The state of Illinois is in the midst of an opioid abuse epidemic. In 2013, there were 1,089 deaths from drug overdoses in Illinois. Of those deaths, 668 were caused by opioids. That number represents a 61% increase from the previous year.

The majority of those who died from opioid overdoses were between the ages of 25 and 44. However, the number of overdose deaths among people aged 55 and older has also been increasing at an alarming rate.

Also, it has been shown that men have made up the bulk of those struggling with opioid use disorder with 72.4% of emergency room visits from 2019-2020.

There are several factors that have contributed to the rise in opioid addiction and overdose rates in Illinois. One is the increased availability of prescription painkillers.

When people are prescribed painkillers for legitimate purposes, they may not be aware of the potential for addiction.

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The balls have dropped; it is time for new year’s resolutions again. Some people enjoy the annual tradition of setting a goal on January first. Others argue it is a waste of time because most resolutions fail by mid-March. Despite the grim statistics, there is a logic to jumping on the new year’s resolution bandwagon. On dates like New Year’s day, birthdays, and even Mondays, people are extra motivated to tackle their goals because they feel like they can turn the page on previous failures.

If you are thinking about making new year’s resolutions to live a healthier lifestyle, keep in mind that they need to be specific, realistic, and long-term. New year’s resolutions are easy to make but difficult to accomplish. You must prepare and plan to turn your resolution into an actual solution. There is no easy magic button to press to keep a resolution. Do not worry;

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Here are the best tips for feeling socially isolated while working from home:

Feeling socially isolated while working from home

Photo Credit: Unsplash

1. Get outside on your lunch break and take a nice walk.  

Being in the house all day can make you want to stay indoors day in and day out. Being outside switches up your scenery, rather than staring at the walls in your house all day.

Fresh air can also uplift your mood if you are feeling a bit wonky. Let the sun warm your skin while you listen to the noise around you.

You may also see other people during your walk, which can help you feel more connected with the rest of the world.

2. Make sure that you clock out right when your shift is over.  

It is easy to just continue working because you are already home, and you feel like an extra 30 mins to an hour won’t

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Make a batch of these homemade dog treats for all your furry friends! Made from 5 ingredients, and baked in under 30 minutes.

Easy Homemade Dog Treats

These homemade dog treats are easier than driving to the pet store to buy some! You’ll love that these treats are made from 5 simple ingredients that you can feel good about giving your dog, plus, aren’t they cute?!

Why you’ll love ’em!

5 ingredients: all you need is sweet potato puree, peanut butter, an egg, flour and baking soda! Plus, we’re sharing some easy ingredient swaps you can make in your kitchen if you don’t have all the ingredients on hand.

Dogs love ’em! Everyone on Team Fit Foodie has a dog, and every single one of our pups <3 these treats.

Ingredients for homemade dog treats.

Ingredients for Homemade Dog Treats

Make these homemade dog treats with just 5 ingredients. You’ll need:

  • Pureed sweet potato
  • Drippy
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An artist created iconic symbols that infected the present world with joy through his graffiti and emoticons. Smiley face was the first emoji he put out for the world to see, introducing the smile’s smiley creator- Harvey Ross Ball. This symbol was later the face behind World Smile Day, held every first Friday of October. This day is devoted to spreading little acts of kindness and simple joy regardless of race or gender. A smile has the power to reach many hearts and bloom this day and every other day as well. Look around you to see who needs a lift in their spirits with your smile; sometimes, it is the little things you do for others that keep them going.

1. Smile for Longevity

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What can you do to expand your lifespan? Smile. Smiling effortlessly with your whole heart can help your happy hormones keep you healthy. Intense smiling

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