health benefits

7 Reasons You Shouldn't "Vacation Shame" Your Coworkers

Paul Michael — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 08:00:11 +0000

In 2015, Americans left 658 million vacation days unused. It's a problem that has continued to ingrain itself in the American way of life, and it's only going to get worse. It even has a name — "work martyrdom" — and one of the most troubling reasons for it is feeling guilty about taking paid time off.

Have you ever felt guilty about taking vacation, or made your coworkers feel guilty for taking time off? Well, you shouldn't. It's dangerous, and bad for both you and your company. (See also: 7 Ways to Actually Take All Your Vacation Days This Year)

1. Vacation is vital for good health

You wouldn't want to make your coworkers physically ill, but by guilting them out of their vacation time, you could be contributing to some very serious health risks. The Framingham Heart Study, the world's longest running study of heart disease, has some frightening statistics on vacation and health. The biggest — that men who failed to take a vacation for two years or more were 30 percent more likely to experience a heart attack than peers who took regular time off.

A Marshfield Clinic study showed that women who took at least two vacations per year were less likely to suffer from depression than those who don't take time off. Other research has shown that not taking vacation can also lead to higher blood pressure, stress, poor family relationships, and if you're extremely overworked, even suicide. So, it's vital to actually encourage coworkers to take time off, especially if they look worn out. (See also: Science Says We NEED to Take a Vacation)

2. Vacation refreshes the mind and body

Research has proved it; when you take a vacation, you are improving your mind and your overall health. And if you work with people who need to be great at their jobs in order to make you and the company thrive, then you should encourage vacation time.

A vacation is to a person what a reboot is to a computer that is slow, glitchy, and taking forever to do tasks that used to be done quickly. Mental breaks recharge the mind, and improve memory, productivity, and creativity — all vital in almost every job out there. You will find that although you may miss them when they're gone, your coworkers are upgraded versions of themselves when they return. And, they will be eager to dive in and get things done.

3. Vacation is just as much of a right as a bathroom or lunch break

Would you shame a coworker for daring to leave their desk for an hour to eat a meal? Would you point out that they could be doing valuable work when they are heading to the bathroom? Well, of course not. These are needs, and vacation is just as important as either of those.

Vacation time may not be granted by U.S. law, but most employers offer paid leave as part of the benefits package. It's right there with health care and sick time (which, by the way, people also feel guilty about taking).

The bottom line — every employee who takes paid time off has earned it, and they are simply using a benefit that comes with the position. In the case of people who don't get paid time off, which stands at around 25 percent, you have even less reason to shame them. They are losing money by taking this time, and that is a difficult financial decision for anyone to make.

4. Vacation keeps good employees at the company

An unhappy employee is one that is looking for another job. A 2015 Talent Trends survey found that one out of every three employees is actively looking for a new job. That's almost a third of the people at your company, right now, that wants out.

It is a fact that it costs a company a lot more money to replace employees than it does to retain them. For entry level employees, it's between 30 percent and 50 percent of average annual salary. That figure increases to 150 percent for midlevel employees, and a whopping 400 percent for high-level or specialized talent. And guess what? One of the big reasons people move on is the lack of a good work-life balance. (See also: 9 Signs Your Work-Life Balance Is Off)

It is in the best interests of your company to keep people around, because it will not be spending excessive amounts of money retraining staff. Want a raise? More travel? A promotion? It's more likely to happen if people aren't quitting due to lack of time off.

5. Vacation broadens the mind

Well, to be more accurate, travel broadens the mind. But it's a little hard to travel if you don't take a vacation.

In some careers, especially ones that require creative or lateral thinking, this can be a great asset to the company. A well-furnished mind is one that can draw from many life experiences. This can translate to new, innovative ideas and suggestions, and lead to positive changes at the company. This, in turn, can boost productivity and profits, and even lead to expansion.

Someone who is staring at the same four walls day after day, month after month, is not going to be as valuable to the company as someone who has gone out into the world and done something new. Your company needs people who are well-traveled, not overworked.

6. Vacation boosts organizational morale

Who wants to work in a company filled with miserable, exhausted, irritable employees? That's what you get if you work in an environment that vacation-shames people.

When you have very little to look forward to, coupled with a hectic work schedule and poor work-life balance, you're not going to be much fun to be around. Compare that to someone who is planning to go on vacation. They are recognizably happier and more enthusiastic, because they're looking forward to doing something fun. For those weeks, or months, they bring a sunny disposition with them to work. Then, they go on vacation and come back rested, refreshed, and ready to help.

This is all good for the company, and good for you. You will get a lift from their energy, instead of being dragged down by morale that's in the gutter.

7. Vacation leads to better performance reviews and higher salaries

Put this in the "strange but true" category if you like, but a 2006 study by Ernst & Young found that each additional 10 hours of vacation an employee took led to performance reviews that were 8 percent higher the following year. And, of course, higher performance reviews lead to increased salary bumps, promotions, and greater opportunities within the company.

Why would this be? Well, look back at all the reasons given in this article for taking a vacation, and the answer becomes obvious. Employees that take vacation are sharper, happier, healthier, and more productive than coworkers who do not take time off. Naturally, this translates to better performance at work, a better attitude, and a better review.

So, even if you're not vacation-shaming anyone (and hopefully that's the case), you should look at your own vacation plan and increase your days off. It will positively impact your career.

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This article is from Paul Michael of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

6 Surprising Health Benefits of Growing a Garden

Marla Walters — Wed, 17 May 2017 09:00:09 +0000

We all know by now that we should be increasing the vegetables in our diet. We also know that we can save a ton of money at the grocery store if we grow our own herbs, fruits, and vegetables. But what other benefits are there to gardening, beyond eating what you grow? Here are six surprising reasons to get out into the dirt and perfect your green thumb. (See also: 13 Simple Gardening Skills Anybody Can Master)

1. Fight depression

Gardening may be the key thing to lifting your spirits and battling depression. According to Psychology Today, tending plants can give you a sense of responsibility, provide you with something to nurture, keep you connected to other living things, and help you relax. What's more, when you exercise by working in the garden, your endorphins rise and your stress levels fall.

