is, however, another type of affluence that is a much better predictor of how happy and content we are. It is called time affluence. Time affluence is the feeling that we have enough time to pursue activities that are personally meaningful, to reflect, and to engage in leisure activities that we enjoy.… Read more »

Posted March 8th, 2019 by ALLEGRA & filed under Education, Food, Nutrition, and Health, Wellness.

Grassland turning in to barrens, illustrating climate change

All human societies have had to adapt to challenges created by climate change. No matter where people live, how they earn a living, what they eat, or how they access food and water, human health and well-being has been intricately connected to climate. The connection between protecting the natural environment and safeguarding human health has been recognized for a long time.

While shifts in climate have occurred throughout history, these changes have occurred very slowly and gradually, allowing humans and other life on earth to adapt.… Read more »

Posted November 19th, 2018 by ALLEGRA & filed under Behavioral Health, Complementary and Integrative Health, Holistic and Integrative Health, Integrative Mental Health, Stress Management, Wellness.

We all experience anxiety at some time or another in our lives. It can keep us alert and cautious when we need to be and it’s normal to have occasional bouts of anxiety as a response to stress, life challenges, or major decisions. Most anxiety tends to resolve as you work through the issues you are struggling with. However, if you have anxiety disorders, the worries don’t go away so easily and you may experience frequent, intense, excessive, and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations.… Read more »

Posted October 22nd, 2018 by ALLEGRA & filed under Integrative Mental Health, Men's Health, Stress Management, Violence Prevention and Awareness, Wellness, Women's Health.

Sexual assault can happen to any one of us, regardless of age, gender, race, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. These forms of sexual violence are among the most underreported and/or unreported crimes in both the United States and the world due to the intensely difficult nature of the crimes.

Sexual violence is defined as any sexual act committed against someone without that person’s freely given consent. The act can be completed or attempted and can involve actions such as grabbing, fondling, verbal threats, and rape.… Read more »

Posted October 5th, 2018 by ALLEGRA & filed under Community Health, Education, Mental Health, Violence Prevention and Awareness, Wellness.

Have you ever been bullied? Have you ever stood by and watched someone else get bullied? What did you do? How did it make you feel?

If you have ever been bullied or witnessed bullying, you are not alone. In the United States, more than 25% of students say they have been bullied at school while 30% of students admit to bullying others. More than 70% of students and staff have witnessed bullying at schools.

Human relationships are at the core of the human experience.… Read more »