Author: How Life Works

Health & Beauty In-Depth

How To Qualify for Medicare

Posted on by How Life Works

Medicare is a health insurance plan that benefits many people as they age, and you don’t have to be 65 to be eligible for Medicare. Here’s some info to see if you qualify at your age.

There are two main parts to Medicare — Part A and Part B. Medicare Part A helps pay for a hospital stay, limited time at a skilled nursing facility, or for hospice care and some home health care. Medicare Part B deals with medical insurance, covering doctor’s visits, outpatient care, durable medical equipment, and some preventive services. There is also supplemental Medicare coverage if you need more than what Parts A and B offer.

Medical Open Enrollment Change Medicare Plans Supplemental Medicare Insurance Medicare Plan costs

Medicare Part A Qualifications

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, you can qualify for free Medicare Part A if:

  • You are 65 or older.
  • You or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years.
  • You receive Social Security retirement benefits or benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board.
  • You are eligible to receive Social Security or Railroad benefits but haven’t filed for them yet.
  • You or your spouse had Medicare-covered government employment.

If you’re not 65 yet you may still qualify for free Medicare Part A if:

  • You have been entitled to Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board disability benefits for 24 months.
  • You are a kidney dialysis or kidney transplant patient.

If you qualify for free Medicare Part A, there are no premiums, but there is still a deductible for hospital stays as well as a yearly benefit cap.

People who don’t qualify for free Medicare Part A coverage on their own can still get Medicare benefits once they turn 65, but they have to pay into them. To be eligible for this benefit you need to be 65 or older and a U.S. citizen or have been a legal resident for at least five years. The amount you would have to pay would depend on how long you have worked. The more you’ve worked, the more credits you receive which help to lower your payment.

Medical Open Enrollment Change Medicare Plans Supplemental Medicare Insurance Medicare Plan costs

Medicare Part B Qualifications

While qualifying for free Medicare Part A is pretty standard, you do have to pay a premium if you decide you want Medicare Part B coverage. This monthly premium gets deducted from your Social Security, Railroad Retirement, or Civil Service Retirement check. If you don’t get any of these benefits, you pay a Medicare Part B premium bill every 3 months.

The premium for Medicare Part B is income-based, with higher earners paying more into their coverage. No one is required to take a Medicare Part B plan because they do have to pay premiums and some people just can’t afford it.

Supplemental Coverage

Medicare Supplement Insurance — often referred to as Medigap Insurance — is health insurance that can help pay some of the health care costs that Medicare doesn’t cover alone. This can include coinsurance, copayments, or deductibles. Some Medigap policies also cover emergency foreign travel expenses.

It’s important to know that neither Medicare Part A nor Part B covers prescription drugs. You can get coverage for medication through a Medicare Part D or Part C plan, but will still have out-of-pocket costs. The costs of prescription drugs are usually lower under these plans.

Medigap policies DON’T cover your costs under other types of health coverage, including Medicare Advantage Plans (like HMOs or PPOs), standalone Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, employer/union group health coverage, Medicaid, or TRICARE.

Private insurance companies sell Medigap policies. However, insurance companies generally can’t sell you a Medigap policy if you have coverage through Medicaid or a Medicare Advantage Plan. So when selecting one of these policies it’s important to know exactly what they do and don’t cover, and if you think you will need that assistance.

Signing Up for Medicare

If you receive Social Security benefits, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B at age 65. You can opt-out of Part B coverage.

The initial enrollment period for Medicare starts three months before you turn 65. You can start signing up then and have three months until after your birthday to do so. If you miss that window, there is an annual general enrollment period that lasts from January 1st to March 31st. You can enroll during this time but your coverage won’t begin until July 1st. 

The easiest way to enroll in Medicare coverage is by going online to the Social Security Administration site. You can also call the Social Security office over the phone or visit your local office in person.

Medical Open Enrollment Change Medicare Plans Supplemental Medicare Insurance Medicare Plan costs

SOURCES
www.hhs.gov
www.aarp.org

Fashion Sponsored

How Eco-Friendly Is Your Face Mask?