2. Cut your risk of Alzheimer's disease

In a study released by the Journal of Alzheimer's disease in 2016, researchers found that your risk of Alzheimer's could be reduced by various physical activities. The study measured the changes in the brain using MRI scans in correlation to increased exercise. It concluded that even low-intensity activities such as walking improved cognitive function by increasing gray matter in the brain. So even though gardening might not be as strenuous as attending a kickboxing class at the gym, this activity will help safeguard your brain as you age.

3. A chance to socialize

Have you been feeling a little lonesome? Explore getting a plot in a community garden. There, you can happily toil along with others as you maintain your growing fruits and veggies. You can also exchange produce, compare techniques, and swap seeds.

Those interactions have real health benefits. Researchers at Brigham Young University who analyzed existing studies found that while loneliness is associated with early death as much as obesity, socializing with others can help you live longer. So even on days when you're not up for small talk, head to the community garden and you might just add years to your life.

4. Soak up some vitamin D

Does your doctor think you are getting enough vitamin D? If not, remember that regular sun exposure will provide vitamin D — which regulates your calcium levels and helps you maintain healthy bones and teeth. Be sure to use sunscreen, of course, but soak up those rays when you can.

5. Meditate

For a long time, I watched my neighbor, May, squat and pull weeds from her lawn. Why didn't she use a chemical to do the work for her, I wondered. As it turns out, it's meditative. She enjoys the birds, the sunrise, and the satisfaction of getting rid of weeds. She finds it therapeutic to work repetitively, one weed at a time.

6. Absorb some healthy bacteria

Mycobacterium vaccae is the scientific name for a healthy bacteria that naturally lives in soil. Amazingly, it has been found to trigger the release of serotonin in humans and mice, and that can elevate your mood and decrease anxiety. How cool is that?

More studies are being done to determine how effective M. vaccae is at treating mental health disorders via pill, vaccination, or inhalation, but until you can purchase this in the vitamin section of your local grocery store, you might be able to soak up the benefits by getting your hands dirty in the garden.

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This article is from Marla Walters of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

11 Retail Gigs That Pay Well and Offer Benefits

Kyle James — Thu, 20 Oct 2016 10:00:11 +0000

I always find the correlation between good hourly pay and and strong customer service to be interesting. It seems the better taken care of the employees are (making decent wages and getting good benefits), the happier they'll be at work. With that in mind, here are 11 places to work that not only have an average hourly pay rate over $10, but also offer pretty nice perks to boot.

1. ALDI Grocery Chain

The ALDI grocery chain offers a very competitive salary and benefits package. According to Glassdoor.com, associates make on average $11.88 an hour, with store managers making in excess of $60,000 annually. They also offer a very good medical and dental plan for all full-time employees. The 401K contribution match at ALDI is dollar for dollar match on the first 5%. Additionally, part-time employees with at least 25 hours are eligible for medical/dental benefits.

2. Costco

A job at Costco Wholesale has always been in high demand, and when you delve into their salary and benefits package, you start to understand why. The average cashier at Costco earns a very competitive $14.63 an hour and a stocker earns $13.34 hourly. Their excellent benefits package, which includes dental, vision, and medical, is available to both full and part-time employees. Full-time workers are eligible after 90 days of employment and part-timers after 180. More cool perks include Sunday overtime which starts at about $17.50/hour and a 401K program which matches your contribution at $0.50 for every dollar, up to $1,000, for your first year. Throw in a stock purchase plan that waives all fees and commissions and Costco can be a very lucrative place to work.

3. H&M Fashion

H&M hourly employees come in at about $10.95 per hour with a strong benefits package to both part-time and full-time employees. The fact that they offer medical and vision plans to ALL employees is what makes H&M stand out from other clothing retailers. They then go one step further and offer perks like pet insurance, 401Ks with company match, life insurance, Metlife auto insurance, plus a liberal 25% employee discount on all in-store purchases. You'd be smart to add H&M to your "must-apply" job list.

4. IKEA

The Swedish furniture and home décor company known as IKEA can be a financially rewarding place to work. Their average pay for sales associates averages a solid $11 per hour. Also, if you work more than 20 hours per week, you'll qualify for health benefits. All employees will qualify for a 401K plan (5% match), paid time off and a generous 15% employee discount even on clearance and "as-Is" products.

5. & 6. Lowe's and Home Depot

I think it's fair to group both Home Depot and Lowe's together, as their salary and benefit packages are quite similar. The average customer service associate at Lowe's earns a respectable $11.05 an hour, while Home Depot pays about $11.40 per hour. Both home improvement warehouses offer benefits packages that are fairly solid for full-time workers, but are quite expensive for part-time workers. As a matter of fact, part-time employees at Lowe's have to pay for their entire first year health plan and 40% thereafter.

7. Nike Store

Nike Store employees are paid on average slightly above $10 an hour. Their benefits package is what makes them stand out. While full-timers are offered medical and dental shortly after employment, part-timers with at least one year of employment under their belts are offered a very competitive health coverage with a reasonable $1,000 deductible. Once your deductible is met, Nike will pay for 80% of any accrued medical costs. All employees are also offered a 15% discount toward the purchase of Nike stock. They also encourage their employees to buy Nike gear as they offer a 30% discount at the Nike Outlet and 20% off all purchases at NikeTown.

