Month: March 2024

2024-03-26T08:01:00

(BPT) – The teenage years are a critical period of development to prepare young people to be at their best and thrive in multiple facets of their lives. Getting enough quality sleep plays a big part in teens’ health, but teens have unique sleep needs that are different from both children and adults. Teens’ body clocks go through natural changes that affect their sleep patterns. Plus, school, social, or work activities can influence if they get enough of the quality sleep they need. In fact, the average American teenager is not their Best Slept Self^®. Current sleep health statistics aren’t looking great for teens, and that’s cause for alarm because of the strong relationship between sleep health and mental health, among other things. The good news is there are small steps for teens to take that can help with both.

The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) is dedicated to improving health and well-being through sleep education and advocacy. NSF’s 2024 Sleep in America^® Poll, the premier annual review of public attitudes and behaviors about current sleep topics, sought to explore the important connection between sleep health and depressive symptoms among U.S. teens (i.e., people aged 13 to 17).

According to new data from NSF on teen sleep health, 8 out of 10 American teens don’t get enough sleep and over 1 in 3 also get an ‘F’ for practicing healthy sleep behaviors.

Too Much To Do, Too Little Sleep: Link between Teens’ Sleep and Mental Health

The mental health of American teens has stepped into the forefront as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Office of the Surgeon General have declared a “mental health” crisis among American youth. A new NSF survey revealed 1 in 3 teens in America report having mild or greater depressive symptoms. This high number can be linked to numerous contributors, including high stress, social demands, school demands, and even poor sleep health.

Many of the teens polled in NSF’s survey believe their sleep and mental health are connected. Nearly 75% said they feel their emotional well-being is negatively impacted when they get less sleep than usual, and nearly 70% of teens who are dissatisfied with their sleep report mild or greater depressive symptoms, as well as loneliness. The report also found that teens who have trouble falling or staying asleep two or more nights a week have significantly more depressive symptoms.

School demands appear to be a particularly important factor for both sleep and mental health in teens. NSF data show 7 out of 10 students start the school day before the NSF-recommended start at 8:30 AM, and that these teens report higher levels of depressive symptoms compared to those who start school later.

Better Sleep Health and Better Mental Health Travel Together in Teens

The good news: NSF’s survey on teen sleep and mental health showed a link between getting the NSF-recommended amount of sleep (typically 8-10 hours) on school nights and significantly lower depressive symptoms. The survey also found that nearly 80% of teens who earn a ‘B’ or higher practicing healthy sleep behaviors are also free of significant depressive symptoms. Together, households, schools, and communities must recognize the positive connection between sleep and a teenager’s mental well-being, and the implications for performance in school. Doing so will unlock opportunities for education and a sleep health culture, plus promote the benefits of healthy sleep behaviors.

Tips for Being Your Best Slept Self^®

The NSF suggests six small steps for healthy sleep. During the day, it is important to: get bright light, especially in the morning; exercise daily; and eat meals at consistent times day after day. In the evening, it is important to: avoid things like heavy meals, nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol before bed; prioritize sleep with a consistent and relaxing wind-down routine while maintaining a regular sleep schedule; and maintain a sleep-friendly environment — one that is dark, quiet, and cool.

For most teens, the NSF recommended amount of sleep is 8-10 hours with the same sleep and wake times.

Sometimes, even after including healthy sleep behaviors into our routine, we still don’t feel like we’re getting enough of the quality sleep we need. If you have specific symptoms or continue to be concerned about your sleep after consistently taking some basic steps, it may be a good idea to seek help from a healthcare professional.

For more sleep health information, visit www.theNSF.org.

If you or a loved one are having challenges in mood or feelings of depression, contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.

There’s only one National Sleep Foundation (NSF). NSF is an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation dedicated to improving health and well-being through sleep education and advocacy. Founded in 1990, the NSF is committed to advancing excellence in sleep health theory, research and practice.

National Sleep Foundation’s Sleep Awareness Week^® is an annual campaign supported by a range of sponsors and collaborators who help NSF share important and positive sleep health messages. Founded in 1990, the NSF is committed to advancing excellence in sleep health theory, research, and practice.

TheNSF.org ¦ SleepHealthJournal.org

2024-03-25T23:01:00

(BPT) – There’s something so invigorating and refreshing about springtime. The new season can bring out your best, motivating you to implement changes to your daily routine that will put a smile on your face, boost your energy levels and make many of your ordinary tasks seem easier.

