Blogs

How Social Media Affects Mental Health + Tips to Manage It

BCBSTX Connect Team — Thu, 21 May 2026 20:24:00 GMT

Social media and digital tools have become constant companions in most people’s lives. There are some positive benefits. But research also shows the harm social media can have on mental health if not managed well. Most people use social media d...(read more)

Follow 4 Simple Steps to Put Your Family on a Healthy Path

BCBSTX Connect Team — Thu, 21 May 2026 16:11:00 GMT

It’s never too early to teach kids about healthy habits. Setting good habits when they’re young puts them on the path toward a healthier life. Many children are not off to a good start. About 1 in 5 American children are obese, says the C...(read more)

What is Anxiety Disorder?

BCBSTX Connect Team — Mon, 18 May 2026 16:41:45 GMT

Life can feel stressful. In a recent poll by the American Psychiatric Association adults across the U.S. have reported increased feelings of anxiety. We all deal with many life stressors at once. Worries about health, work, money, ca...(read more)

When the Heart’s Aflutter, AFib May Be the Reason

BCBSTX Connect Team — Wed, 13 May 2026 10:57:00 GMT

Singers may croon that their love-struck hearts are all aflutter, but in real life, a fluttering heart can be a scary problem — atrial fibrillation, better known as AFib. In a healthy heart, electrical signals travel through the muscle and mak...(read more)

Do You Think Your Child Has Asthma?

BCBSTX Connect Team — Fri, 08 May 2026 11:37:00 GMT

It can be upsetting when your child is struggling with a health issue. It's especially unnerving if your child seems to be struggling to breathe. Could your child have asthma, a known common chronic disease? Here’s what parents need to kn...(read more)

Summer Heat Safety Reminders

BCBSTX Connect Team — Tue, 05 May 2026 15:21:00 GMT

Staying safe during hot summer months is important. Drinking lots of water and wearing sunscreen isn’t enough. Here are three things to know to help keep summer fun. UV Rays Can Hurt You Ultraviolet radiation from the sun can damage your skin....(read more)

Quit Smoking for Good

BCBSTX Connect Team — Mon, 04 May 2026 23:39:00 GMT

One of the best things you can do for your health is to quit smoking or using any kind of tobacco. Quitting isn’t easy, but the rewards make it worth the effort. Quitting earlier in life is best, but it’s a big boost to your health at any...(read more)

Is Vaping as Bad for Your Health as Smoking?

BCBSTX Connect Team — Mon, 04 May 2026 20:19:00 GMT

One of the worst things you can do for your lungs and your overall health is to smoke. But many still don’t know that vaping is also dangerous. While experts expressed concern from the start, not everyone got the message. What Is Vaping? Vaping...(read more)

Taking Care of Your Kidneys Helps Keep You Healthy

BCBSTX Connect Team — Mon, 04 May 2026 16:35:00 GMT

Kidneys play a big part in your total health. They filter extra water and toxins from your body. They help control blood pressure. And they play a role in making red blood cells and in keeping bones healthy. When your kidneys aren’t working as...(read more)

Stop on Red: Reducing Exposure on High Pollution Days

BCBSTX Connect Team — Mon, 04 May 2026 15:45:00 GMT

When air pollution levels are high, a red alert warns the public of health dangers. Poor air quality is bad for us all. And it's an even greater risk for those with breathing issues. Poor air quality can trigger allergies and asthma attacks for milli...(read more)

Care for Your Mental Health Throughout Your Pregnancy

BCBSTX Connect Team — Mon, 04 May 2026 15:24:00 GMT

Health care is important before, during and after pregnancy. And that means caring for your mind as well as your body. Mental health challenges can affect you throughout the perinatal period. This period begins before you get pregnant and extends thr...(read more)

Kidneys: The Chemical Factories of the Human Body

BCBSTX Connect Team — Mon, 04 May 2026 09:00:00 GMT

The body is one complicated machine. Everything is connected. Everything works (or is supposed to, anyway) in harmony. Many times, when you're diagnosed with an illness, it’s important to address and treat it properly so other parts of your bo...(read more)

Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes

BCBSTX Connect Team — Mon, 04 May 2026 09:00:00 GMT

Over the last two decades, the number of people with diabetes has increased by 20 percent in the U.S. All told, more than 40 million Americans have diabetes — and the numbers keep rising. The majority (over 90 percent) have Type 2 diabetes. Wit...(read more)

A Hug Only Takes 10 Seconds, Yet the Benefits Last Forever

BCBSTX Connect Team — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 15:26:00 GMT

Fun fact about hugs: They don’t just give you a warm, fuzzy sense of well-being — they can also be good for your health. It’s true. Hugging for just 10 seconds can boost feel-good hormones like oxytocin. Often called the “love...(read more)

Three Ways to Support Your Teen’s Mental Health

BCBSTX Connect Team — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 16:31:00 GMT

Teens are facing more challenges than ever. There’s pressure from school, friends and social media. No wonder their mental health can suffer. You don’t have to wait until your teen is in crisis to talk about it. Talk to your teen early an...(read more)