Posted on by How Life Works

With businesses across the United States requiring masks for entry, the face mask has gone from a temporary necessity to a “must-have” fashion accessory.

But for those who care about the environment (and what they are putting over their mouth and nose,) an equally important question is: “How eco-friendly are these face masks?”

Unfortunately for eco-minded consumers, the fashion industry does not have the best track record when it comes to environmentally friendly business practices. As Morgan McFall-Johnson explains in an article for Business Insider, “The fashion industry produces 10% of all humanity’s carbon emissions, is the second-largest consumer of the world’s water supply, and pollutes the oceans with microplastics.”

In short — everything from the production methods to the fabric choices have an impact on the planet. So before putting hard-earned money toward a product that is bad for the environment, forward-thinking shoppers are deleting those cheap disposable masks from their shopping carts and looking at high-fashion, eco-friendly alternatives.

An Eco-Friendly Fashion Statement

Los Angeles based designer Jillian Ann, who has been on the forefront of what she calls “ethical eco-luxury fashion” for the better part of the last decade, has produced a new face mask line called ALTA-RED. It features a variety of fashionable face covering options made from eco-friendly fabrics like silk and modal.

“It is so important to me that people realize the impact their fashion choices have on the planet,” the designer says. “Even cotton garments can be made from crops that are fertilized with toxic chemicals. Those chemicals go into the soil and the run-off water, too.”

Most of the masks in the ALTA-RED collection are made from a special type of fabric called Lenzing Modal. This cotton alternative is manufactured using the more sustainable beech tree (a plant that is similar to bamboo) in a process where 95% of the chemicals used are able to be recycled.

“The Lenzing Modal fabric makes the masks so much more comfortable,” says Ann, “and, most importantly, breathable.”

The fabric is also known for its ability to retain its quality after multiple washes, unlike alternatives made from cotton or polyester which (besides being harsher on the environment) are known to fade and fray.

Going beyond the fabric itself is also the manufacturing of the garments. Big brands like Walmart, J.C. Penney, and H&M have come under fire in recent years for running alleged “sweatshops” where workers are treated poorly and environmental regulations are practically non-existent.

In an exposé for The Guardian, investigative journalist Tansy Hoskins writes, “Investigators for the Changing Markets Foundation visited 10 manufacturing sites in China, India, and Indonesia, and found severe environmental damage including water pollution from untreated contaminated waste, and air pollution.”

At ALTA-RED, tailors are paid above the industry standard rates and the company practices eco-friendly manufacturing.

“We are always looking for new ways to reduce our carbon footprint and optimize our best practices,” says Clayton Beck, the on-site Production Supervisor for the company. “We love the planet and we love our people.”

See all of the ALTA-RED mask options at www.ALTA-RED.com

Learn More

Eco-friendly face masks — Sources

– H&M, Zara and Marks & Spencer linked to polluting viscose factories in Asia by Tansy Hoskins
– The fashion industry emits more carbon than international flights and maritime shipping combined. Here are the biggest ways it impacts the planet. by Morgan McFall-Johnsen

This article is sponsored in whole or in part and may contain affiliate links.
©How Life Works 2020

Food Sponsored

Easy Recipe: No-Bake Paleo Maple Almond Butter Cups

Posted on by How Life Works

Nothing beats a recipe that’s both delicious and easy to make. You’re sure to impress your friends and family if you whip-up a batch of these tried-and-true 4-ingredient Maple Almond Butter Cups.

If you’ve been looking for a delicious alternative to peanut butter treats, search no more! These offer the perfect blend of nutty flavors, balanced with rich chocolate-y goodness.

These make the perfect treat for you and your family, or the perfect contribution to any gathering.

Each batch makes 24 chocolates, and it only takes about 20 minutes to prep!