If you’re looking for new ideas for this spring’s refresh, check out these tips from Colette Heimowitz, vice president of Nutrition and Education at Simply Good Foods Company.

Make over your meals.

Take advantage of the longer days and warmer weather by grilling your steaks, poultry, fish, and veggies outdoors! An impromptu barbecue may be just what you need to make weeknight meals special, even if it’s just you and your family enjoying it. As you let go of heavier comfort food from the colder months, try lightening up your meals with fresh salads and healthful soups.

Feeling stuck and need some inspiration to help keep your weekly meal plans exciting? Atkins has an array of low-carb recipes to help inspire your spring menus.

Put a spring in your snacks.

It’s time to upgrade your pantry and add a few new snacking options. The new Atkins Crunchy Protein Cookies are the perfect bite-sized, portable treats to crush your sweet tooth, any day, anytime. With 8 grams of protein and less than 1 gram of sugar, these are the perfect treats to bring with you on-the-go, or to enjoy at home on a rainy spring day.

While you’re at it, consider revamping your refrigerator options with tasty, in-season fruits and veggies. Check out your local farmers market to find the fresh options at their peak. You can elevate your fresh produce in a variety of ways: dip veggies in ranch dressing or hummus, sprinkle berries on cottage cheese, or layer bell pepper slices with your favorite cheese and a few olives.

Get moving outside. Or anywhere.

Now that the weather is getting warmer and daylight is stretching out longer, it’s time to get out and get moving again. If you’re new to exercise or haven’t been active in a while, start slowly. Take the dog for a walk, hit the park with your kids, skip the elevator in favor of the stairs or park a little farther from your destination.

Find an exercise routine that excites and inspires you. Try out a new workout class, start a walking club with friends or even try a new sport like tennis or pickleball.

Clean your space.

Spring cleaning may sound boring, but the results are well worth it as it’ll boost your mood and energy. Having a clean space can be just as important for leading a healthy lifestyle as eating right or getting some exercise. Start small and choose one drawer, one closet, or one room at a time. Put on your favorite tunes or podcast and get to work!

When you’re done cleaning, you can let in a little fresh air, light some spring-scented candles and kick off the season in your newly clean and cozy home.

You can find more healthy lifestyle tips, recipes and low-carb products for your spring refresh at Atkins.com.

2024-03-25T08:31:00

(BPT) – Your customers live in a world where they can — and expect to — get products they order in a fast, seamless way. How important is quick delivery? Recent data shows that nearly seven out of 10 consumers list “speed of delivery” as one of the top five most important factors influencing where they buy products.

As a small business owner, how can you keep up with the retail giants in terms of speedy delivery? Staying up to date on the latest sourcing trends and options can help you shore up your supply chain — and keep your customers happy.

Online sourcing: A new way to find your perfect match

As more and more businesses take their operations online, why leave sourcing out? A recent survey by B2B platform Alibaba.com found that two thirds of businesses plan to increase their reliance on online sourcing. This includes bigger, established businesses with more than 500 employees.

Why are these businesses choosing online sourcing, and why should smaller businesses like yours consider it?

• More information, fewer questions: 31% of business owners cited availability of information in the online sourcing process as a top reason they’re adopting the practice.
• Faster to you, faster to your customer: As they work to meet consumer expectations for speedy deliveries, 29% of business owners listed speed of product order in online sourcing as a main reason for choosing that option.
• Order visibility means peace of mind: 28% of respondents cited ability to track delivery status as a key reason for using online sourcing.

Adopting or expanding online sourcing can help you source more products at lower prices, with the ability to track your orders in real time. These benefits can help your business meet consumer expectations with quick deliveries and competitive prices on the products and services you work tirelessly to deliver, while letting you maximize your financial and physical resources.

More countries, more options, more price points

The U.S. certainly boasts a wide variety of sourcing options and solid price points, but that hasn’t stopped businesses from going international for at least some of their sourcing operations. According to the Alibaba.com survey:

• 50% of businesses source from China
• 36% source from Canada
• 36% source from the United Kingdom
• 20% source from the European Union

Why are these businesses looking to other countries for sourcing and — more importantly — why should you?

• Save with competitive pricing from international suppliers: 39% of business owners said they were able to find competitive prices when exploring cross-border supply partners.
• More options for you, more options for your customers: 32% of respondents indicated that they turned to international suppliers due to the wide variety of products available.

