Month: December 2021

2021-12-20T09:01:00

(BPT) – Do you get enough sleep each night? Do your loved ones? Or are you a “short sleeper,” someone who routinely sleeps less than seven hours per 24-hour period — something known as short sleep duration.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Sleep Research Society both recommend that adults aged 18 to 60 sleep at least seven hours each night to promote optimal health and well-being. Increasingly, researchers are finding that poor sleep quality and duration is associated with a slew of negative health conditions such as diabetes, obesity, stroke and Alzheimer’s.

Most U.S. adults (88%) understand quality sleep is critically important to overall health, but a third of Americans (33%) regularly sleep less than the recommended minimum seven hours per night, and 44% do not have a serious sleep routine, according to a consumer survey by Tranquility weighted blanket brand. In the same survey, general stress and anxiety was the top barrier to getting good sleep.

So, how can you improve sleep in the face of daily stresses and work-life demands?

1) Establish a sleep routine including wind-down rituals and a consistent bedtime, even on weekends. Wind-down rituals could include bathing at night, turning down lights, setting your devices to nighttime mode or Do Not Disturb, relaxing with a weighted blanket, and cutting off eating and drinking several hours before your established bedtime.

2) Incorporate small, realistic changes, like adjusting your immediate environment with cooler nighttime temperatures, new bedding or limiting evening screen time, versus more drastic changes that may be hard to maintain, like making a career change or cutting out coffee cold turkey. Giving up caffeine drinks can improve sleep, but less than two in 10 (19%) adults said they would be willing to try this tactic, whereas about a third would be willing to change bedding or adjust screen time habits.

3) Tie your new routine to existing habits. Behavioral scientists say we are more successful adopting new healthy habits when they are tethered to existing ones. If you watch TV or read to unwind before bed, adding a weighted blanket that elicits a calming sensation through the application of deep touch pressure can compound the relaxing effect. If you work out in the evenings, adding a few minutes of gentle yoga, breathwork or meditation to the end of your session can help prep your mind and body for sleep.

4) Give yourself time to settle into your new routine. There will be days where family, social or work obligations disrupt your new pattern, and cutting off screen time or eating and drinking well in advance of bedtime is an impossibility. This is where a meditation routine or weighted blanket can come in handy, helping to quickly quiet a busy mind or body close to bedtime. Eventually, you’ll be reaping the health benefits of consistent, quality sleep.

2021-12-20T11:45:00

(BPT) – Active living and healthy vision go hand in hand. That’s why protecting your eyes is so important. As you make informed choices to improve your well-being in 2022, here’s some important information that can help better your eye health too.

These five frequently asked questions about a common eye disease can serve as a guide to take care of your vision in the year ahead.

1. What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is caused by eye pressure that is too high and can damage the optic nerve. The most common form of glaucoma is open-angle glaucoma, where pressure builds slowly and often without warning. More importantly, early damage from glaucoma typically causes loss of side vision, which may not be noticeable until extensive irreversible damage has occurred. Left untreated, glaucoma can lead to worsening vision and irreversible blindness. The best way to manage glaucoma is through early detection and treatment. Step one in that process is having a regular eye exam.

2. How do I find an eye doctor?

The start of a new year is the perfect time to make annual eye exams part of your healthy lifestyle. At your appointment, an eye doctor — either an ophthalmologist or an optometrist — will perform an eye exam to look for any vision issues. To find a local eye doctor, start with research and ask your primary care doctor, family and friends for referrals. Helpful resources include the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Find an Ophthalmologist page and the American Optometric Association’s Find a Doctor page, where you can find a list of eye doctors in your area.

3. Is glaucoma care covered by health insurance?

Receiving a diagnosis of glaucoma can be alarming. The good news is that there are a range of treatments to help you and your doctor manage your condition. Medical treatment for eye diseases, including glaucoma, is typically covered by health insurance. Check with your healthcare provider for specifics on your level of coverage. If your treatment plan includes prescription medications such as eye drops, be sure to shop around at various pharmacies to find the best price. If you are at high risk of glaucoma, you are eligible for an annual glaucoma screening through Medicare, which also may help cover glaucoma medications and treatments. If you are still working and have commercial insurance, you may be able to take advantage of savings cards provided by the manufacturers of your medicines.

4. How can I better manage my eye medications?

Properly taking prescription eye drops to manage pressure in your eye can be a fundamental part of the glaucoma treatment routine. When using eye drops, it’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions, always wash your hands, and keep your eye dropper clean. Other helpful tips include resting your hand on your face to reduce hand shaking, and placing eye drops in the inner corner of your eyelid. If you are having trouble keeping up with your dosing schedule, talk to your eye doctor about options for reducing the number of drops you take, including options for in-office laser treatment.