MAPLE ALMOND BUTTER CUP RECIPE

Ingredients

For the maple almond butter filling you’ll need:

  • 1 cup almond butter
  • scant 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup raw honey
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Chocolate coating:

  • 11 ounces dark chocolate
  • Maldon salt, for topping

Instructions

  1. Melt the chocolate chips plus 1 tablespoon of coconut oil in a saucepan over low heat.
  2.  Pour a teaspoon of melted chocolate into mini muffin tin cups – greased lightly with coconut oil.
  3. While cups chill in the fridge or freezer for 10 minutes, melt the almond butter, maple syrup, and 1 tablespoon coconut oil in a saucepan over low heat, adding the honey and vanilla while stirring. Salt to taste. Spoon a heaping teaspoon of almond butter mixture into each muffin cup.
  4. Spoon the remaining chocolate on top of the almond butter layer and chill in the fridge until set, about 1/2 hour in the fridge or 10-15 minutes in the freezer. Enjoy!
Health & Beauty Sponsored

Want a Healthy Heart? Stop Taking Low-Grade Fish Oils

Posted on by How Life Works

Most people know that there are numerous benefits to eating fish and taking fish oil supplements, which are loaded with healthy omega-3 fatty acids. But what if the fish oil you’re taking isn’t clean, pure, or even beneficial?

First, some facts. According to WebMD, research shows that the omega-3 fatty acids found in these supplements may help to:

  • Lower blood pressure
  • Reduce triglycerides
  • Slow the development of plaque in the arteries
  • Reduce the chance of abnormal heart rhythm
  • Reduce the likelihood of heart attack and stroke
  • Lessen the chance of sudden cardiac death in people with heart disease

In short, it’s a vital aid in supporting heart health. Additional research has also shown that it can help with memory issues, joint and muscle aches, reduce inflammation, support eye health and weight loss, and can even benefit a mother and her unborn child during pregnancy.

The trouble? Not all fish oil supplements are created equal. Indeed, many of them are so highly processed and thinned out to make a profit, that they are just plain useless. But Natural Arctic Oil is the exception to that rule. A disruptor in the supplement industry, Natural Arctic Oil is a liquid supplement manufactured in the pristine Norweigen sea, away from highly-polluted warm-water environments. It contains high doses of natural omega-3 DHA and EPA, and is enriched with extra virgin olive oil and Vitamin D3, giving it the power to naturally take on some of life’s greatest health challenges.

Quality Above All Else

natural arctic oil

Unlike basic Vitamin E and fish oil pills, Natural Arctic Oil is extracted from fish within a few hours after the catch and right onboard the fishing boat. This minimizes exposure to outside air and significantly reduces the risk of oxidation, which negates the supplement’s positive effects. As a result, Natural Arctic Oil’s oxidation levels are between 6 and 8, whereas other products can be as high as 26.

This means that the highly potent Docosaexaenoic acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in Natural Arctic Oil — the most important long chain Omega-3 fatty acids involved in physiological functions — are incredibly pure.

Why is that important?  A growing body of evidence points to DHA as the most important omega-3 acid for growth and maintenance of good health. It plays a crucial role in our brain, eyes and central nervous system, facilitates our cells’ membranes to take in vital nutrition and dispose of toxins, and helps our body function at optimal levels.

Now consider this: The CDC states that about 1 in 3 US adults has high blood pressure, which increases the risk for heart disease and stroke, the two leading causes of death in the United States. Increasing your omega-3 intake can reduce high blood pressure, but it’s difficult to get enough omega-3s in foods like fish and nuts. Pure, clean supplements like Natural Arctic Oil are the natural solution.

Fast Absorption, Great Taste, Powerful Benefits

natural arctic oil

Natural Arctic Oil comes in liquid form, so it’s easy to take and requires less processing for the body to absorb. It’s blended with a high-quality, Gold Award, Extra Virgin Olive Oil that is rich in polyphenols and powerful omega-9s.

And best of all? It doesn’t have that fishy taste of other omega-3 supplements. The olive oil combined with an added Vitamin D3 boost and citrus oils gives it a slight orange flavor that’s pleasant and easy to swallow.

