LIFESTYLE BENEFITS

LDBLIFESTYLEBENEFITS.COMDISCLAIMER: The information contained herein is intended to serve as a general guide. Please consult your physician, insurance company and/or tax advisor for information specific to your individual needs.

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NOVEMBER2017

Happy, Healthy Choices

Health & Wellness

Cost TransparencyHealthcare cost transparency is the ability of the patient to discover how much a particular medical service or treatment costs, preferably before receiving the service or treatment. In practice, the cost of healthcare is largely unknown to the patients prior to treatment. Costs can vary from company to company and also from doctor to doctor, and this variation can make it extremely difficult for people to understand the costs of their treatments and plan financially for treatment.

Many healthcare reform initiatives aim to change the current system by educating consumers on the costs of their health care services. If you would like to know more, check out guroo.com. The site offers comparisons of national, state and local cost information for common health conditions based on 40 million individual insurance claims. You can also access similar information on your insurance company’s website.

Healthy Holiday SubstitutesIt’s hard to resist holiday desserts and signature dishes between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, but you can save a ton of calories with portion control and smart substitutes. Consider these healthy food swaps so you can go back for seconds guilt-free.

Swap full-fat dips for yogurt-based options.An ounce of sour cream has about 60 calories. However, an ounce of nonfat plain Greek yogurt has 15 to 20 calories. Make the switch and no

one will be the wiser.

Drink a wine spritzer.Replace 2 ounces of wine with club soda and you’ve already saved about 60 calories toward another slice of pie.

Choose pumpkin pie over pecan. Neither is exactly healthy, but with the pumpkin you’re getting lots of vitamin A, calcium and iron, and saving about 200 calories.

Seasonal Affective DisorderGot the winter blues? You’re not alone — Seasonal Affective Disorder is a very common type of depression that affects more than 3 million people in the U.S. every year. Symptoms include fatigue, depression, feelings of hopelessness and social withdrawal. While this mood disorder tends to appear and fade with the seasons, it’s extremely important to monitor your moods and seek treatment if needed. See the chart below for possible treatments to make this season a happier one.

Beginner Cycling1. Get the right saddle. Don't think the thickest padding will give you the most comfortable ride. A longer seat with a cutout will generally be the best type of saddle. Read reviews and test ride a few to find what feels best.

2. Change position while riding. Move your hands around on the bars, and move around on the saddle. This will keep your hands, arms and rear from getting numb due to prolonged time in a given position.

3. Know the rules. Ride with traffic and obey all road signs. Consider adding lights to your bike and wearing reflective gear to make you more visible.

4. Stay alert. Look out in front far enough ahead so you can react to any obstacles in the road or on the shoulder in front of you. Storm drain grates that you don’t even notice in a car are hazards for skinny road bike tires. And limit distractions by leaving your headphones at home.

5. Keep track of your progress. Seeing how far you’ve come in your cycling journey can motivate you to keep going! Keep a schedule and record your time/distance using apps such as Strava or Map My Ride.

Treatment Methods of Treatment How it Works

Vitamin DLight therapy boxes, dawn simulators, Vitamin D3 supplements

Sit in front of a light box for 30 minutes a day (preferably in the morning) to stimulate your body’s circadian rhythms and suppress the natural release of melatonin. Take fat-soluble Vitamin D3 supplements with a healthy fat for maximum results.

Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT teaches people skills and coping mechanisms they can employ at any time, while light therapy requires spending a certain amount of time daily to reap the effects, while not feeling in control of emotions.

Aromatherapy Vaporized citrus oils Inhaling citrus oils could reduce anxiety and boost both serotonin and dopamine.