5. Are there other healthy living choices that can benefit eye health?

There are many lifestyle choices that can help keep your eyes healthy. These include eating a diet rich in green leafy vegetables, fish, proteins such as eggs and beans, and citrus fruits; exercising regularly; wearing sunglasses with ultraviolet (UV) light protection; and quitting smoking. Rest your eyes often to maximize your ability to use your computer, tablet and phone. Above all, always listen to your eyes. If you are experiencing a change in vision or any other eye symptoms, contact your eye doctor.

“Your eyes are an important part of your overall health. By taking steps to identify and treat eye diseases as early as possible, and staying diligent to healthy living goals, you can help keep your eyes healthy and your vision sharp,” says Andrew Iwach, M.D., executive director of the Glaucoma Center of San Francisco.

The Glaucoma Research Foundation offers a wealth of online resources to help you build a plan for better eye health, including “Understanding and Living with Glaucoma.” This free booklet, with support by Aerie Pharmaceuticals, is available in English and Spanish. It can be downloaded or ordered at www.glaucoma.org/booklet.

2021-12-20T14:01:00

(BPT) – With prices on the rise, nearly everyone is looking for ways to make their money go further. In fact, the latest Google Search data shows that individual searches for “monthly budget template” increased a whopping 350 percent in the last five years in the U.S. alone.

While there’s no silver bullet when it comes to managing your money, you can build healthier financial habits that help you move toward your goals. Here are four tips for taking more control of your money:

Know where your money is going

The first step toward any goal is starting with a clear-eyed view of where you are. Your finances are no different, and to build a better relationship with your money, you first need to know where it’s going.

Digital personal finance apps like Google Pay and others make it easy to see exactly how much money you have, what you’ve spent and where you’ve spent it — all from your mobile phone. You can quickly see how much you’ve spent by category (like groceries and gas) or by business (like your favorite neighborhood coffee shop or big-box retailer). The detailed view can help you identify which expenses you can cut back on without feeling it too much.

Try the 50/30/20 rule of thumb

Once you know where your money is going, you’ll need a rough plan for how to allocate it in the future. The 50/30/20 split can be a helpful rule of thumb for managing spending. The general idea is that about 50 percent of your money should go toward essentials (housing, transportation, medical costs, groceries, etc.), 30 percent toward wants (dining out, new clothes, entertainment, etc.) and about 20 percent toward paying off debt or saving for the future.

Take advantage of special deals and offers

Online offers and deals are the modern-day coupons without all the clipping and sorting. With personal finance apps like Google Pay, all of the deals available to you are accessible and searchable through your mobile app. Just tap and activate the offers you like and the next time you make a purchase from that business, the offer will be automatically applied. No more fumbling for the right coupon at checkout.

Aim for progress, not perfection

Just as overly restrictive diets don’t usually work for long, the same is true for restrictive budgets. Both fail because they aren’t sustainable and can lead to counterproductive splurging.

Rather than aiming for perfection, small, consistent steps can make a real difference. The goal of taking control of your finances is not to deprive yourself of living an enjoyable life — it’s to create better habits, one step at a time, to set yourself up for a more secure and prosperous future.

2021-12-20T14:01:00

(BPT) – When a claim exceeds the limit of your home or auto liability insurance, a personal umbrella policy can help cover the rest and give you peace of mind.

Legal responsibility is a tricky thing. Whether you’re at fault for an auto accident, or someone is injured on your property, you can be held responsible for other people’s medical expenses, pain and suffering, property damage, and even lost wages. And here’s the thing: You don’t have to be a millionaire to get sued like one.

That’s why liability coverage is such a vital part of your homeowners or auto insurance policy.

The truth is, anyone can get hit with a costly lawsuit, regardless of age or income. And if you’re found liable for damages, it’s not only your savings that’s at risk. Your property, investments and even future wages could be on the line if damages exceed the amount covered by your homeowners or auto liability insurance.

What is umbrella insurance?

A personal umbrella policy (PUP) offers extra liability coverage beyond the limits of your homeowners, auto or renters insurance. After you reach the limits of other policies, umbrella insurance kicks in so you don’t have to pay for additional damages out of pocket.

Do you need an umbrella insurance policy?

“Major liability can arise easier than you might think,” says JJ Montanaro, Military Affairs Director and Certified Financial Planner professional.

“Let’s say you crash into and total a $100,000 sports car driven by a heart surgeon who, … as a result, can’t go back to work,” Montanaro says. “Or maybe there’s a pool accident at your house. Or your dog bites someone. It happens, and it can get very expensive — even exceeding what your auto or homeowners insurance would pay.”

Adding umbrella coverage can provide a higher level of protection for your assets and wages — as well as any loved ones in your household.