Combined, Natural Arctic Oil’s ingredients have been shown to maintain healthy heart function and blood pressure, reduce feelings of muscle and joint pain, promote anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties, fight oxidative stress, and are important for serotonin synthesis, release, and brain function.

Arctic Health Solutions, the makers of Natural Arctic Oil, are so confident you’ll see fast, dramatic results from this product, that they’re offering How Life Works readers a 30% discount using coupon code HLW30 at checkout. That kind of faith, combined with the company’s high-quality production standards, shows that Natural Arctic Oil really is a one-of-a-kind product.

Click here to learn more about Natural Arctic Oil.

Learn More

Article sponsored by Natural Health Solutions
©How Life Works

The statements and claims made about this product have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (U.S.). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.
Health & Beauty Sponsored

New, Natural Supplement Has Active People Raving

Posted on by How Life Works

Wow… I’m getting old.

It’s a disturbing thought, one that usually hits after an unexpected physical challenge. Maybe you’ve been unable to maintain your usual workout levels, or recovery is taking a lot longer than it used to. It could even be as simple as being more winded, or more muscle aches and pains than usual.

What’s most startling is that you aren’t “old” but, nevertheless, it’s frustrating to not feel as active as you once did.

And the issue? You might not have enough omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. These vital nutrients have been shown to help with muscle recovery, joint and muscle aches, reducing inflammation, and supporting heart health, eye health, and weight loss.

Because the benefits of omega-3s are so widely discussed, the market has been flooded with questionable fish oil supplements. Many are so highly processed and thinned out to make a profit, that they’re just plain useless. But now a group of researchers have developed a new, natural omega-3 supplement that people are flocking to, and it’s disrupting the entire industry.

Called Natural Arctic Oil, this liquid supplement is manufactured in the pristine Norweigen sea, away from highly-polluted warm-water environments. It contains high doses of natural omega-3 DHA and EPA, and is enriched with extra virgin olive oil and Vitamin D3, giving it the power to naturally take on some of life’s greatest health challenges.

High-Quality, Better Health

Unlike basic Vitamin E and fish oil pills, Natural Arctic Oil is extracted from fish within a few hours after the catch and right onboard the fishing boat. This minimizes exposure to outside air and significantly reduces the risk for oxidation, which negates the supplement’s positive effects. As a result, Natural Arctic Oil’s oxidation levels are between 6 and 8, whereas other products can be as high as 26.

This means that the highly potent Docosaexaenoic acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in Natural Arctic Oil — the most important long chain Omega-3 fatty acids involved in physiological functions — are incredibly pure.

Why is that important? A growing body of evidence points to DHA as the most important omega-3 acid for growth and maintenance of good health. It plays a crucial role in our brain, eyes and central nervous system, facilitates our cells’ membranes to take in vital nutrition and dispose of toxins, and helps our body function at optimal levels like they did when you were younger.

Now consider this: The CDC states that about 1 in 3 US adults has high blood pressure, which increases the risk for heart disease and stroke, the two leading causes of death in the United States. Increasing your omega-3 intake can reduce high blood pressure, and consumers are discovering that pure, clean supplements like Natural Arctic Oil are the natural solution.

Fast Absorption, Great Taste, Powerful Benefits

Natural Arctic Oil comes in liquid form, so it’s easy to take and requires less processing for the body to absorb. It’s blended with a high-quality, Gold Award, Extra Virgin Olive Oil that is rich in polyphenols and powerful omega-9s.

And best of all? It doesn’t have that fishy taste of other omega-3 supplements. The olive oil combined with an added Vitamin D3 boost and citrus oils gives it a slight orange flavor that’s pleasant and easy to swallow.

Combined, Natural Arctic Oil’s ingredients have been shown to maintain healthy heart function and blood pressure, reduce feelings of muscle and joint pain, promote anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties, fight oxidative stress, and are important for serotonin synthesis, release, and brain function.

Arctic Health Solutions, the makers of Natural Arctic Oil, are so confident you’ll see fast, dramatic results from this product, that they’re offering How Life Works readers a 30% discount using coupon code HLW30 at checkout. That kind of faith, combined with the company’s high-quality production standards, shows that Natural Arctic Oil really is a one-of-a-kind product.