Incorporating international sourcing partners into your supply chain operations can help you find competitive prices for products you already offer, and also identify new products to add to your line. These advantages can go a long way in effectively managing financial resources, maintaining current customers and attracting new ones.

What about customs, delays and disruptions?

Whether they have concerns about logistics prices (27%), lengthy delivery times (22%) or not receiving products (19%), business owners have reason to be skeptical of international sourcing. And while healthy skepticism can benefit your bottom line, successful small business owners know when to adopt new tactics and tools for their toolbox.

Today, international sourcing is becoming a must for small business owners trying to navigate the ever-changing supply chain space and compete with big retailers, leading many to turn to online sourcing platforms as a smart, speedy way to better serve their customers.

Finding the right online sourcing platform to be your supply chain partner can help your small business with resources including tariff and duty calculators, real-time shipment tracking and delivery issues.

Some platforms, such as Alibaba.com, are also introducing more guaranteed services such as fixed prices including shipping fees, promised dispatch of goods within 72 hours, delivery by the expected date and money back for order issues. All these tools can help you make informed financial decisions, know the status of your inventory and address potential delivery issues with the peace of mind that your business is protected.

In a world of instant gratification, it’s more important than ever that small business owners use sourcing strategies to help them meet consumer expectations around fast deliveries. Online and international sourcing through the right platform can be a game changer for your small business as you look to stay competitive and thrive in today’s consumer landscape.

2024-03-25T07:01:00

(BPT) – LaQuilla Harris, a devoted mother, grandmother and retired property manager, led a healthy and active lifestyle for many years before her world gradually began to turn upside down.

Over the course of a decade, LaQuilla began to struggle with weight loss, insomnia, and debilitating anxiety and irritability. She was also experiencing dry, bulging eyes and vision changes. Despite visiting doctor after doctor, each of them failed to give her answers and find an effective treatment plan.

“At the time, I didn’t know what I was going through and that was hard. My family saw me struggling but nobody knew how to help me,” LaQuilla said.

LaQuilla continued to advocate for herself, seeing four separate doctors before eventually connecting with a team that understood her needs. Finally, after years of struggling, LaQuilla was diagnosed with Graves’ disease, when the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, causing it to become overactive and produce more thyroid hormone than the body needs, and Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) — an autoimmune condition that is separate from but related to her Graves’ disease and requires separate care.

While she was able to get her Graves’ disease under control rather quickly, unfortunately, her journey of managing TED has been a marathon of ups and downs. TED is a condition where your immune system mistakenly attacks the muscle and fat tissue behind your eyes, causing inflammation and scar tissue to form.

“Because my symptoms were undetected for so long, I first lost sight in my left eye and then rapidly lost sight in my right eye. I didn’t want anybody to see me. It was really challenging, both physically and mentally,” she said.

With the help of the right care team and a great deal of courage, LaQuilla pressed on toward reclaiming her health.

“I had a total of eight eye surgeries. Thanks to each of those surgeries, I finally have my vision back. Although my vision is not 20/20, I am very grateful for where I am today,” she said.

Now, determined to help others avoid similar challenges, LaQuilla continues to speak out about her journey with TED and ensure others living with a thyroid condition such as Graves’ disease or Hashimoto’s understand their risk.

For People Living with a Thyroid Condition:

• You are at an increased risk of developing TED. In fact, up to 50% of people living with Graves’ disease may develop TED
  • Women are up to five times more likely to develop TED than men
  • People who smoke increase their risk for TED eight-fold
• Make an appointment with a TED Eye Specialist such as an oculoplastic surgeon or neuro-ophthalmologist at the first signs of any changes in your eyes, such as eye pain, dry eyes, watery eyes, bulging, light sensitivity or double vision
• To find a TED Eye Specialist near you, visit FOCUSonTED.com and click ‘Find a Specialist’

Power of Positivity and Perseverance

LaQuilla’s story underscores the importance of self-advocacy and finding the right doctors. She wants those living with any undiagnosed symptoms to keep asking questions, seek second options and look for answers until they get the care they need.

“Never give up. Do not quit. Pull that strength from within you and know that you can tackle anything!”

Recently, LaQuilla was featured in a documentary project called ‘Portraits of Life with TED’ hosted by TED community group, Listen to Your Eyes. In the documentary, artist and rare disease advocate Rachel Mindrup interviews LaQuilla, Christine and Jake — all of whom live with TED — and creates one-of-a-kind portraits depicting each of them doing something they love — despite TED.

