Sleeping on your stomach is more likely to cause you to have a restless night sleep. Not only can it be difficult to get the rest you need, but the stomach sleep position can cause strain to both your neck and lower back. Sleeping on your back can cause back pain, especially if you already have back issues. It can also aggravate any issues you might have with sleep apnea or snoring. If you sleep on your stomach but with your arms wrapped around a pillow below your head, then according to some research, you are likely to have an outgoing and sociable personality. Unfortunately, you may not be as open to criticism as others. If you sleep with your arms down and close to your body, then you’re likely to have a quieter personality. If you sleep with your arms and legs spread out, then you’re probably a good listener and are less likely to want to be the center of attention. If you sleep in a fetal position, then your personality is probably going to be more on the friendly and sensitive side. The fetal position is also the most common position for women to sleep in and they are twice as likely to sleep this way than men. If you sleep on your side but with your arms out in front of you, then research shows that you’re likely to be openminded but stubborn about changing your mind once you’ve come to a decision. These are seven facts about sleep positions that you probably didn’t know about. Find out more about how sleeping can affect your health and for health advice in general, visit us at The Benefits Store today. #SleepPositions

In addition to ensuring you and your family get properly vaccinated, don’t forget to do the same for your pets. People forget that their pets are susceptible to illness as well. Use August to make sure their vaccinations are current. To help improve awareness of pet vaccinations, here are four facts about pet vaccination you should know: Pet vaccines don’t protect pets; they protect people as well. For example, rabies kills more than 55,000 people around the world every year. If your pets become infected, rabies is one of the diseases they can spread to your family. You will want to get your pets vaccinated against this deadly disease. Diseases once killed thousands of pets every year. Vaccinations helped nullify the impact these diseases had – but they haven’t necessarily died out. Without proper vaccinations, pets are still susceptible to many of the diseases that may not be as prevalent anymore. Pets are required to get vaccinated at a young age. If you have puppies or kittens, you should bring them to the vet to determine when they need their shots. Throughout the first six months, puppies will need to be vaccinated for distemper, measles, parainfluenza, DHPP, and rabies. Kittens will need shots for distemper, rabies, and feline leukemia. Both dogs and cats need regular booster shots every one to three years depending on the vaccine. For example, rabies shots should be administered every year. Rabies is often fatal for dogs, which is why it’s so important to keep to their vaccination schedule. These are a few important facts about pet vaccinations that you should keep in mind so you’ll remember to stick to your pet’s vaccination schedule. For more general advice about the health of your pets and your family, be sure to visit us at The Benefits Store today. #PetVaccination

Increasing Eye Problems According to a study done in 2009 by the National Eye Institute, nearsightedness has increased significantly since the 1980s. From 1979 to 2009, nearsightedness among Americans increased over 66 percent. Children are more at risk of developing eye problems in this day and age due to the prevalence of digital screens; computers, tablets, smartphones, portable video game systems… The reasons constant exposure to these screens could hurt their eyesight is because they emit high-energy visible blue light, which can damage the retinal tissue over the long-term. Improving Eye Safety It’s important that you pay attention to the eye safety of your children since they typically don’t keep track of their time staring at a screen. They are also very adaptable; they may not notice that their eyesight is worsening. There are a few ways you can help protect the health of your children’s eyes. First of all, monitor how often they use digital screens. Limit their recreational use. You should get them into the habit of taking frequent breaks. If they are in front of the computer doing homework for hours, encourage them to get up for five or ten minutes after every hour. You should also make sure that they get a professional eye exam at the age of six months, three years, and five years. If you see that they are having issues, such as constant squinting or eye-rubbing, schedule a checkup as soon as possible. For more health advice, be sure to visit us at The Benefits Store today.

Hepatitis C, which is the leading cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer, is by far the most dangerous. In 2016, there were 3,000 reported cases in the U.S. However, the CDC estimates that there may have been as many as 41,000 total cases. It’s become an emerging public health threat, which is why May was named Hepatitis Awareness Month. What Is Hepatitis C? Although Hepatitis C can be incredibly dangerous, it can be cured. The CDC estimates that over 3.5 million Americans have the disease and don’t even realize it. In fact, people can be infected for more than three decades without knowing, which is why the disease is often referred to as “the silent epidemic.” Roughly 70 to 80 percent of the people that catch it won’t experience any symptoms. Symptoms may be limited to feeling nausea or fatigue. Getting tested for it is important for these very reasons. Baby Boomers, in particular, should get tested since they are five times more likely to have it than other generations. Unfortunately, there’s no vaccine that will effectively prevent it because there are so many different strains of it. However, anyone that has contracted this type can take medication that will cure it. In fact, there is a 95 percent chance that the drugs developed to cure Hepatitis C will cure you completely, thereby eliminating the risk of liver cancer and cirrhosis. There are many steps you can take to help prevent it as well, including avoiding risky behaviors, such as sharing needles or personal items that might have blood on them. Even though there is a cure for the disease, many people are living with the disease and don’t realize it. Be sure to get checked this year. For more health news, visit us at The Benefits Store today.