While we can’t reverse the aging process, there are ways to feed the body and help it perform at optimum levels. Natural Arctic Oil is one solution to get you on that path. Click here to learn more.

Learn More

Article sponsored by Natural Health Solutions
©How Life Works

The statements and claims made about this product have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (U.S.). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.
Health & Beauty Sponsored

Rare Undersea Discovery Improves Mood, Memory, Muscles, and Stamina

Posted on by How Life Works

Humans have made incredible health strides and are living longer than ever. Many of the maladies that struck down our ancestors have been mostly eliminated – everything from tuberculosis and polio to malaria.

Today, the biggest killers stem from our very lives — high stress levels, processed foods, and environmental elements. Some of the worst ailments are memory issues, joint and muscle aches, heart disease, and specifically high blood pressure. These are slow, but efficient killers that rob many people of what should be the last 10, 20 or 30 years of living.

Experts often suggest massive lifestyle changes — new diets and serious exercise routines — to get back on track. That’s especially difficult for busy, stressed-out Americans. And, unfortunately, people don’t often realize the true dangers until it’s too late.

Now, however, there may be a scientific breakthrough that could have an incredible, positive impact on high blood pressure and other common maladies.

Natural Arctic Oil is a liquid supplement manufactured in the pristine Norwegian sea, away from highly-polluted warm-water environments. It contains high doses of natural omega-3 DHA and EPA, and is enriched with extra virgin olive oil and Vitamin D3, giving it the power to naturally take on some of life’s greatest health challenges.

How It Works

Unlike basic Vitamin E and fish oil pills, Natural Arctic Oil is extracted from fish within a few hours after the catch and right onboard the fishing boat. This minimizes exposure to outside air and significantly reduces the risk for oxidation. In fact, Natural Arctic Oil’s oxidation levels are between 6 and 8, whereas other products can be as high as 26, negating their positive effects.

This means that the highly potent Docosaexaenoic acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in Natural Arctic Oil — the most important long chain Omega-3 fatty acids involved in physiological functions — is incredibly pure.

Why is that important?  A growing body of evidence points to DHA as the most important omega-3 acid for growth and maintenance of good health. It plays a crucial role in our brain, eyes and central nervous system, facilitates our cells membranes to take in vital nutrition and dispose of toxins, and helps our body function at optimal levels. Likewise, the CDC states that about 1 in 3 US adults has high blood pressure, which increases the risk for heart disease and stroke, the two leading causes of death in the United States. Increasing your omega-3 intake can reduce high blood pressure, and because it’s difficult to get enough omega-3s in foods like fish and nuts, many people turn to supplements.

But that’s not the end of the story. Natural Arctic Oil is also blended with a high-quality, Gold Award, Extra Virgin Olive Oil that is rich in polyphenols and powerful omega-9s. It also contains an added Vitamin D3 boost. Together, these ingredients are known to contain anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties, fight oxidative stress, and are important for serotonin synthesis, release, and brain function.

In short, the ingredients in Natural Arctic Oil have been shown to maintain healthy heart function and blood pressure, reduce feelings of muscle and joint pain, help regulate mood and feelings of well being, and improve your body’s natural ability to remove toxins and function at optimum levels.

Arctic Health Solutions, the makers of Natural Arctic Oil, are so confident you’ll see fast, dramatic results from this product, that they’re offering How Life Works readers a 30% discount using coupon code HLW30 at checkout. That kind of faith, combined with the company’s high-quality production standards, shows that Natural Arctic Oil really is a one-of-a-kind product.

Click here to learn more about Natural Arctic Oil.

Learn More

Article sponsored by Natural Health Solutions
©How Life Works

Health & Beauty Sponsored

What Is the Best Non-Prescription Eyelash Enhancer?