8. Nordstrom

The average sales associate at Nordstrom makes about $11.70 an hour plus commission, which starts at 6.75% but can vary by department. Some savvy Nordstrom sales employees have even earned upwards of $1 million dollars annually. While it appears Nordstrom offered health benefits to part-timers at one point, this no longer seems to be the case. Only full-time employees are eligible for medical and dental these days. Also, all employees score a 20% discount on Nordstrom merchandise, and 33% when you reach management level. Not too shabby. Throw in a competitive 401K plan with company matching, and they are one of the most solid retail jobs going today.

9. REI Co-Op

Hourly sales associates at REI make $11.40 on average, but it's their commitment to employee satisfaction that's remarkable. For example, on Black Friday last year, REI was one of only a couple large retailers that closed their doors and told their employees to stay home and spend time with family. They even offer workers two paid days off per year, called "Yay Days," to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors. They also offer a competitive benefits package that both part-time and full-time employees are eligible for. On top of that, all employees get a 50% discount on REI-branded products and 30% on all other brands. Toss in one of the better employee 401K plans, with 6% matching, and REI might be a smart place to apply.

10. Trader Joe's

Right off the bat, Trader Joe's is a highly desirable place to work as hourly employees make around $13.50 an hour. They are also one of the only grocery chains that offers health and dental benefits to part-time workers who work at least 30 hours a week. Work less than 30 hours a week, and they'll cut out the medical coverage. Throw in a free gym membership after six months of employment, a 10% employee discount, and it's no wonder that Trader Joe's employees typically have smiles on their faces and a kind word to exchange with shoppers.

11. Whole Foods

The average hourly rate for Whole Foods employees is a couple dollars less than Trader Joe's at about $11.50 an hour. While expensive for part-timers, if you work at least 20 hours a week, you'll be eligible for a high-deductible medical plan. They do beat Trader Joe's when it comes to their 20% employee discount, which is a nice money-saving perk. Also, they have some cool employee perks like paid time-off, massage therapy, language classes, and even yoga classes.

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This article is from Kyle James of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

7 Employer Benefits That Can Leave More Spending Money in Your Pockets

Dan Rafter — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 17:18:53 +0000

Looking for a new job? Don't go by salary alone. Look at all the perks that your potential new employer offers.

The Society for Human Resource Management reported that 35% of U.S. companies increased the amount of benefits they offered employees in 2015. Some of these companies began offering more vacations or even free health insurance for their workers' cats and dogs.

Here is a look at seven of these more unusual employee benefits that could leave you with a fatter wallet each year.

1. Tuition Assistance

The Society for Human Resource Management found that 52% of companies in 2015 offered some form of tuition assistance for employees seeking a graduate degree. This is a valuable perk. Peterson's, a Web portal offering information for current and potential college students, reported in 2015 that the average cost for a master's degree was $30,000 at public universities and $40,000 at private universities. FinAid.org says that the average annual cost for a graduate degree — depending on what type of degree you are seeking — ranges from $30,000 to $120,000.

2. Transit Subsidy

The Society for Human Resource Management reported that 13% of companies in 2015 offered transit subsidies to help cover the costs their employees pay to get to and from work. Again, this benefit can add up: In June of 2015, Citi's ThankYou Premier Commuter Index found that workers spent an average of $2,600 to get to and from their jobs.

3. Health Club Memberships

Employers want their workers to remain healthy. Employees who aren't sick can complete more reports, close more sales, and build more widgets. It's not surprising, then, that many offer either full or discounted memberships to local gyms or health clubs. If your employer offers this perk, take advantage of it. IBISWorld reported that in 2014 the average member of a gym paid $41 a month in membership fees. This means that a free membership to your area gym could save you about $490 a year in fees.

4. Vacation Spending Money

A 2014 Forbes story highlighted the vacation spending money that Moz, an SEO and marketing company, was providing to its employees. According to the story, Moz offered employees $3,000 in vacation reimbursement to help cover the costs of their food, lodging, entertainment, and transportation while they vacationed across the globe. This might seem excessive, but some employers worry that their workers aren't taking enough of their vacation days. A vacation voucher might encourage some to unplug from the working world for a week or two, allowing them to return to the office recharged.

5. Pet Health Insurance

Pets can rack up some big medical bills. And insuring pets can be costly. Bloomberg Business cited numbers from the American Pet Health Insurance Association showing that in 2013 it cost an average of $457 a year in annual premiums to insure a dog and $290 for a cat. The good news? The Society for Human Resource Management reported that in 2015, 9% of employers offered employees access to free or discounted pet health insurance.

6. House Cleaning Services

Too tired after a long day at work to clean your house? You're not alone. It's why so many people hire professional house cleaning services. These services aren't cheap. Angie's List in 2014 reported that its members paid an average of $100 to $150 every two weeks for a professional house cleaning. In 2015, Payscale.com cited one example of this cash-saving benefit: Tech company Evernote provides its employees with free house-cleaning services two times a month.

7. Free Netflix

Love streaming movies at home? Then maybe you can find an employer that offers free subscriptions to Netflix. That 2014 Forbes story on unique company benefits said that some employers offer free subscriptions to Netflix and other streaming services — in addition to free magazine and newspaper subscriptions. Netflix is now charging new members $8.99 a month. These means that if your employer gives you free access to the streaming service, you'll instantly nab $107.88 a year in extra spending money.

Does your employer offer any cash-y benefits?

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This article is from Dan Rafter of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

10 Surprising Ways a College Education Will Improve Your Life

Mikey Rox — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 09:00:11 +0000

Sure, we've all heard the statistics about the lifetime earnings power of having a college degree. But if you or the people around you are doing okay without college, perhaps you think a degree is unnecessary. This might be true in some cases (I've written a post recently that defends the argument against a college degree), but research also shows that a college education can improve your life in more ways than one.