The Impact of Beach Pollution Plastic waste breaks down at an extremely slow rate. For example, a plastic bottle that enters the ocean in 1986 won’t decompose until 2436. That’s still much faster than the length of time it takes for a glass bottle to decompose – it’s estimated a glass bottle that enters the ocean will take over a thousand years to begin decomposing. Not only are we filling the ocean with litter, but plastic tends to attract and concentrate other pollutants found in the seawater. This poses a serious contamination risk to the surrounding sea life and could affect human life as well. Additionally, trash in the ocean can cause entanglement and suffocation to sea life. The Benefits of a Beach Cleanup The following are two of the main reasons you should not only clean up after yourself when going to the beach, but also contribute to an organized beach cleanup: Keep the ocean clean – By keeping the beaches clean, less trash is going to end up in the water, which will result in fewer contaminants that could endanger local sea life. Help the local economy – By helping to clean up the beaches, you help to maintain their natural splendor, which can help keep the beaches attractive. The more attractive the beach remains, the more likely tourists will continue to visit, thereby helping boost the local economy. If you’re planning to enjoy the beaches this summer, then remember that July is Clean Beaches Month. Be sure to do your part by keeping the beaches clean or by joining a beach cleanup effort. For the latest summer-related news, be sure to visit us at The Benefits Store today. #Cleanbeaches

1. Pay attention to your junk food cravings When you think you’re having a craving for a certain junk food, it may just be your body telling you that you need something specific. For example, if your body needs sugar, you may just automatically think about your favorite sugary treat. Try to eat a healthy alternative, such as fruit, that contains healthier sugars that your body needs. 2. Indulge once in a while When someone breaks their diet by indulging in a junk food, they often give up on their diet altogether, thinking that it’s hopeless. However, it’s okay to indulge once in a while. Instead of eliminating junk food altogether, try eating it less frequently at first. When you eat junk food less frequently instead of stopping altogether, you’ll have fewer cravings to deal with, making it easier to eventually cut out of your diet altogether. 3. Use methods of distraction If you begin to feel a junk food craving, find an activity that will distract your mind. For example, playing video games for five minutes can help you forget about the junk food you were just thinking about. 4. Create an end-of-the-meal trigger End your meals with a certain habit, such as drinking a cup of tea. Your body will begin associating tea with the end of a meal, which means that when you have a craving, you could help to get rid of it by drinking a cup of tea. Use these four steps to learn how to deal with those junk food cravings, thereby allowing you to achieve your health goals. For more health tips or for assistance finding a health plan that best suits your needs, visit us at The Benefits Store today. #JunkFoodCravings

Depression Rates Among Americans According to the National Center for Health Statistics, American depression rates have not grown worse over the past ten years, there appear to be large disparities in those who do suffer from depression. In total, roughly eight percent of all Americans are reportedly depressed during any given two-week period. According to studies performed over a three-year period between 2013 and 2016, it was found that roughly 5.5 percent of American men experienced symptoms of depression. However, this number was almost twice as large for American women at 10.4 percent. It was also found that depression rates differed widely depending on the ethnicity and income level of a person. For example: 3.1 percent of Non-Hispanic Asian adults experienced depression 8.2 percent of Hispanic adults experienced depression 7.9 percent of non-Hispanic white adults experienced depression 9.2 percent of non-Hispanic black adults experienced depression According to the study, people with lower incomes were also more likely to experience symptoms of depression. Around 16 percent of those who live below the federal poverty level reported signs of depression, while only 3.5 percent of people living at 400 percent of the federal poverty level reported symptoms. The demographic least likely to experience depression was revealed to be men earning high incomes. Only 2.3 percent of this group experienced feelings of depression during the study period. There are many symptoms of depression, including sadness, anxiety, feelings of hopelessness, irritability, feelings of guilt, feelings of worthlessness, decreased energy, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, difficulty sleeping, changes in appetite and more. Depression affects all walks of life, but it affects some groups more than others, especially when comparing the depression rate of women to men. For more health tips concerning depression or for help finding a health insurance plan that will benefit you and your family most, be sure to visit us at The Benefits Store. #DepressionRates

There are several types of skin cancer – Melanoma is the skin cancer that most are familiar with, but it’s not the most common (although it is the most likely to grow and spread). The other main types of skin cancer include Kaposi sarcoma, lymphoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, basal and squamous cell skin cancers. Artificial tanning can increase the risk of skin cancer – According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, using a tanning bed can increase your risk of developing skin cancer by as much as 20 percent. This is because tanning beds often use UVA rays, which degenerate collagen and are more oncogenic. Using suntan lotion can help prevent skin cancer – Overexposure to the sun’s rays can increase the risk of skin cancer, which is why you should wear suntan lotion when you plan on spending time outside. You should get an SPF 50 product for the best results. Skin cancer is a genetic condition – Overexposure to the sun will increase your risk of developing skin cancer. Having a history of skin cancer in your family also increases your risk. You’re much more likely to develop it if your parents or siblings had or have melanoma, which means that you should be particularly careful when going out into the sun. For more information on skin cancer or about getting the proper health insurance, contact us at The Benefits Store. #SkinCancer