Posted on by How Life Works

Eyelash enhancers are the latest beauty trend, giving almost anyone the kind of long, beautiful lashes you only see on supermodels. Unlike false eyelashes that are laid on the eyelid, this increasingly popular method allows you to topically apply a serum to the base of your lower and upper lashes. This formula encourages the growth of longer, fuller, and darker-looking lashes without the fuss of mascara, and can even be used on sparse, thin eyebrows.

The downside? Prescription eyelash enhancers are often expensive and formulated with prostaglandin, a hormone that can cause side effects such as darkened irises (potentially irreversible) and blurred vision. No one wants to risk that, so more and more companies are developing safer, non-prescription alternatives that deliver impressive results.

NuOrganics Eyelash Serum from NuOrganics is by far the most popular of this variety. Responsibly sourced and free of harmful chemicals like parabens, phthalates, propylene glycol, mineral oils, and SLS, this natural formulation helps thicken, lengthen, darken and condition eyelashes.

And best of all? Fans report seeing results in as little as 14 days without any side effects.

How It Works

NuOrganics is an innovative cosmetics company focused on finding natural beauty solutions. For eyelash enhancement, they created a plant-based stem cell serum that achieves great results without using the risky chemical compounds found in other products.

Among the active ingredients in NuOrganics Eyelash Serum is a Swiss apple stem cell culture extract. This is rich in phytonutrients and proteins, encouraging your hair to grow thicker and longer as well as cultivating healthy hair follicles. There’s also super peptide Myristoyl Pentapeptide-16 and Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, which clinical trials have shown to increase lash thickness and length by 25% in two weeks, and produce an impressive 66% increase in lash length and density in just 28 days.

Add in Biotinyl-GHK, a conditioning agent to protect and repair hair as well as help keep the hair rooted in the follicle, and an Ayurveda therapy to reduce inflammation, free radicals and glycation, and you’ve got one of the most powerful eyelash enhancers on the market today.

Read the Reviews

You can read reviews on NuOrganics Eyelash Serum and see what real customers are saying about it on the NuOrganics website. In as little as two to eight weeks, you can be seeing the supermodel results you’ve dreamed of.

And, for a limited time, How Life Works readers can save 20% off their purchase of NuOrganics Eyelash Serum with the code HLW20. Click here to try it for yourself.

Learn More

Article sponsored by NuOrganics
©How Life Works

Career

Is Your Frowny Face Affecting Your Career?

Posted on by How Life Works

These days, women have become concerned about their naturally serious expressions—and with good reason. Not only can they add permanent age lines and wrinkles to your face (think about those annoying “elevens” etched between a woman’s brows), they can also negatively impact your career.

Whether it be during a job interview, company meeting, or daily interactions with your boss or coworkers, showing signs of disinterest, annoyance, or disengagement can be particularly destructive. Even if it’s not your intention, an accidental frown could send the wrong message—in effect, projecting an unhappy persona even if you’re completely content.

“Be aware of it,” says career coach Sarah Hathorn, who notes that even a blank face may come off as negative. “Are you looking down, frowning or scowling with the forehead?” asks Hathorn. If so, she suggests holding a very slight smile so that you look like you have energy and are paying attention, instead of coming off as distracted or indifferent. Facial expressions are a part of everyday living that send vital messages to those around us.

Here are some useful tips that should help you stop frowning.

Start Inside
Dr. Richard Fried, a clinical psychologist and dermatologist, advises patients to take part in any activity that promotes relaxation.Try deep breathing, yoga, or guided imagery, which all “lead to a net response of decreased muscle tension, which can make meaningful differences” to a face that looks stressed, worried, angry, or tired. If the feelings prove hard to come by naturally, fake them, Dr. Fried said.

Arch Your Brows
Beauty therapist Damone Roberts recommends giving your brows a full, gently rounded arch. Arching your brows will not only give you the softest, friendliest look, it will also give better shape to your face. You can achieve this at home or by visiting a brow-centric salon. Be sure to pluck stray hairs, and use brow gel to keep hairs from hanging into your eyes.