Ultimately, though, it's your choice. So before you close the book on higher education, here are 10 surprising benefits of going to college to consider:

1. You'll Earn More Money

Graduates with a bachelor's degree earn about a million dollars more over their lifetimes than those with only some college education and a high school diploma. A Pew Research Center study on college-educated Millennials reports that college graduates between the ages of 25 and 34 working full-time earn roughly $17,000 more a year. And according to College Board's Education Pays Study 2013, the average "college graduate who enrolls at age 18 and graduates in four years can expect to earn enough by age 36 to compensate for being out of the labor force for four years."

2. You'll Acquire More Assets

Since college graduates on average earn more than their peers with a high school diploma, they typically have more assets. According to the USC Center for Higher Education Policy Analysis, people who attend some form of college usually save more of their money. They also have more assets, such as homes, cars, and investments.

3. You'll Face a Lower Unemployment Rate

Although there's no such thing as true job security (ask anyone you know… except your tenured professors), the unemployment rate is lower among those with a college education. The Pew Research Center study found that only 3.8% of those with a bachelor's degree were unemployed in 2012, compared with 8.1% of those with an associate degree or some college and 12.2% of those with a high school diploma. The percent of those living in poverty with a bachelor's degree and high school diploma were 5.8% and 21.8%, respectively. You don't have to be a math major to note the discrepancy.

4. You're More Likely to Have a Pension

A college education also increases the likelihood of enjoying a comfortable, more secure retirement. The College Board study reports that in 2011 only 52% of full-time employees were offered pension plans by their employers. Meanwhile, 65% of employees with a bachelor's degree and 73% of employees with advanced degrees were provided with pensions.

Even if your company doesn't offer a pension plan (which is becoming more and more common, by the way), earning more with a college education puts you in a better position to open a 401K or IRA and contribute a greater percentage of your income.

5. You're More Likely to Have Health Insurance

If you don't have health insurance, it only takes one medical emergency to completely ruin your financial life or wipe out your savings account. This is less likely to happen if you have a college education. The College Board found that people with at least a bachelor's degree were more likely to receive health insurance through an employer. In 2011, employers only provided health insurance to 55% of full-time employees with a high school diploma, whereas 69% of employees with bachelor's degrees and 73% of employees with advanced degrees received coverage.

6. You'll Live a Healthier Lifestyle (After You Graduate, of Course)

There's a connection between a college education and a healthier lifestyle. In 2012, only 8% of people with at least a four-year degree were smokers, compared to 25% of high school graduates and those without a high school diploma.

College graduates also were less likely to be obese. Looking only at adults between the ages of 25 and 34, the study found that 68% of college graduates engaged in vigorous exercise at least once a week, compared to only 40% of high school graduates. Because college-educated people typically adopt healthier habits, they also live longer.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "Men without a high school diploma have a life expectancy 9.3 years less than those with at least a bachelor's degree, whereas women without a high school diploma had a life expectancy 8.6 years less than those with at least a bachelor's degree."

7. You're Able to Spend More Time With Your Children

A college education may also improve your family life, giving you more quality time with your children. College Board reports that mothers with a four-year college degree spend on average about "51% more time on their children's activities than employed mothers with only a high school education." For those mothers with children under the age three, the amount of playtime spent with their children also increased with education.

8. You're Less Likely to Live With Your Parents

College-educated adults are more likely to be financially independent and less reliant on their parents (after college, that is). In 2012, only 12% of college-educated Millennials lived in their parents' home, compared with 16% of those with a two-year degree or some college, and 18% of high school graduates, says the Pew Research Center.

9. You'll Experience a Higher Rate of Career Satisfaction

If you're in a dead-end job, you might hate going to work every day, and your job might impact your day-to-day happiness. Although a college degree doesn't guarantee you'll enjoy your work, research proves that career satisfaction increases with the level of education. Among workers between the ages of 30 to 45, "51% of those with at least a bachelor's degree reported being very satisfied with their work, compared to only 42% of those without a high school diploma, and 47% of those with a high school diploma," reports College Board.

10. You'll Gain the Ability to Make Better Decisions

Interestingly enough, a college education can help you become a savvier, more informed consumer. College doesn't only provide book knowledge to help you succeed in a particular field, it also teaches critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. You learn the importance of weighing the pros and cons before making a decision, and you're more likely to compare rates and prices, which helps you save money.

Did you go to college? What other ways has a college education improved your life? Let me know in the comments below.

This article is from Mikey Rox of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

10 Surprising, Non-Physical Benefits of Exercise

Tara Struyk — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 13:00:06 +0000

Sad fact: Research suggests that about half of people who begin a regular exercise program will throw in the (sweaty gym) towel within six months. Maybe the weight didn't come off, or the six-pack never appeared. For all the time and energy and delayed-onset muscle soreness that exercise entails, some days it just doesn't seem worth the effort. (See also: 7 Simple Ways to Get Motivated for Your Workout)

But you might be surprised to learn that the benefits of working up a sweat go far beyond your bicep strength or belly fat. Here are 10 surprising non-physical benefits of exercise that are just as important as a number on the scale.

1. Better Cognitive Function

Smaller butt, bigger… brain? It looks that way. In fact, exercise's benefits to the brain are well documented. Various studies have shown that cardiovascular exercise can help create new brain cells and improve overall brain performance by boosting the level of a brain protein that is believed to contribute to decision-making and learning. How's that for a reason to rock those spandex (smarty) pants more often?

2. Better Mood

There are nearly 50 antidepressant drugs on the market today, but one of the most powerful antidepressants doesn't even require a prescription: exercise.

In 2000, researchers at Duke University compared the antidepressant effects of aerobic exercise to a popular antidepressant. What they found is that the group who exercised for about 40 minutes for three to five days per week experienced the greatest antidepressant effect. By increasing blood flow to the brain and releasing endorphins and serotonin, the body's natural antidepressants, exercise can influence brain chemistry in a positive way. If the thought of hitting the gym sometimes make you miserable, don't be fooled into skipping out; research says you'll come out happier than when you went in.