A good rule of thumb is to have enough liability protection to cover your net worth — everything that you own minus everything you owe. If your net worth exceeds your limits on your auto and home insurance, get an umbrella policy.

What does an umbrella policy cover?

Umbrella policies typically offer four general categories of coverage:

1) Bodily injury liability refers to the cost of injuries to other people.

2) Property damage liability refers to the cost of damage to another person’s property caused by you or a member of your household.

3) Other personal liability covers other types of claims beyond bodily injury and property damage. If you’re sued for slander, libel, pain and suffering, or lost wages, an umbrella policy can help cover damages and legal fees.

4) Landlord liability helps protect owners of rental units against liability. For example, an umbrella policy can help cover bodily injury or property damage that occurs on your rental property — or even by a tenant’s pet.

How much does umbrella insurance cost?

Believe it or not, umbrella insurance isn’t expensive. Typically, you can get $1 million of coverage for about $1 a day.

Keep in mind that some insurers will require you to purchase a certain amount of liability coverage on your underlying policies before they’ll sell you an umbrella policy. According to the Insurance Information Institute, the typical requirement is about $250,000 of auto liability coverage and $300,000 of liability insurance on your property policy.

Of course, the amount you pay will depend on your financial situation and the amount of coverage you need.

To learn more about the benefits of an umbrella insurance policy, visit https://usaa.com/umbrella.

2021-12-20T13:01:00

(BPT) – Holiday parties are a great excuse to get everyone together and celebrate each other and the season. As much fun as they are, hosting a gathering can be a lot of work when you have to plan a menu, decorate and clean.

Time in the kitchen doesn’t have to be stressful. You and your family can work together to make the following homemade appetizers that will elevate your holiday season get-togethers.

1. Spring rolls

Spring rolls are a delicious appetizer to serve your guests as they settle in. Stocking frozen spring rolls to heat up at home eliminates the need to run to a restaurant and makes preparation quick and easy. SeaPak’s Shrimp Spring Rolls are a great choice because they can be made in the oven, on the stove or in an air-fryer. Consider brushing some barbeque sauce over them before serving or giving your guests an assortment of condiments and dipping sauces so they can enjoy the flavors of shrimp and crispy vegetables any way they like.

2. Bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers

If you’re looking for a savory food with a bit of heat, try making bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers. These cream-cheese-filled, bite-sized delights are always a party favorite, easy to make and craveable. If you want to decrease the heat, try a more mild pepper like poblano.

3. Cheese and garlic pull-apart bread

Cheese and garlic pull-apart bread is simple to make and serve. It’s as easy as taking a loaf of bread, scoring the top half with cross sections much like a tic-tac-toe board, and adding as much cheese and garlic as you like. Then, bake it to melt the cheese, and serve it on a platter for your guests to rip apart and devour. You can even experiment with different types of cheeses and breads. Because of its simplicity, this appetizer is easily customizable.

4. Caprese bites

This refreshing appetizer only requires three ingredients: fresh mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes and basil leaves. You can either cut up the components and stack them on top of each other or use toothpicks or skewers to make it easy for friends and family to snack and chat while mingling around your living room. If you want to spruce it up, add a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar reduction over the bites along with a sprinkle of Italian seasoning.

5. Coconut shrimp dippers

Coconut shrimp is easy to find at most supermarkets and is a fun finger food you can serve at your holiday party. Once baked, you can set them on a plate along with bowls of orange marmalade sauce and coconut curry for your guests to dip into and enjoy!

Below is a recipe for Thai coconut curry shrimp dippers that takes as little as 20 minutes to make. Even if you’re short on time, you can quickly make this appetizer in a pinch and enjoy the compliments you’ll receive for this sweet and savory treat.

Thai coconut curry shrimp dippers

Prep time: 10 minutes; Cook time: 10 minutes; Makes 5 servings

Ingredients

1 10-ounce package SeaPak Jumbo Coconut Shrimp

1/2 cup Thai coconut milk

1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter

1 tablespoon fresh cilantro leaves, chopped

1 teaspoon Madras curry powder

1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (if desired)

1 packet orange marmalade sauce (included in package)

Directions

Prepare the shrimp according to package directions.

Heat the milk, peanut butter, cilantro, curry powder and hot pepper sauce in a 1-quart saucepan over low heat.

Cook and stir until the ingredients are mixed. Do not boil or the mixture will curdle.

Pour coconut curry sauce into a small bowl for serving.

Empty orange marmalade sauce packet into a separate small bowl for serving.

Serve the shrimp with sauces for dipping.

To find this and other recipes for your next holiday get-together, visit seapak.com.

2021-12-20T09:01:00

(BPT) – From errands and commuting to road trips and pleasure drives, people love the freedom of getting behind the wheel and driving wherever they want — especially as travel picks up again. In fact, business and leisure travel in 2022 is expected to outpace 2021, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council.