Smooth Frown Lines
The corrugator muscle, also known as the frowning muscle, contain long, narrow fibers that run across the eyebrows and extend to the temples. M.J. Saffon, author of The 15 Minute a Day Natural Face Lift, suggests performing a forehead smoother exercise on a daily basis over several weeks for noticeable improvement.

Firmly press your fingertips on your corrugations and massage that area vertically for 30 seconds, then horizontally over the eyebrows and toward the temples. This will help alleviate some of the strain between your brows, as well as smooth out  those lines.

Be Surprised
According to Annelise Hage, a New York City-based yoga instructor and author of The Yoga Face, practicing “surprise me” facial expressions have multiple benefits. Not only can they smooth out the brow area, these exercises also de-wrinkle the forehead. Open your eyes wide in surprise, but do not wrinkle your forehead. Then, look at a point in the horizon for 10 seconds. Repeat the exercise five times.

Whether you meditate to relax your facial muscles, or exercise daily to smooth your forehead lines, awareness of your expression is an important starting point. Your coworkers are watching you, and even though you may not feel angry or stressed, unknowingly your face may be sending a message you’re not aware of–one that may end up affecting your paycheck or job opportunities.

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Pets Sponsored

How CBD Is Helping Dogs and Cats

Posted on by How Life Works

Whether you love dogs or cats or both, our four-legged friends can bring great joy into our lives. But they can also cause owners a lot of stress and anxiety — no matter how cute and apologetic they look after their bad behavior.

From a cuddly kitty clawing up the furniture (and guests), or a precocious puppy chewing (and peeing) on everything in sight, these little ones can try your patience. Even worse is when your furry friend is in pain — either from aging or injury — and you can’t really do anything to comfort them. It can leave an owner feeling helpless… until now.

PuppyCalm and KittyCalm are two new concentrated liquid herbal extracts (known as “tinctures”) containing cannabidiol, a.k.a. CBD. As you may know, CBD is extracted from cannabis and hemp plants. However, CBD does not contain the psychoactive ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which means it won’t make your pet high.

In humans, CBD is currently advertised as a digestive aid, analgesic, anxiety relief option, cancer inhibitor, and antipsychotic, among other things. While there are active studies underway examining its effects, there is a great deal of anecdotal evidence supporting these benefits.

Studies have shown that CBD helps dogs and cats the same way it does humans. How can this can be? Dogs and cats possess nearly identical endocannabinoid systems as human beings and reap numerous benefits from active hemp compounds such as CBD.

While there have not been extensive studies on CBDs and pets, a few drops of PuppyCalm or KittyCalm have been shown to help:

  • Reduce inflammation
  • Ease joint and muscle pain
  • Promote relaxation & ease anxiety
  • Give the immune system a boost

Made with organic hemp seed oil and hemp extract, these tinctures are non-psychoactive and contain less than 0.3% THC. Plus, they’re vegan, non-GMO, and cruelty-free.

The KittyCalm and PuppyCalm websites list dosages based on your pet’s weight. They also feature numerous testimonials from happy customers. Check them out to see if these products are right for your pet.

Relationships

Relationship Therapy You Can Do on Your Own

Posted on by How Life Works

While most relationships have their share of ups and downs, very few couples are willing or able to invest the time and/or money that traditional relationship therapy would cost.

This doesn’t mean that they’re more or less committed to the success of their relationship than other couples – only that they have different limits as to what they find an acceptable intrusion into their private lives (particularly when it comes to a third party such as a therapist).

The good news for those that find themselves in this particular situation – or even when one partner simply isn’t willing to go into therapy – is that there are things you can do that can lead to self healing and repairing a relationship that may be damaged.

You can do this as one partner or as a couple, although it’s much more effective when both people participate.   We’ve become a society of do-it-yourselfers, so it only makes sense that we’re bringing this idea into the more personal aspects of our lives rather than the simple home improvement projects.

Positive thinking is a great place to start. Whenever the roads of romance become a little too rocky for comfortable travel, it’s time to take a step back and remind each other why you fell in love in the first place.