3D Printing on Skin University of Minnesota researchers were recently able to print electronics on a human hand for the first time using a basic 3D printer that cost less than $400, but the printer was slightly customized. The results were recently published in the academic journal Advanced Materials. In addition to successfully printing electronics onto a hand, the team was also able to print biological cells onto the skin cell of a mouse. Another innovation made by the team in customizing their printer is the ability to accommodate minor movements made by the body during the printing process. They were able to prevent these movements from disturbing the printing process by putting temporary markers on the skin and then scanning the skin, allowing the printer’s computer vision to adjust to any movements in real time. The way in which electronics were printed on a hand is quite innovative. A specialized ink consisting of silver flakes was used that could cure and conduct at room temperature, thereby preventing potential burns. Once printed, the electronic device could simply be peeled off. The Potential of 3D Printing on Skin This new breakthrough in 3D printing has a ton of potential! For example, soldiers could print chemical sensors onto their hands in the middle of the battlefield using a portable 3D printer. The technique could also be used to print cells onto the skin of patients who are suffering from skin diseases. 3D printing technology continues to advance at a rapid pace as new innovations are revealed every year. Find out more about how 3D printing can impact your life by keeping up with the latest health news at The Benefits Store today. #3DPrintingonSkin

Supervise children – Obviously, you should never allow kids to play with fireworks. However, it’s not uncommon for children to play with sparklers. While they seem relatively harmless, sparklers can injure youngsters. Make sure there are adults present to supervise when children handle sparklers. Only use legal fireworks – Although fireworks can be legally purchased in California, they must have a state fire marshal-registered seal. Have a bucket of water nearby – If you’re lighting fireworks, make sure you have a bucket full of water or a water hose nearby. If a fire breaks out, you should be able to immediately douse it. Be careful lighting fireworks – When lighting fireworks’ fuses, make sure you are not standing above other fireworks. Once lit, retreat to a safe distance. When lighting fireworks, also ensure there is nothing flammable nearby, like woodpiles. Don’t relight fireworks – Any fireworks that didn’t torch the first time shouldn’t be relit. It means they are malfunctioning and relighting could be dangerous. Douse used fireworks – Once your fireworks have burned out, douse them completely in water before you throw them away. If you don’t, they could catch fire in your trash. These are important firework safety tips that you should follow this Fourth of July. For more advice on staying safe this summer, visit The Benefits Store today. #FireworkSafety

Wear light clothing – Wear clothing that’s lightweight and loose-fitting to give your body a chance to breathe. Stay indoors – When it’s particularly hot out, make sure to stay indoors where it’s air-conditioned. If you’re outside and you begin feeling unwell because of how hot it is, duck into a place that has AC, such as a nearby store. Don’t leave anyone in the car – The car can get incredibly hot inside when the air conditioning’s turned off. Do not leave pets, kids, or older adults in the car, even if you’re only leaving temporarily. Stay hydrated – Drink lots of water. Your body needs water to keep itself cool and to prevent overheating. Check daily weather forecasts – You can avoid extreme heat by regularly checking local weather forecasts. Limit the activities you do outside to times it won’t be as hot, such as mornings or in the evenings. If you or someone you’re with suffers from a stroke as a result of the heat, call 911 immediately and move him/her to a cool place. Do not him/her anything to drink. Use cool, moist cloths to try to lower their temperature. If they have symptoms of heat exhaustion (heavy sweating, fast/weak pulse, dizziness, and/or nausea), move them to a cool place and help him/her sip water. Get medical help if he or she vomits or faints. Keep these tips in mind in case of extreme heat this summer and visit us at The Benefits Store today for more summer safety tips! #extremeheat

Could DNA Testing Be Problematic? DNA testing services have gained popularity recently as people are attempting to trace their genetic history and/or find long-lost relatives. However, it’s gotten so advanced police detectives can now mine DNA data in order to assist in criminal cases. Joseph James DeAngelo, who is 72 years old, was recently arrested as a suspect in the Golden State Killer case. The Golden State Killer has been linked with over 50 rapes and 12 murders over the course of a decade, from 1976 to 1986. But the case went cold decades ago. DeAngelo was found after detectives used a public genealogy database and everyone applauds his capture after decades of crime; his arrest allows victims’ family members closure. However, concerns have been raised concerning privacy and ethics. The DNA of the Golden State Killer was found from a sample left at one of the crime scenes. Police were able to find a match by using GEDmatch, a popular genealogy website. The way GEDmatch works: Customers can upload their DNA profiles to find a match, and customers have to certify the DNA they are submitting is their own. The matches found in the Golden State Killer case were relatives of the suspect, but the manner in which DeAngelo was finally tracked down is still under debate. DNA testing can be very effective at helping police solve crimes, but some people have ethical concerns about the methodology. To keep up with all the latest health-related news or to find out more about DNA testing, visit The Benefits Store. #DNATesting