“I wanted my portrait to show me picking pecans off a tree, like I used to do when I was growing up. That feels like home to me,” LaQuilla said.

Her portrait will be revealed in the final installation of the documentary series later this year. In the meantime, LaQuilla continues to advocate for people living with TED and other autoimmune disorders. By sharing her story, she hopes to inspire others to push through adversity, continue advocating for themselves, and to find the light even in the darkest of times.

To learn more about TED and watch the first part of the documentary series, visit FOCUSonTED.com.

2024-03-25T09:01:00

(BPT) – What does financial progress look like to you? Whether you are working to put money away for a big-ticket item or trying to keep up with your utility bills, making financial progress can often feel like an uphill climb. However, with the right tools and mindset, it doesn’t have to be an unpleasant experience or a huge weight on your shoulders.

“You don’t have to overhaul your life all at once to make progress,” says financial educator, author and Chime spokesperson Tiffany “The Budgetnista” Aliche. “Taking the first step can simply look like shifting your mentality about your finances.”

Need some inspiration to get started making financial progress? Check out the ideas below. Spoiler alert: One of them involves paying it forward.

Create a budget. A recent survey¹ showed that nearly 50% of Gen Zers are already budgeting and tracking their expenses closely, which is the right step toward creating financial progress. Start by subtracting your essential monthly bills from your income and see how much money remains. Now — this is the part that’s really eye opening — how much of your remaining budget have you spent on eating out, nights out with friends, trips to the salon? Is there any wiggle room to cut back? Create a budget that works and stick to it, even just for one month.

Focus on building your credit. Smart money habits can help you boost your credit one swipe at a time. Consider opening a secured credit card, using it for essential expenses, and paying it off every month. Building your credit is the action that keeps giving and will come in handy when you’re looking to make big money moves like getting a loan or lower interest rates.

Open a high-yield savings account for an emergency fund. The goal is to save three to six months of living expenses to fall back on. This might sound unachievable, but you can make it easier by putting it on autopilot. Consider opening a high-yield savings account and automating a deposit into it from each paycheck. It’s foolproof. By creating a second account, you won’t be as tempted to dip into those funds on impulse purchases. And by automating the deposits, you won’t even have to think about it. Chime — the most loved banking app² — offers a high-yield savings account with a 2.00% APY³, which is more than four times the national average⁴, and a Round Ups⁵ feature, rounding up your debit card transaction to the nearest dollar and moving it into your savings. So while you’re building up your rainy day fund, they’re also working for you!

…and another one for fun. Just like most diets have cheat days, build in a little extra into your budget for the occasional splurge! Giving yourself some grace and a little wiggle room will make saving or cutting back in other areas easier in the long run.

Pay it forward. No, really! Generosity can move us all forward. In fact, Chime set out to prove people are more generous than you’d expect, even when trying to make financial progress, in a new video, “Pay Progress Forward.” Participants are offered how much money they said they’d need to unlock financial progress in their lives. Then Chime offers two options: double the amount they were given or take only what they need and give the rest to someone else in a similar financial situation. The result? Everyone chose to give the half away. It’s a moving testament to people’s generosity and willingness to help others climb. And, by the way, because they all chose generosity, it unlocked $1 million to be split among them.

Make the mindset shift. “By helping your community, you’re shifting from a scarcity mindset to one of abundance,” says Sara El-Amine, VP of Community at Chime. “When you realize that you have enough to pay it forward … even if it’s only a little, that’s a powerful shift. Also, by saving money for charitable giving, you’re changing spending habits, which will benefit your finances in the long and short runs. And the tax deductions don’t hurt either.”

As Aliche says, “When ‘I can’t’ becomes ‘I did,’ the world will open up for you.” To learn more, watch “Pay Progress Forward.” And check out how Chime can help you make financial progress, too.

Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC. The Chime Visa^® Debit Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. The Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa^® Credit Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted. Please see the back of your Card for its issuing bank.

This guide is for informational purposes only. Chime does not provide financial, legal, or tax advice. You should check with your legal, financial, or tax advisor for advice specific to your situation. Your state or local unemployment agency is responsible for making all determinations on your eligibility for unemployment benefits. Please contact your state or local unemployment agency if you have questions.

¹ Chime Survey: How Gen-Z Builds Wealth. Chime. (2023). https://www.chime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Chime-Gen-Z-study.pdf

² #1 Most Loved Banking App Source: Chime received the highest 2023 Qualtrics^® NPS score.

