In the midst of a pandemic, it is officially cold and flu season. No matter how careful you may be in taking the universal precautions to try and prevent illness, viruses happen and will always do what they do: mutate. It is important to not live in fear, as fear promotes and attracts more of what you focus on: more fear. Instead of living in fear, be in a state of knowing. Obviously, it is important to follow basic guidelines of being as careful as you can, washing your hands frequently, … [Read more...] about Favorite Immune Boosting Tips
Columnists
Honoring the Holidays Through Grief
Twinkling lights, festive treats, family gatherings…they say it’s the most wonderful time of the year. No day is easy when we are grieving the loss of a loved one, but the holidays can be especially difficult for some of us. A season that is supposed to be filled with joy can seem overwhelming when we are missing someone special in our lives. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the loss and sense of isolation may be heightened. There are some things we may do to help ourselves and those close … [Read more...] about Honoring the Holidays Through Grief
Maintaining Your Revocable Living Trust
You’ve done the responsible thing and set up your estate plan, which includes a Revocable Living Trust. You’ve gone through the process of choosing your agents, planning distributions of your assets, nominating guardians and conservators for your children, and naming agents under health care and general durable powers of attorney. You’ve signed all the documents, so now you’re done, right? Not exactly. There are steps that you should continue to take even after you have signed your documents to … [Read more...] about Maintaining Your Revocable Living Trust
Considering Health Insurance Options for Early Retirees
When you retire from your job before turning age 65, you will likely lose your group health insurance coverage. You will then need to find a new health insurance plan to cover you until you qualify for Medicare. You may have a number of options from which to choose when selecting a health plan. The best choice for you likely depends on your income, your health and the network of medical providers to which you want access. COBRA (continuing group coverage) You may be able to continue … [Read more...] about Considering Health Insurance Options for Early Retirees
Treating the Brain Disease of Addiction
The mere fact that relapse is more common than uncommon sheds light on how difficult it truly is to break addiction. No one enters rehabilitation with the intention to fail; rather, they enter a treatment program hoping in their heart they can stop using for good. The problem with this approach is addiction doesn’t happen in the heart. It happens in the brain. The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) defines addiction as a chronic, underlying, largely genetic brain disease, making … [Read more...] about Treating the Brain Disease of Addiction
Buyers Beware: Shhhh, Sellers are Listening
You know when you’re discussing something, let’s take new ski gloves or a Hawaii vacation as an example, and all of a sudden you are being targeted by ski glove companies or Hawaii VRBOs online? Is it serendipity? Or is it targeted marketing from our technologies passively hearing our conversations toward goods and services? Let’s go with the latter. Believe it or not, the same thing can happen with a prospective buyer touring a home. With a myriad of technologies in our home, sellers can … [Read more...] about Buyers Beware: Shhhh, Sellers are Listening
Dreaming of a New Home for the Holidays
With our bellies full from the Thanksgiving cornucopia, Hanukkah upon us, and Christmas right around the corner, this is typically a time of year where we take a moment to reflect and give thanks. Yet, it can also be a time when relatives visit and we realize we don’t necessarily have the home space we desire. Perhaps a guest bedroom and larger great room for entertaining make it to the wish list. Or, maybe recognizing that a designated office space is in order since the dining room table is in … [Read more...] about Dreaming of a New Home for the Holidays
How the Gut-Brain Connection Impacts Mood
Have your ever heard the saying, ‘the gut is the second brain’? Have you ever wondered what it means when people say that? I’d like to answer that question and more today! First, the second brain is your enteric nervous system (ENS) and it consists of hundreds of millions of neurons, or nerve cells, that line your gastrointestinal tract from the esophagus to the rectum. The connection between the gut and the brain is becoming more and more recognized when it comes to our moods, such as anxiety … [Read more...] about How the Gut-Brain Connection Impacts Mood
Are You Prepared for Self Defense?
Are you prepared, both mentally and physically, to defend yourself should the need arise? Many of us may think that, because we’ve chosen to arm ourselves with a firearm or other defensive tool, we’re good to go. But, it’s not that simple. It’s been said that the best defense is a good offense. In the world of self-defense, that offense means being situationally aware. Situationally aware people are active observers of the world around them. They are constantly evaluating the potential for … [Read more...] about Are You Prepared for Self Defense?
COVID-19 and the Ear
For the past two years, the world has been battling the COVID-19 pandemic. While great progress has been made, there is no denying that it is still a global health crisis. Because of its novelty, questions remain about the long-term effects on those who have contracted the virus. This includes the virus’s impact on the auditory and balance systems. Fortunately, research is beginning to appear. To be clear, it is still in the early stages, but it does provide an idea of what to expect. Hearing … [Read more...] about COVID-19 and the Ear