With added time on the road comes the risk of accidents and associated vehicle repairs that disrupt your routine. Feeling stuck when your car is out of service is frustrating, but rental reimbursement can help.

What is rental reimbursement coverage?

Rental reimbursement coverage is an optional add-on to auto insurance that helps cover the cost of vehicle rental if your insured car is in an accident and needs repair. This allows you to continue to drive as normal with a rental car while your vehicle is fixed.

“Customers are back to prioritizing their vehicles, rather than putting off repairs and maintenance until after pandemic restrictions have been lifted. With the average repair taking two weeks, and rising due to supply chain and worker shortages, finding a replacement ride right now can be inconvenient and expensive,” said Mary Mahoney, vice president, Replacement and Leisure Division at Enterprise Holdings. “Even with a variety of transportation options, renting a car while your personal vehicle is out for service is still the most convenient solution — and with rental reimbursement coverage, it’s also cost-effective.”

Do I already have rental reimbursement coverage?

Because rental car reimbursement is optional, many people believe they have it but don’t. It’s important to ask your insurance company if this coverage is active on your current policy.

In a proprietary study of the general population, Enterprise found 70% of those with collision coverage thought they also carried rental reimbursement coverage. The insurance industry reports the true number of people carrying rental reimbursement coverage to be much lower — closer to 50%. With a 20 percentage point gap, that leaves many people unprepared at the time of an accident.

Is rental reimbursement coverage expensive?

One year of rental reimbursement coverage typically costs about the same as renting a vehicle for one day. This averages $2 to $15 a month, depending on the level of coverage on your policy.

Keep in mind, insurance companies sometimes have different names for rental coverage. They may refer to it as rental reimbursement, loss of use or rental coverage. Whatever it is called, it provides the benefits of reimbursement for the cost of a rental car.

When can rental reimbursement coverage be added?

Rental coverage is widely available from most major auto insurance providers. You don’t need to wait until renewal to add this coverage; it can be added at any time — and the new year is a great time to revisit your existing policy.

Learn more about rental reimbursement at Enterprise.com, and be sure to ask your insurance provider if you have this important feature on your policy today.

2021-12-18T09:01:00

(BPT) – It’s no secret, the holidays are a sweet time of year with seemingly endless sugary snacks, drinks and desserts. That, coupled with a long break from school can mean grazing in-between meals is at an all-time high for families across the nation. Thankfully, there are a few simple steps during holiday meals and get-togethers to minimize damage to your children’s teeth and gums to ensure the mouth monsters (a.k.a. tooth decay) don’t take away from your favorite holiday traditions. Dr. Jeannie Beauchamp, president of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, shares her top teeth tips to help your family enjoy the magic of the holiday season and still have a cavity-free smile for family photos.

1. Schedule (or reschedule) those dental appointments over the holidays: Like many other medical appointments, pediatric dental check-ups have been pushed off during the pandemic, causing cavity-prone kids. Dr. Beauchamp has noticed an increase in cavities, tooth decay and longer cleaning times in patients. Preventive dental appointments not only catch compromised teeth but offer children educational reinforcement on proper dental cleaning and habits. Leaving cavities untreated can result in larger, lasting health issues. Consider scheduling your children’s dental check-ups over the holidays when kids are off school and have more downtime.
2. Teeth are NOT present openers: Teeth make for excellent tools when it comes to eating, drinking and enunciating. But spare those tiny teeth when it comes to opening packages, snacks or presents. This can lead to weakened enamel and expensive and painful repairs, which certainly are not wanted during the holidays.
3. Avoid constant snacking: Snacking can feel endless over the holidays but it’s important to limit in-between meal snacking to prevent unwanted wear and tear on teeth that can cause the tooth enamel to weaken and lead to tooth decay or cavities. Dr. Beauchamp also warned, many children might have fallen into a pattern of grazing throughout the day due to digital learning and encourages families to set boundaries when snacking.
4. Keep a routine: The holidays are certainly a hectic time and it’s easy for routines to become difficult to follow — make brushing and flossing a priority and ensure kids brush thoroughly for two minutes at least twice a day. Keeping a routine means preventive dental appoints as well, shared Dr. Beauchamp. With regular pediatric dental appointments, there are fewer dental emergencies.
5. Water, water, water! Drinking water in between meals encourages saliva, washes away bacteria/food debris, and neutralizes plaque acids. This includes drinking fluoridated water, proven to keep teeth strong and reduce cavities.

With a bit of extra attention, your children’s smiles will make it through the festivities unscathed. For more information about children’s oral health or to find a pediatric dentist in your area, visit mychildrensteeth.org.