³ The Annual Percentage Yield (“APY”) for the Chime Savings Account is variable and may change at any time. The disclosed APY is effective as of September 20, 2023. No minimum balance required. Must have $0.01 in savings to earn interest.

⁴ The national average rate can be found on the FDIC’s National Rates and Rate Caps website here.

⁵ Round Ups automatically round up debit card purchases to the nearest dollar and transfer the round up from your Chime Checking Account to your Savings Account. Save When I Get Paid automatically transfers 10% of your direct deposits of $500 or more from your Checking Account into your Savings Account.

2024-03-22T09:01:00

(BPT) – Did you know broccoli is actually a cluster of unopened flowers? The popular green vegetable consists of tightly packed clusters of flower buds, all attached to a central stalk. Harvested before it blooms into flowers, broccoli is enjoyed for its tender texture and unique flavor. So when you’re eating broccoli, you’re basically munching on baby flower buds!

This is just one of many surprising facts about broccoli you may not know. In honor of National Broccoli Day (March 22), Mann Packing Company, the innovator behind Broccolini^® baby broccoli, is spotlighting one of America’s favorite veggies with these fun broccoli facts and trends.

1. Broccoli can be turned into beer

While it might sound odd, some breweries have experimented with broccoli as an ingredient in beer production. The process involves using broccoli as part of the brewing mash, where the sugars are extracted to ferment into alcohol. This unique approach adds a distinctive flavor to the beer, offering a creative twist to traditional brewing methods.

2. The heaviest broccoli ever weighed 35 pounds!

The Guinness Book of World Records notes that the heaviest broccoli ever recorded weighed a whopping 35 pounds. This remarkable feat was achieved by John and Mary Evans in the United States in 1993. Do you think they had a tough time getting their kids to eat their vegetables?

3. James Bond films were produced by a Broccoli

Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson are producers of the famous James Bond films, continuing the legacy of their father, Albert R. “Cubby” Broccoli, who co-founded the hit spy movie franchise. Interestingly, the Broccoli family claims the iconic green vegetable is actually named after them! (Spoiler alert: It’s not.)

4. Broccoli is ideal for the Mediterranean diet — because it was born there

Veggies like broccoli are key to following the health-conscious Mediterranean diet, with its emphasis on plant-based foods like vegetables, fruits, nuts and legumes. This seems fitting, since the broccoli you know and love was developed over many centuries of seed cultivation, with its origins in wild cabbage plants growing in the Mediterranean region.

Today, California holds the crown as the primary producer of broccoli in the U.S. thanks to its temperate climate, contributing 90% of the nation’s production. The U.S. ranks third globally in broccoli production after China and India, producing approximately 1.3 million tons annually.

5. Broccoli was once infused with bubblegum flavor

In 2014, a notable U.S. fast-food chain experimented with a quirky experiment that aimed to encourage vegetable consumption among children by infusing broccoli with bubblegum flavoring.

Food scientists blended strawberry, banana and cherry flavors that approximated the taste of bubblegum to add to broccoli, but somehow the novelty of this concept just didn’t catch on with kids.

6. The ‘Broccoli Cut’ hairstyle is trending with Gen Z

Have you seen this hairstyle? While also referred to as the “bird’s nest cut,” the “wet mop” or the “zoomer perm,” one of the most popular do’s among Gen Z that’s all over social media is most commonly called the “broccoli cut.” Why? Because it features a high fade on the sides and back, with a full head of curly hair on top.

7. Not all baby broccoli is Broccolini^®

While baby broccoli is trending in restaurants, it’s often misnamed as “broccolini” on their menus. The term “Broccolini^®” is actually a registered trademark of Mann Packing Co., Inc. of Gonzales, California — referring to the company’s proprietary type of baby broccoli, the first of its kind in the world — developed with an exclusive seed that produces long, tender, edible stems you can’t get anywhere else.

Broccolini^® baby broccoli is a natural hybrid of broccoli and Chinese kale (gai lan), which debuted in 1998 as a new vegetable grown exclusively by Mann Packing Company after an eight-year development period. With a flavor sweeter and milder than regular broccoli, Broccolini^® baby broccoli is 100% edible — from flower to stem — making it a great choice for taste as well as reduced food waste.

Learn more about broccoli, Broccolini^® baby broccoli and other tasty produce, including availability and recipe inspiration, at VeggiesMadeEasy.com.