3. Better Sleep

I've never been a great sleeper, but on the days when I manage to get in a good, long run, I can collapse into bed and sleep like a log not long after dinner, spandex pants and all. Most studies link regular exercise to better sleep, even for those who suffer from serious insomnia. There's only one catch: It takes a while to work. Research shows that insomniacs who add exercise to their routines fall asleep faster, sleep longer, and report higher quality sleep than those who are less active, but the effects don't appear for several weeks. If you're working out and sleeping poorly, keep it up. Better sleep is on the way.

4. Better Sex

Research suggests that exercise makes sex better. By improving blood flow — to everything — sex can have a positive effect on sexual response and even prevent erectile dysfunction. Exercise also boosts endorphins and improves body image, helping put people in the mood. Experts also say that sex is a pretty decent form of exercise. You literally can't lose here, people; train for each by doing the other.

5. More Confidence

We often assume that exercise will make us feel better about ourselves because it'll make us look fitter, stronger, and healthier. But that's only partly true. In fact, exercise has been shown to improve self confidence no matter what you see in the mirror. According to research, the act of simply getting out and doing a body good will make you feel better about yourself, no matter how long or hard you push yourself — and no matter how much muscle tone you do or do not develop as a result.

6. More Creativity

We don't often think of artists as hard-body types, but many creative folk — particularly writers — are known to be avid and regular exercisers because they're in on a little secret: Inspiration is often found in motion. The philosopher and author Henry Thoreau claimed his thoughts began to flow "the moment my legs began to move." Got writer's block? Working out a creative problem? Exercise is likely to help boost your creative thinking. Your next great idea may only be a few steps down the road.

7. Better Control of Addiction

Having trouble quitting smoking? Or maybe you drink a bit more than you'd like, or even suffer from more serious addiction problems. Exercise can help with that. Addiction is based on the release of dopamine — a feel-good hormone — in the brain. This is what people become addicted to, therefore becoming addicted to whatever produces it, whether cigarettes or drugs or even sex. Fortunately, exercise produces dopamine too, making it a healthy alternative to more damaging addictions — and maybe even making bad habits easier to kick.

8. More Energy

It seems a bit counterintuitive, but expending more energy through exercise can help boost energy levels, even for those suffering from severe fatigue. But don't overdo it; if you're really worn out, a shorter, lower intensity bout of exercise has been shown to have the most positive effect.

9. Fewer Wrinkles

Maybe the fabled fountain of youth isn't a fountain at all. In fact, research suggests that it's probably a swimming pool — for swimming laps. No matter your age, exercise will improve your strength, endurance, posture, metabolism, and overall health. Those things can all help you look and feel younger. But the effects of working up a sweat are far more powerful than that; a recent study found that exercise can actually reverse the skin's aging process. If you're buying fancy wrinkle creams, consider diverting the money to a gym membership instead.

10. Better Memory

Remember how I said that exercise can improve cognitive function? If you don't, you might need more exercise, which has been found to have a powerful impact on memory, particularly as we age. Regular exercise actually boosts the size of the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for verbal memory and learning. It may even help prevent dementia. Now, if you can just remember where you put your running shoes…

People exercise for so many reasons, but exercise is such a physical pursuit that it's easy to forget that not all its benefits are entirely physical. As it turns out, exercise is good not just for you body, but for, well, just about everything else. Okay, maybe not everything, but its stress-relieving properties are well-documented, so at least it'll help take the edge off whatever else life throws your way.

What does a good hard workout do for you?

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This article is from Tara Struyk of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

9 Hidden Health Benefits of Living on the East Coast

Joe Epstein — Thu, 01 May 2014 09:24:26 +0000

What with the West Coast's seeming monopoly on juice cleanses, relaxed work schedules, and year-round sunshine, life on the East Coast might not seem like the healthiest choice. But dig a little deeper — even deeper… like, under those three feet of snow — and you'll find all sorts of hidden health benefits to living there. (See also: It Pays to Relocate to These 6 Places)

1. Less Flying Time

Unless you're frequenting Hawaii or Asia, living on the East Coast means spending less time on international flights to many popular business and vacation destinations. And this, in turn, means less exposure to the health risks of spending time in airplane, which account for about 14,000 medical emergencies on the nine major US airlines every year. While crashes hog the spotlight, the real danger with long flights is Deep Vein Thrombosis (DTV), a condition wherein blood starts to clot in the legs before potentially moving to the lungs or heart, and can, in extreme cases, even be fatal. (See also: How to Travel Without Getting Sick)

2. Fewer Drunk Drivers

The above of course assumes that you even make it to the airport: no mean feat in California, which had nearly 214,000 DUI arrests in 2013, topping the list of most infractions by state and beating the runner up by over 150,000 arrests. The East Coast, on the other hand, had only one state in the top 10 according to data released by the CDC.

3. Faster Walkers

So clearly, walking's the only health-conscious way to go. Specifically: walking fast. Researchers at the National Walker's Health Study found fast walkers had significantly lower death rates than those slow walkers. And while the East Coast's population density means more walking in general, its urban design (specifically that of New York City) means more people walking with more speed. Thus more health.

4. A Conspicuous Lack of Earthquakes and Tornadoes

Best illustrated by this New York Times disaster map, East Coasters have comparatively little chance of being sucked up into a towering wind funnel or dropped into a schism formed by shifting tectonic plates. Both of which can presumably have adverse health effects. (See also: America's 10 Safest Cities From Natural Disasters)

5. Allergies Be Gone

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, New England is one of the least allergy-ridden regions in the country, based on pollen score, the number of certified allergists, and the average medication use per patient. Seven New England cities made the top 30%.

