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Showing posts from February, 2023

529 Plan: 5 reasons you should have one (or more)

529 Plan: 5 reasons you should have one (or more) Let's talk 529 plans. If you have or plan to have children, then you should know about 529 plans and have one for each child. 529 plans are state (or institution) sponsored tax advantaged savings accounts that encourage saving for future education costs ( source: sec.gov ).  Higher learning is EXPENSIVE! Wouldn't it have been a blessing if you had funds from a 529 plan to put towards or completely cover the cost of your education?!  Student loan debt is a huge burden that has far reaching impacts on the futures of borrowers. The effects can seem all encompassing; affecting the jobs you take, the ability to move out of your childhood home, own a home of your own, or start a family.  According to  educationdata.org , "the average federal student loan debt is $37,574 per borrower, [while] private student loan debt averages $54,921... [and] 20 years after entering school, half of the student borrowers still owe $20,000......

5 Benefits of Yoga

5 Benefits of Yoga Namaste. Let's talk Yoga. Yoga was one of the most common “prescriptions” when I worked in psychiatry. In fact, yoga can be offered as part of the therapeutic program at inpatient psychiatric hospitals. According to this  article , “yoga is the most commonly used complementary health approach in the United States.” And do you want to know the best part? There are no side effects! There are many reasons we could all benefit from practicing yoga. Let’s look at five benefits of yoga.   1. For your mental health Y oga is wonderful for your mental health because it teaches you how to breathe and focus on the present moment. When I worked in psychiatry, my mentor told me this: people who focus too much on the past are depressed, and people who focus too much on the future are anxious. Because you can’t change either. Learning how to focus on your breathing and to be fully present in the now can be a powerful emotional regulation skill and coping mechanism. Yoga ca...

Best Stain Remover for Stains on Clothing

Best Stain Remover for Stains on Clothing Let's talk stains on clothing. Clothing is a tricky topic. It's a need, but according to  the Pareto Principle , only 20% of our wardrobe is worn 80% of the time. For the purpose of this post, lets focus on the 20% of our wardrobe that’s getting the most action! You’re doing life in these clothes. Stains on clothing are inevitable.   During the COVID-19 pandemic, I got pretty good at removing stains on clothing. Since I have a somewhat messy toddler, I had a lot of opportunities to practice! Here’s what I learned.   The Basics The following principles apply to ALL stains: The best stain treatment is AVOIDANCE . If you know you or your child is likely to get messy, maybe pass on the family heirloom garment. If you can, opt for “play clothes” that you don’t mind getting dirty. Utilize aprons or bibs if you’d like to preserve the garments, but it’s not a huge deal if they get ruined. Have your tot go topless and/or pant-less (if it’s...

Why Can't I Sleep? 10 Steps for Good Sleep Hygiene

Why Can't I Sleep? 10 Steps for Good Sleep Hygiene Sleep is essential to function properly. Good sleep hygiene supports the ability to regulate emotions and hunger, manage stress, concentrate and complete tasks, learn, process and retain new information.  NOT getting enough sleep increases the risk of certain medical conditions  (nih.gov) . I’m sure you’ve heard or said the phrase, “I’ll sleep when I’m dead.” Or you’ve gotten the impression that the lack of sleep that accompanies parenthood is considered a badge of honor.  But there’s nothing admirable about sleep deprivation; in fact, it is  a torture method. Thankfully, our culture seems to be shifting its attitude towards rest. There’s no shame in resting; in fact, sleep should be a priority!   If you sleep well, then I don't care what you do (as long as it's safe)! But if sleep is a struggle, then you may benefit from implementing a good sleep hygiene routine.  Lifestyle changes should almost alway...

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Suffering from dry skin?! 5 things to stop doing to relieve dry skin.

Suffering from dry skin?! 5 things to stop doing to relieve dry skin.  Let's talk dry skin. Your skin is your largest organ, your body's interface with and protection from the environment. Keep it moisturized and intact! I trained in a dermatology office as a physician assistant student. Dry skin was a common complaint. Many clients were shocked at the advice they were given: "I paid a specialist copay for this?!" was a common sentiment. Relieve dry skin by stopping these 5 things, and you may save yourself a trip to the doctor's office! 1. Bathing Frequently  Water exposure can be drying and irritating. Reevaluate how many times you are bathing, and for how long. Consider decreasing the overall amount of time you are immersed in water.   2. Bathing in hot water Hot water is especially drying. In addition to the amount of time you spend in water, consider lowering the temperature of the water. Check out this  article  that says ideal water temperature is be...

Why Can't I Sleep? 10 Steps for Good Sleep Hygiene

Why Can't I Sleep? 10 Steps for Good Sleep Hygiene Sleep is essential to function properly. Good sleep hygiene supports the ability to regulate emotions and hunger, manage stress, concentrate and complete tasks, learn, process and retain new information.  NOT getting enough sleep increases the risk of certain medical conditions  (nih.gov) . I’m sure you’ve heard or said the phrase, “I’ll sleep when I’m dead.” Or you’ve gotten the impression that the lack of sleep that accompanies parenthood is considered a badge of honor.  But there’s nothing admirable about sleep deprivation; in fact, it is  a torture method. Thankfully, our culture seems to be shifting its attitude towards rest. There’s no shame in resting; in fact, sleep should be a priority!   If you sleep well, then I don't care what you do (as long as it's safe)! But if sleep is a struggle, then you may benefit from implementing a good sleep hygiene routine.  Lifestyle changes should almost alway...

Don't diet: follow this healthy eating plan instead

Don't diet: follow this healthy eating plan instead. Let's talk healthy eating. I don't diet nor do I typically recommend any specific diets. This is true in my personal life as well as my professional career as a physician assistant. Diets often backfire and fail; they can be too restrictive in terms of limiting calories, certain foods or entire food groups. Diets can lead to disordered eating and malnutrition. Instead, I follow and recommend guidelines to promote a healthy eating plan. I compiled a list of the most common recommendations in over a decade of working in mostly primary care fields.  According to this  Forbes article , over 40% of Americans are obese. Obesity is a risk factor for many medical conditions, so losing weight  is a worthy pursuit. Developing healthy eating habits should be part of a holistic plan for longevity and wellness regardless of your current or goal weight. Practical guidelines can help you create lasting lifestyle changes. Let's dig i...