Make a list, write a letter, write a poem, or take a few minutes to hold each other and dance. Remind each other of the wonderful person you are when unencumbered with the worries of the world, children, finances, and the world outside the circle of your arms.

There are many different styles of self-therapy that you can use. You may want to check out some books on the various styles and read them together for advice, guidance, and perhaps a little insight as to where your specific problems may lie and the best path to take in the future.

One highly recommended style of relationship therapy is known as the Imago, which is Latin for ‘match’ style. You can find many books on this topic either online or at your local library. The important thing is that you take as many steps as possible together.

Role-playing is another great way to obtain valuable insight as to how you perceive your partner as well as how he or she sees you. You may learn a lot about how the English language is woefully inadequate at conveying precise messages.   You may intend to say one thing and your partner may hear something else entirely. It’s important to learn how to communicate with one another positively and accurately. Working together through self-therapy and role-playing can help you achieve that.

 

Fashion Sponsored

Jewelry Your Wife Actually Wants

Posted on by How Life Works

Hello, my name is Natasha and I am the founder of Natasha’s World Jewelry based in Reno, NV. My passion for jewelry began as a young girl growing up on the shores of Hawaii, collecting and selling puka shell necklaces on the sun washed beaches of Waikiki. I have traveled across the globe in pursuit of the world’s most beautiful jewelry, from the exotic rain forests of Thailand and Bali to the ancient architectures of Spain and Ireland.

My journeys have led me to discover hundreds of international artists specializing in handcrafted necklaces, bracelets, rings, pendants, and other unique body adornments.

Natasha Bayt photographed by Clayton Beck Creative, wearing Isha Elafi designs made in Bali, Indonesia.

My greatest joy is bringing the best of these pieces back to my shop to share with my customers. There is no better feeling than the moment that someone connects with a special piece in my shop. I love to give the gift of the jewelry’s origin and intention, and then hear the stories of romance and adventure that the wearer goes on to create. I have been fortunate to make countless friends in my various stores, from my first shop in Honolulu, to endeavors in San Francisco and Lake Tahoe, and now my newest homestead at the base of the beautiful Sierra Mountains in Reno, NV.

You can see more and shop at www.NatashasWorldJewelry.com

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How CBD Is Helping Cats and Dogs

Posted on by How Life Works

Whether you love dogs or cats or both, our four-legged friends can bring great joy into our lives. But they can also cause owners a lot of stress and anxiety — no matter how cute and apologetic they look after their bad behavior.

From a cuddly kitty clawing up the furniture (and guests), or a precocious puppy chewing (and peeing) on everything in sight, these little ones can try your patience. Even worse is when your furry friend is in pain — either from aging or injury — and you can’t really do anything to comfort them. It can leave an owner feeling helpless… until now.

PuppyCalm and KittyCalm are two new concentrated liquid herbal extracts (known as “tinctures”) containing cannabidiol, a.k.a. CBD. As you may know, CBD is extracted from cannabis and hemp plants. However, CBD does not contain the psychoactive ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which means it won’t make your pet high.

In humans, CBD is currently advertised as a digestive aid, analgesic, anxiety relief option, cancer inhibitor, and antipsychotic, among other things. While there are active studies underway examining its effects, there is a great deal of anecdotal evidence supporting these benefits.

Studies have shown that CBD helps dogs and cats the same way it does humans. How can this can be? Dogs and cats possess nearly identical endocannabinoid systems as human beings and reap numerous benefits from active hemp compounds such as CBD.

While there have not been extensive studies on CBDs and pets, a few drops of PuppyCalm or KittyCalm have been shown to help:

  • Reduce inflammation
  • Ease joint and muscle pain
  • Promote relaxation & ease anxiety
  • Give the immune system a boost

Made with organic hemp seed oil and hemp extract, these tinctures are non-psychoactive and contain less than 0.3% THC. Plus, they’re vegan, non-GMO, and cruelty-free.

The KittyCalm and PuppyCalm websites list dosages based on your pet’s weight. They also feature numerous testimonials from happy customers. Check them out to see if these products are right for your pet.