The Cold Will Cure What Ails You

Last but certainly not least, there are loads of health benefits to living in the cold-weather climates that make up much of the eastern seaboard. Studies have shown that cold weather:

6. Burns Calories

Researchers in 2012 concluded that lower temperatures can trigger "brown fat", a type of body fat that burns harmful "white fat."

7. Reduces Inflammation

Everyone knows that ice can fight swelling, but a study at the National Institute of Sport, Expertise, and Performance in Paris found that runners in cold weather healed faster from muscle damage. (See also: Natural Ways to Relieve Sore Muscles)

8. Kills Disease-Carrying Bugs

According to the Harvard Health Letter, cold climates are less hospitable for mosquitoes and ticks (among other pests), reducing the chances of contracting illnesses like lime disease.

9. Heals Your Mind

Despite what your hear about Seasonal Affective Disorder and the depressive symptoms it can cause, Psychology Today reports that a number of studies have found warm weather and sunshine don't actually improve mood at all. What do help are warm or sunny days after cooler or darker ones, implying that more variable climates can do wonders for one's state of mind. (See also: Natural Ways to Change Your Brain and Be Happier)

So not only does the East Coast foster healthiness, it may create happiness as well.

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This article is from Joe Epstein of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

10 Great Reasons to Drink Wine

Mikey Rox — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 10:31:14 +0000

You may view wine as nothing more than a drink to complement your dinner. But while wine has an amazing way of bringing out the taste in certain foods, this isn't the only reason to enjoy an occasional glass. (See also: 10 Affordable Wines)

In moderation, wine has many surprising health benefits. So before you grab a beer, tea, juice, or (especially) soda to go along with your lunch or dinner, consider these 10 great reasons to drink wine.

1. Good for the Heart

If you're looking to reduce your risk of a heart attack or cardiovascular disease, a daily glass of red or white wine might be your ticket to a healthier heart. Red wine contains the powerful antioxidant resveratrol, which has been shown to reduce fat accumulation in arteries and improve heart function. And according to a study published in the Journal of Agricultural Food and Chemistry, white wines with high levels of the antioxidants tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol provide similar heart benefits.

2. Improves Lung Function

Not just a beverage for healthy heart function, white wine has also been linked to healthy lung function. University of Buffalo researchers reported, "drinking wine recently and over a lifetime was associated with better lung function." The study evaluated approximately 1,500 Caucasians and African-Americans with varying alcohol consumption and lifestyle habits. Participants were given a lung-function test, and based on the findings, the wine drinkers "had the highest levels of protective antioxidants in their blood" and better lung function.

3. Lowers the Risk of Cataracts

A family history of cataracts increases your risk for this eye disease, but there's good news if you're a red wine drinker. A 2001 study on age-related eye diseases in Iceland evaluated the link between cataract development and alcohol use. According to the study's findings, red wine had a noticeable protective effect, as both non-drinkers and "heavy drinkers of any sort of alcohol had a substantially increased risk for cataract development, while moderate red wine drinkers had only half the risk." The effects of white wine were not included in the study.

4. Reduces the Risk of Cancer

Whether it's colon, prostate, or ovarian, the antioxidants in a glass of red wine can fill your body with cancer-fighting properties. "A glass of wine a day may reduce the risk of ovarian cancer by as much as half," according to Australian researchers.

A second study revealed that the "daily amount of resveratrol in two glasses of wine can reduce the rate of bowel tumors by around 50%." And while regular alcohol consumption typically increases the risk for breast cancer, moderate consumption of red wine has the opposite effect — actually lowering the risk of breast cancer, say scientists from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. (See also: Natural Remedies for Stomach Pain)

5. Better Brain Function

Crossword puzzles and other brain activities can help ward off dementia and Alzheimer's. But while you're giving your brain a workout, don't forget to pour yourself a glass of wine. "Wine helps prevent clots and reduces blood vessel inflammation, both of which have been linked to cognitive decline," explains Tedd Goldfinger, DO, of the University of Arizona School of Medicine. (See also: How to Improve Your Memory and Get Smarter)

6. Stronger Bones

According to a recent study, milk isn't the only beverage of choice for strong, healthy bones. In postmenopausal women, one to two glasses of wine a day contributed to higher bone mass. This is because alcohol ups the body's production of estrogen, which reduces bone loss.

7. Reduces Risk of Diabetes

Moderate consumption of red wine helps control blood sugar. A 12-year study involving over 300,000 participates at Amsterdam's VU University Medical Center in 2005 revealed that "moderate drinkers have a 30 percent less chance of developing type 2 diabetes compared to their non-drinking counterparts." (See also: 10 Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Diabetes)

8. Healthier Skin

A good facial cream and skin cleanser aren't your only options for reversing the effects of aging. The antioxidants in wine, especially red wine, are shown to reduce wrinkles and fine lines. In moderation, wine can improve your overall appearance, helping your skin look its best.

9. Prevents Tooth Decay

You may steer clear of red wine in an effort to keep your teeth white. However, red wine is a key to healthy teeth. It reduces the risk of tooth decay, stops the growth of bacteria in the mouth, hardens the enamel, and reduces gum inflammation.

10. Lengthens Your Life

With all the amazing health benefits of wine, it's no surprise that moderate consumption can increase your lifespan. In fact, "Half a glass of wine a day can add five years to your life" claims a Dutch study that compared alcohol intake and mortality rates among 1,373 men within a 40-year timeframe.

And when compared to those who drink beer, an article published in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis says, "drinkers of wine benefit from its cardio-protective effects, more so than those who drink beer or other spirits, and may also live longer."

Do you have another reason why it's great to drink wine? Let me know in the comments below.

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This article is from Mikey Rox of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

5 Ways to Contain Rising Healthcare Costs

Barbara Weltman — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 23:52:57 +0000

Link:

http://www.openforum.com/articles/5-ways-to-contain-rising-healthcare-costs

Healthcare costs continue to rise, even skyrocketing for some businesses. Premiums for small businesses have grown by 113 percent in the last decade. Despite passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”) last year, there is no premium relief in sight. However, there are still actions you can take to provide the care you want for your staff to keep them healthy and protected without causing you financial hardship.

1. Check Your Plan Options

Health insurance doesn’t mean that you must have the Cadillac of plans to cover every health need. Such plans are very expensive. There are other types of plans, such as HMOs, that provide less costly coverage.

Some states may offer state-sponsored plans for small businesses and sole proprietors. For example, New York’s HealthyNY.com provides an option for small businesses and sole proprietors that meet certain income limits. Massachusetts, with its health care mandate, has a HealthCareConnector for employers to find affordable coverage within the state; eligible small businesses can save 15 percent by joining a wellness health care track.

Discuss your needs with an insurance agent who can offer a variety of health care plans. Or do your own research using the small employer health care finder from HealthCare.gov. The finder lets you search your options by zip code.

2. Tweak Your Coverage

One way to keep premiums down is to increase the portion of costs borne by employees, including deductibles and co-payments. To maintain premiums, you probably need to hike these out-of-pocket costs. While it will cost more to visit a doctor or obtain a medication, at least you’ll be able to retain coverage for your staff. Again, you’ll want to discuss the impact that proposed changes will have on your premiums. Obviously, once you make decisions, share them with your staff.

3. Share Costs

Many small business owners would love to pay for all of their employees’ coverage but just can’t do it financially. They’re forced to share the responsibility for paying for coverage. Some cost-sharing options to consider:

You pay the cost of coverage for an employee. Anyone who wants to add family coverage pays the additional cost;
You share the cost of coverage in some way (e.g., 50/50);
You give employees a dollar allotment and they choose the type of coverage they want from options you provide, paying any additional costs.

Important: The cost-sharing option you choose may impact your eligibility for a federal tax credit, explained later.

4. Use Consumer-Driven Plans

There is a growing trend toward consumer-driven plans because of the money that can be saved by the company. As of January 2011, there were 11.4 million people using health savings accounts (HSAs) (explained below). HSAs and health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) are plans that combine a personal account with a high-deductible (low cost) health plan (HDHP) in which the first dollars of care are borne by the employees. Once the deductible is met, the insurance operates like regular insurance.

Out-of-pocket medical costs can be paid through a couple of different accounts.

HSAs. These allow the employer, employee, or a combination of both to make tax-deductible contributions (within IRS-set limits). The funds grow on a tax-deferred basis and withdrawals for qualified medical costs are not taxable. There is no use-it-or-lose-it feature, so if employees don’t use up their account funds, they can use the funds in later years. If they leave the company, they take the accounts with them.
HRAs. These are employer-funded plans that cover employee’s out-of-pocket costs up to a dollar limit set by the company. Unused amounts carry over to the following year, but accounts are not portable; employees lose this benefit when they leave the company.

5. Take Advantage of the Federal Tax Credit

The small employer health insurance credit allows you to offset your federal income tax liability by 35 percent of the cost of the premiums you pay for your staff. When enacted last year, the government had expected 4 million small businesses to use the credit, but as of mid-October 2011, only 309,000 had done so, in part because many were unaware of its existence.

To qualify for the credit, you must meet all of the following conditions.

You pay at least 50 percent of the cost of the premiums for employees.
You have fewer than 25 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees. You may be able to meet this condition even if you have more than 25 employees because owners and their relatives who are employees are not counted.
The average annual wages for your FTEs are less than $50,000 per FTE.

The maximum credit applies if you have fewer than 10 FTEs with average wages under $25,000; a partial credit applies for more FTEs with higher wages until you hit the limits above. There are other limitations, restrictions, and requirements for the credit. Learn more in the instructions to IRS Form 8941.

More Resources

Handling the issue of health care coverage for your business can seem monumental. However, there are plenty of resources that can help. Here are two.

IRS Publication 969, Health Savings Accounts and Other Tax-Favored Health Plans (it has not been updated for 2011 and 2012, but still provides valuable, general information about plan types).
MyVenturePad’s free webinar on Rising Costs, Unclear Mandates.

This article is from Barbara Weltman of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

How Much After Healthcare Reform?

Julie Rains — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 03:25:17 +0000

Link:

http://www.openforum.com/idea-hub/topics/money/article/how-much-after-healthcare...

How much will healthcare reform cost or save your small business? It depends.

The intent of federal legislation is to make healthcare coverage more affordable for small businesses. The definition of a small business in regard to eligibility criteria, requirements, incentives, and disincentives vary. In general, though, companies with 50 employees or less that offer healthcare coverage stand to benefit most from recent legislation

Cost savings could be realized through 1) tax credits, 2) lower costs of medical coverage based on SHOP Exchange rates along with changes in insurance underwriting guidelines, and 3) lower administrative costs associated with streamlined delivery of services through Exchanges.

However, certain small businesses might spend increasingly more if they purchase relatively expensive health plans for their employees, triggering an excise tax. Though the policy issuers, generally insurance carriers, are responsible for paying this tax, there is concern that they may pass these expenses back to businesses in the form of higher premiums.

Tax credits starting in 2010, up to 6 years

For starters, small businesses that offer healthcare coverage (medical as well as dental and vision) could save money. Beginning in 2010, if your company has 25 full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) or less, and the average wage of your employees is less than $50,000 (not counting owners and family members), and your company pays at least 50% of employee-only insurance premiums, then you may be eligible for tax credits.

Businesses could recoup up to 35% of premium costs from 2010 to 2013 and 50% of these expenses for two more years, starting in 2014. For more information, see the IRS's three-step process to determine initial eligibility and the White House's Health Reform Small Business Guidance.

Cost savings on healthcare premiums and administrative costs, starting in 2014

Small businesses should have greater access to affordable healthcare insurance plans primarily because of Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Exchanges and related legislative mandates. Underwriting guidelines favoring community rating rather than individual rating and consumer protections address insurance practices that often resulted in excessively high expenses for many small businesses.

Specifically, Kaiser Family Foundation's Health Reform Implementation Timeline indicates these new requirements mandated for implementation by 2014 consist of "guarantee issue and renewability and allow rating variation based only on age (limited to 3 to 1 ratio), premium rating area, family composition, and tobacco use (limited to 1.5. to 1 ratio) in the individual and the small group market and the Exchanges."

The Exchanges allow pooling of risk among many employees of multiple employer groups, similar to the risk advantages that large corporations with thousands of employees enjoy.

In addition to the possibility of lower rates initially, rates should hold steady over time; for example, one employee with a serious illness will have much less or even negligible impact on premium rates compared to dramatic increases that would have likely occurred prior to reform legislation.

There has been some controversy regarding unfair risk spreading due to community-rating requirements. However, federal rules are less strict than many states. For example, federal legislation limits age rating variation to a 3:1 ratio (that is, older employees can be charged up to 3 times the amount of younger employees) whereas New York and Vermont make age rating illegal and other states control variations at rates lower than federal rules. Wherever a company is on the age spectrum now, limits to age ratings should allow the business to control fluctuations in costs over time, even as its employee population ages.

Excise tax on high-value plans, starting in 2018

The 40% tax on relatively expensive healthcare coverage (commonly referred to as "Cadillac" plans) will be charged to the company that issues the insurance policy, which might in turn add to the policy fee, causing costs to spiral upward. The tax is on the amount that exceeds the value of the thresholds, which are $10,200 for individuals and $27,500 for families.

However, these thresholds will be higher for employee groups that have higher healthcare costs because of factors such as age or high-risk occupations. And, the threshold will be increased for all groups if healthcare costs rise higher than expected in 2018.

Steps to take now in order to control spending later

1. Consider the value of offering healthcare insurance in attracting and retaining a qualified workforce, often the cornerstone of an employee benefits package.

2. Decide whether you want to begin or continue offering medical coverage to your employees.

3. Evaluate your current plan coverage, its appeal to your employees, and its value compared to employer plans in your geographic area and industry.

4. Monitor the development of state-based SHOP Exchange offerings and insurance programs (see RAND Health COMPARE for information on state initiatives).

5. Read more about federal legislation (see Summary of Health Reform Law) and stay alert to possible changes in guidelines.

This article is from Julie Rains of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Pom - Wonderful?

Andrea Karim — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 19:16:46 +0000

The health benefits of pomegranates are something like folk wisdom outside of the Western world, and like green tea, are only starting to seep into the American consumer's consciousness. Not only are pomegranate-derived juices very popular, but the flavor is showing up in weird places, like yogurt. You know a flavor has made it once it's enshrined in yogurt.

Anyway, because the pomegranate is SO popular with everyone right now, I have to raise my objections over the company that really got the craze going. POM Wonderful, with their snazzy bottles and their brilliant marketing and their Oprah endorsement, found a way to turn acres of unwanted fruit trees into a massive trend. And bully for them. But I'm not buying it.

Well, I'm not buying POM Wonderful. Here's why:

It's just too expensive for what you get out of it. The POM Wonderful at my local Safeway sells for $4.50 for a 16 oz bottle. Custom bottles means a higher cost. Nice advertising means higher costs. I've noticed that POM changed their packaging from their distinctive glass bottles to distinctive plastic bottles. You may or may not know how I feel about that already.
Although POM claims now that neither they nor any of their subsidiaries conduct animal testing, all of their health claims (see below) were based on animal testing that they paid for. While I like pomegranate juice, I don't like the way POM went about makreting the product using all sorts of health claims about it - health claims that were taken from their OWN studies. It reminds me of that Kentucky Fried Chicken poster that explained how KFC can be a healthy part of a balanced diet. Sure, pomegranates are better for you than fried chicken, but doesn't it seem cynical that the company that is finding all these benefits is the same company that stands to make so much money from people believing in the benefits?
POM's juice cocktails contain more juices than just pomegranate, blueberry, and cherry. (POM does make pure pomegrante juice as well)Although the cocktails are pretty darn tasty, they're still getting away with giving you less pomegranate for your money. POM Wonderful's Pomegranate Cherry juice contains: pomegranate, cherry, apple, pineapple, plum, and aronia juices.

Here are my preferred alternatives:

Knudsen makes a variety of pure juices, one of which is pomegranate. That's pure pomegranate juice, with no other juices added. This was going to be my end-all solution to the issue of pomegranate juice, but this stuff is almost as expensive as POM. I swear that, a couple of years ago, it didn't cost as much - so I look for it on sale. When it goes on sale, it's maybe 70% the cost of POM Wonderful. I almost never see POM Wonderful on sale, but that might be because it's very popular here.
Trader Joe's sells organic, pure pomegrante juice at HALF the price of POM Wonderful - about $4 for 32 fl oz. Trader Joe's the solution to many of my frugal problems, but unfortunately, isn't a solution for people who live outside of metropolitan areas. Trader Joe's also does a nice variety of other juices - I like aronia and cherry.
I don't drink pure juice anymore - I like to cut it with soda water. It makes the juice go further, and I can reduce my caloric intake without sacrificing a tasty treat. Pure juice sugars are absorbed much more quickly by your blood stream than the sugars from, say, raw fruit because juices don't have nearly the amount of fiber to slow down the sugar absorbtion. A 16 oz bottle of pomegranate juice has roughly 300 calories - that's a lot, especially for something that doesn't really satisfy hunger or anything.

(Photo by kowabungat)

This article is from Andrea Karim of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: