Almost all research has indicated that the risks for increased psychosis are higher when the drugs are used by people under the age of 21, as the brain is developing more rapidly and is more vulnerable. It’s believed that when marijuana is used while the brain is developing, the chemical dopamine is increased which can lead to schizophrenia. Biological predisposition towards schizophrenia and psychosis will also play a role in the level of risk – as Professor John Henry of Imperial College in London shows in his research.

It’s believed by the British Lung Association that the increased potency of today’s marijuana available on the streets today is 15 times more powerful than the drug that was smoked 30 years ago – and is contributing to the increased risks of psychosis and schizophrenia.

From Schizophrenia.com:

“Without the effects of the drug, such a person might live their whole life without ever experiencing mental health problems. It has been estimated, for example, that between 8% and 13% of people that have schizophrenia today would never have developed the illness without exposure to cannabis.”

Cannabis, or Marijuana has been a recreational drug of choice for many decades. There are many advocates pushing for legalizing medical marijuana use, and just as many enemies who want to keep marijuana use illegal. Federal laws in the United States indicate that all use of Marijuana is illegal – even if an individual state allows medical marijuana use.

Additional studies and research of 3,100 young adults around the age of 20 years old who admit to smoking pot for 3 years or more found that 65 had been diagnosed with mental illnesses and 233 have had at least one instance of hallucinations.

Most researchers agree that further study is needed in order to draw conclusions whether or not cannabis usage causes mental illness or if people who use cannabis already have a higher pre-disposition to the mental illnesses.

If the link from marijuana use to increased mental illness is proven successfully, you’ll probably start to see even stronger arguments against the use of medical marijuana.

Studies Show Marijuana May Increase Psychosis was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

The number of overweight children has tripled over the last thirty years. Overweight and obese children are setting themselves up to a lifetime of health issues. Included in the list are sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, fatty liver disease all of which can lead to premature death. Children who are overweight are often teased and ridiculed by their peers. Many overweight kids lack confidence and often suffer from depression.

The campaign, was in part, inspired by a warning from the Obama family Doctor who told Mrs. Obama that her children were becoming overweight. She took a stance in her household, changing the girl’s diets.

Their new eating plan included switching to low fat milk, cutting back on food like burgers as well as reducing portion sizes. Sugary beverages were replaced with water. Grapes, apple slices and colorful vegetables were added to their daily menu. A repeat visit to the doctor showed great results with these simple changes.

Michelle Obama along with the US Surgeon General Regina Benjamin appeared together at the program launch. The surgeon general talked of her struggles with her own weight. Both she and Mrs. Obama encouraged healthier eating. The campaign is set to encourage eating of more fruits and vegetables, pushing for higher quality physical education in schools and working to bring more supermarkets into low income communities.

Currently the United States spends approximately 150 billion dollars a year in the fight against obesity. In comparison that is more than what is spends on fighting cancer each year. Not to mention that the cost of fighting obesity has doubled over the last decade.

It is at such a critical level that a good chunk of economic stimulus money is being used on programs to fight obesity. 650 million dollars in stimulus funds is being spent to fight obesity and smoking. The cost of healthcare can be astronomical for the obese and with the rising costs of health care, spending money now could save a bundle in the future.

Michelle Obama Kicks of Campaign Against Childhood Obesity was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

A recent study published by the Journal of Neuroscience suggests a link between the loss of smell and memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s disease.  It is said that the formation of what is called amyloid plaques and neurofibirillary tangles in the brain lead to memory loss. Simply put it is protein that builds up on the brain affecting the memory and eventual ability to function.

In the past 25 years there has been a heavy focus by researchers to better understand, treat and eventually prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s It is a term to describe the loss of memory and other intellectual abilities. It can take many forms and has various developmental stages.  Alzheimer’s disease accounts for up to 70% of those diagnosed with memory loss.  It has no cure but does have treatments for symptoms. It is progressive and eventually fatal.  Currently Alzheimer’s is the seventh leading cause of death in the country.

According to research the behavioral symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease occur early in life.  The ability to look at a dysfunction in smell is one more method that can help researchers detects memory loss well before the other typical symptoms may occur. 

The established indicators of memory loss include:

• Disruption in daily routines due to forgetfulness
• Inability to solve problems, concentrate or forgetting routine tasks.
• Confusion with time, place, dates or distance
• Trouble with decision making or judgment.
• Withdrawal from family, friends and social activities.
• Changes in mood or irritability

This new study that suggests a link between loss of smell and eventual memory loss was conducted on mice.  The mice who had developed protein accumulation in their brains exhibited the brain degeneration similar to that of Alzheimer’s patients. These same protein buildups were present in those mice that showed an inability to recognize smells, again mirroring that of Alzheimer’s patients.  This study showed a strong link between loss of smell and the eventual onset of Alzheimer’s disease. 

These new findings suggest a strong link between loss of smell and the potential for Alzheimer’s disease this study is one more step towards continued research and early detection of the disease.  As with most degenerative diseases detection and the additional methods that can be used to test for symptoms is one more step towards a cure.

Loss of Smell May Determine Memory Loss was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Since the recommendations, there has been an outpour of criticism from the medical community, the American Cancer Association and women. The American Cancer Association as well as Doctors and major medical facilities throughout the country say they will continue to follow previous recommendations which start at risk screening at age 35 and healthy women at age 40. They will also continue to recommend self breast examination. Unlike the new guidelines, mammograms are performed every year after the first screening and not every other.

Critics argue that many women who are screened between the ages of 40-49 and are diagnosed with breast cancer are able to start treatment early. This allows them to have a longer list of viable treatment options and a better chance for a favorable outcome. Many women who have been treated for breast cancer in their forties say that that early mammogram screening and/or self breast examination very well could have been responsible for saving their lives.

On the flip side, the task force panel and its supporters back up their recommendations saying that the risk of mammograms in the 40’s outweighs the benefits. In looking at scientific data the task force concluded that starting mammograms early leads to false positives, unnecessary biopsies and undue stress. Self Breast examinations also lead to twice as many unnecessary biopsies. People in favor of the new guidelines also point out that the mammogram itself puts women at radiation risk and could in fact increase their chances of getting breast cancer.

When looking at other countries around the world, these new breast cancer screening recommendations are actually right in line. The World Health Organization recommends screening after age 50 as do other modernized countries including the UK and Canada.

The 16 member task force comments that they are not out to change policies. Currently mammograms are covered by insurance companies and Medicare for women age 40 and over. The task force claims their recommendations are to be used as guidelines and as a means of open discussion between women and their physicians. Each women should then decide, with the help of their doctor, when they should individually start receiving mammograms and how often.

New Mammogram Guidelines Cause Controversy was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

• Confusion
• Memory loss
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Slurred speech
• Fatigue

New innovation

Traditional helmets are not custom fit to the athlete’s head and are only adequate when it comes to protecting it. Cutting edge makers of football helmets have invented new technology to reduce the incidences of concussion among football athletes. Riddell introduced a helmet called The Revolution. Four years in the making, it was the first improvement in football helmets in 25 years. Current research from the February 2006 issue of Neurosurgery magazine found that players wearing the Revolution helmet were 31% less likely to suffer a concussion than those wearing a traditional helmet. For athletes who have never suffered a concussion, wearing the Revolution was reported to reduce the risk of head injury by 41%. This translates into about 18,000-46,000 fewer concussions per year. Riddell helmets are designed to cushion the head face and jaw of the athlete. A computer generated program design measures the head’s center of gravity to provide maximum protection for this vulnerable area. Xenith’s “XI” helmet adapts to both the players head size and force of each hit through technology called Adaptive Head Protection. The fit system allows athletes to tailor the helmet to the size and shape of their heads. It also allows the head to stay secure upon impact.

Protection, not prevention

Even with all the new innovations in helmet technology, concussions can only be reduced and not eliminated altogether as seen by Tim Tebow’s heart stopping concussion. The only thing athletes can do is try to protect themselves with the safest head protection on the market.

Football Helmet Technology was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

A quick summary of results are:

Pet products – After testing over 400 pet products, including collars and chew toys alarming levels of toxic chemicals were found. For example some pet beds showed significant (over 1000ppm) lead levels. There are no government standards for hazardous compound in pet products so it is not alarming that levels were significant.

Automobiles – New and used vehicles were examined and some levels of chemicals in the vehicles were 5-10 times higher than found in homes or offices. Considering that people often spend 1.5 hours, or more, in their vehicle every day, their exposure to toxic chemicals is disturbing.

Car Seats – Polyvinyl Chlorine (PVC) and Brominated Flame Retardant (BFR) and heavy metals were found in over half of the infant and child car seats. These chemicals can have adverse effects on children. Baby Trend Flex-loc, Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 Car Seat and the Graco Turbo Booster are three child car seats that contained none of the dangerous chemicals tested.

Back to School Products – Backpacks, pencil cases, binders and lunchboxes were tested. HealthyStuff.org found that PVC, a dangerously toxic chemical, was present in a lot of these products. Lead levels were recorded in 22% of the products and almost 90% of the school products registered some presence of toxic chemicals.

Women’s handbags – Seventy five percent of women’s handbags recorded lead levels present. Some of the bags (64%) contained 300ppm, the CPSC limit for lead in children’s products and some even containing over 1000ppm.

Testing

Testing was performed using a portable x-ray fluorescence analyzer, or XRF. Using this simple hand held device researchers can test for toxic levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, bromine, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and arsenic in the consumer products. These chemicals were highlighted for testing because they have been associated with various heath related issues including problems relating to reproduction, learning and cancer.

Exposure

Direct exposure to hazardous compounds is not only through physical contact, such as a child putting a toy or other object in their mouth. Chemicals can enter through your body in other ways. Some substances are unstable and are not chemically bound to the products, and can be released directly onto your skin or in the air you breathe. Think of the ‘new car smell’, that’s you inhaling the toxins of the materials used in the car interior.

Pets, adults and children are at risk to being exposed to toxic chemicals from many products at home, office and school. Be socially aware and understand which goods can contain harmful substances, some effects which are cumulative, and reduce or even remove these products from your home.

From Women’s Hand bags to Pet Beds – Chemical Toxins Everywhere was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Some of the new rules taking effect include:

• It is now illegal for anyone to manufacture, sell, or import children’s products that contain any more than 300 parts per million of lead in any part or material of the item. The old standard was 600 ppm. Consumer paints and surface-coating has also dropped from 600 ppm to 90 ppm, some of the strictest limits in the world.
• Manufacturers are required to place tracking labels on any children’s product aimed at kids aged 12 and under in order to ensure additional protection should there be an issue.
• Any advertisement for specific toys and games for children between the ages of three to six must contain warnings about the potential choking hazards for kids under the age of three. These advertisements include television, radio and print advertisements. This rule was created especially due to the online market, where consumers can not physically view a product as they can in a retail setting.
• Violations of the rules will result in some heavy fines that can reach upwards of $100,000 per violation up to a maximum of $15 million for series of such violations. The Consumer Product Safety Commission believes that the increased fines will send a strong message to those who did not take past warnings seriously and opted instead to pay the fines while continuing to distribute and sell unsafe products to the nation’s consumers.

The measures are not only put in place to increase the safety and health of families and children but to also improve the wavering confidence of consumers who have been dealing with increased recalls as well as economic issues.

Tougher Laws Mean Safer Kids was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Generic Prescriptions – Money Saver or Safety Hazard? was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Here are 8 great reasons to ditch the gym and get healthy at home:

You Likely Already Have Some Equipment
There are probably a lot of treadmills and exercise bikes that are being used more as a clothes rack than as a source of exercise. Dust off the expensive equipment you have already invested in and put it into use. Don’t forget the numerous workout DVD’s you already own. Check online  or at the library too for free workouts or tune into the exercise channel you likely get on your cable television.

You Don’t Have to Leave Home
After working a busy day and taking care of the family, who can really stay motivated enough to leave the house again and head to the gym. If you set aside a small area in your own home that you can use to workout, you may be more inclined to stick with the program.

There Are No Set Hours
Since many gyms are not open 24/7, you may be more motivated to keep exercising when you can do it at a time convenient for you.

There Are No Lines
In some gyms, there is likely a wait for some of the more popular workout machines. Hanging around the gym waiting is certainly a time-waster. You likely have better things you could be doing. Working out at home means no lines and maybe even some multitasking, such as running in place as you load the washing machine.

Make It a Family Affair
Instead of having to find a sitter, you can get your whole family involved in one of the best and completely free forms of exercise – walking.

There is No Intimidation
Going to a gym where tons of other people, who may or may not be in better shape than you, can be intimidating and keep you from sticking with your exercise goals. Exercising at home alone or with close friends and family can make it more fun and less intimidating.

You Can Grow Into Your Routines
Instead of having to commit to hour-long classes at a gym, you can build up and change your routine according to your daily activities. Whenever you can fit in a few minutes of exercise, go for it! A little exercise each day is much better than none at all.

More Money To Spend on Rewards
When you get into a workout groove, eventually you will begin to reap the rewards of weight loss and a new and improved body. You can then use the money you would have otherwise been wasting on a gym membership to get new clothing and updated equipment to continue your workout routines at home.

8 Reasons You Should Cancel That Costly Gym Membership was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

There is a study out which tells a bleak story concerning a less than enthusiastic attitude towards food safety. This study from Rutgers University on consumer behavior about safety issues suggests that many shoppers choose to ignore warnings about tainted food and continue to eat items that have been recalled.

The obvious red flag here about eating bad food is startling enough. Yet there is also the other side of this in that financially, not heeding these warnings can cause a serious financial risk as well. When people get sick, they kick in their use of the health care system (which they should – that is why it exists) which causes spikes in the costs associated with the illness.

The most disturbing part of this study shows that most people do not think that the recalls are applicable to them, but for others to heed. Could this be the same attitude that affects consumers in their lack of action on their financial picture as well?

Refusing to do anything about money issues is one thing, but to put oneself at risk from a health standpoint is unthinkable. Here are a set of tips that can apply to either situation.

Change priorities

A shift in priorities needs to take place in the minds of those who have these attitudes. Seeing oneself as insulated from the effects money or health issues provides no motivation to make positive changes. A healthy dissatisfaction with present circumstances and attitudes is the beginning of a pathway to a better life. At that point, actions can be taken to correct issues and avoid problems.

Monitor always

There is no reason not to be aware of what is happening in either the world of finances or health concerns. Money issues have always been at the forefront of news reports as are health concerns. Everyone should not only be listening, but talking in their communities about the rising threats that need to be dealt with decisively.

Take action

Once a prescribed path is established, action can be taken to fix problems or avoid them all together. With food it is simply to heed warnings and get rid of anything that is even suggested there might be a health risk associated. On the money side, the course of action might be to begin to take steps to improve your credit score or pay down debt, etc.

Your health and finances are two of the most important issues in your life. Take time to review your attitudes and make changes today that will help make a better life for you. It could be the difference between life and death.

Few Americans See Food Safety as an Important Issue was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

With all of the news swirling around this year’s Presidential election and the crisis with the nation’s economy, many people are more affected by the goings-on than they even realize. Some of the issues may even be having a direct effect on your health. Whether or not you have insurance, maintaining good health should always be a top priority, otherwise it can have big financial consequences – sometimes even fatal ones.

High blood pressure is one such side effect of the money problems so many are suffering. It is estimated that one in four American’s have been dealing with high blood pressure. Even our children are dealing with the illness, which ultimately can last throughout the years and lead to heart failure and other problems.

Take Care of You

The trick to dealing with high blood pressure in an inexpensive way is simple – take care of yourself. Start exercising and eating healthy foods. Get out and walk or find other ways to relieve the constant stress you may find yourself in as you deal with financial problems. Your body weight is also a factor in high blood pressure. Discuss with your physician what your ideal body weight should be and work with them to set up a healthy diet if you need to drop a few pounds. Just learning to breathe deeply and often can help lower your blood pressure and make your feel more relaxed. It also helps to get oxygen into your brain, allowing you to think more clearly and stay focused. Walking has the same effect.

Make sure you get a proper diagnosis from your medical provider and if you are given prescription medications, make sure you take it as directed. Failing to heed your doctor’s warnings can cause significantly larger health problems which result in significantly higher medical bills. If you are already dealing with debt, the last thing you want to do is add to the problem.

Quit The Bad Habits

If you drink regularly or smoke cigarettes, there has never been a better time to quit. Both habits are extremely expensive and are dangerous to your health in general, not to mention if you have already been diagnosed with high blood pressure.

Because high blood pressure is such a common illness, many people do not take it as seriously as they should. If you are worried about how your family is going to survive without extra money or material goods, imagine how your family will survive without you.

Keep a Check on Your Blood Pressure was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

1. Never brush teeth in countries where U.S. standards of cleanliness are lower (i.e. Mongolia, Haiti, Pakistan, Palau) unless using bottled water.
2. Wash hands constantly, but use Purell afterwards as a sanitizer (Why would you avoid drinking the water, but you’ll wash in it?). Note: If carrying this product in your carry-on if you’re flying, be sure it is less than 3 ounces and is put into a clear quart size bag to go through screening, as outlined by TSA.
3. Only drink bottled water with the seal in tact.
4. Order bottled beer vs. drinks with ice or frozen beverages.
5. Request to have a drink already chilled (i.e. can of Coke) to avoid using ice cubes.
6. Have Pepto-Bismol or Kaopectate in a pill form (easy to transport) in your overnight bag just in case.
7. Keep water out of your mouth while showering.
8. Never eat raw vegetables overseas…only cooked. This is because the water that is used to wash the vegetables could be contaminated.
9. Ensure shots are current for countries slated to visit.

Despite taking health-precautions to stay healthy, it is possible to still come down with something. So, what do you do when something goes wrong or need medical attention? There are some items you can do prior to departing to help ensure you are protected when traveling to foreign countries.

First, consider purchasing travel insurance that extends medical coverage. Some policies offered by travel insurance companies, such as Travel Guard, allow pre-existing conditions to be covered while traveling. This, of course, depends on the policy selected. For a complete overview of travel insurance product inclusions, visit comparison sites such as Squaremouth.com or Insuremytip.com.

Be sure to check with your health insurance policy before you depart to see what is covered when you’re out of the U.S. Does your policy provide guaranteed payments abroad, a 24-hour support system for emergencies, and emergency medical evacuation coverage? If not, you might consider purchasing a separate policy specializing in medial evacuation such as Travel Guard or MEDEX. Even some credit cards, like American Express Platinum, also offer evacuation coverage. Keep in mind that evacuation coverage is not medical coverage. And, it’s important to note that medical evacuation providers decide whether and to where you’ll be evacuated. Med Jet Assist is one company which takes clients to any hospital of their choice, albeit if the client is already hospitalized.

Before you depart on your international travels, make an appointment with a travel health specialist or preferred physician to discuss places that require vaccinations or anti-malaria medication. Note that some of these preventative medical items require advance notice and time to actually administer.

If you take ill while traveling, you can contact the U.S. embassy or consulate at our destination for local health care recommendations. Another resource is the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers, which has a directory of English-speaking doctors in 125 countries. The online listing is free to obtain at www.iamat.org so you can print the countries you’ll be visiting. All of the medical professionals listed in the directory received their training in the U.S. or Europe and charge $80 for the initial office visit.

Once you arrive at your destination or aboard your cruise, make yourself familiar with where the medical facilities are located. I’ve noticed on my recent travels the increases of public stations offering hand sanitizers to reduce the spread of germs and disease. And take a moment in your room or cabin to do a “wipe down”…use a disinfectant wipe on the public touch areas of the room to further sterilize.

Tips for Staying Healthy While Traveling was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

I woke up to the reality that I needed to make some decisions. Decisions would change my life for ever and put me on the right path to freedom, financially, emotionally, physically and spiritually. Maybe you are at a point in your life where it’s time for you to make some decisions, let me recommend some.

Physically some of us are a wreck. We have wasted money on food and the wrong food at that. Eating for some is what we do when we start to worry. We also get off the fast track to freedom and get side tracked to the point that we get lazy. Exercise is the last thing we do. Decide today to starting right and exercise even if it’s just one less bite and a short walk.

Emotionally some of us are falling apart. We have no time to love and encourage others because we are so gummed up with our own problems. We can’t think straight because all our attention is given to the mess we have gotten into. Decide today to refocus your thinking on the positives in your life. See yourself out of debt and head for what you see.

Financially some of us are just plain broke. We even get depressed when money news comes on. As the old saying goes, “some of us are so broke we can’t even pay attention”. Decide today to use what little you have wisely. Start a savings account even it it’s just a “change jar”. Drop those pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters in and listen to your future ad up.

Spiritually some of us are bankrupt. We have no place in our life for God, a higher power or anything bigger than our problems. Understand that everything that happens to us must first pass through the hands of God. Decide today to find someone who can help you connect with God.

Financial freedom comes from doing the right things, some physical, some emotional, some financial and some spiritual. It all begins with decisions.

* * *

This is a guest post written by Lee Martin, a student of MakeMoneyFromWriting.com, where he is learning about the online writing process, how to secure freelance writing jobs and establish a profitable writing business.

Financial Freedom Begins With Decisions was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

There have always been mattress accessories that aim to add extra cushioning to an older mattress that are relatively inexpensive. The “egg crates” tend to not last for very long and flatten out after an extended period of use. They are also thin and do not prove a lot of support for the body. There are also feather top bed cushions that are really comfortable and soft. There are more moderately priced but, like the egg crates, the feather mattress toppers flatten out after using for awhile and they are also hard to clean.

Having tried several varieties of mattress toppers and cushions, we recently purchased a memory foam mattress topper. While more expensive than the egg crates and feather pillow toppers, the memory foam is more “mattress-like”. We purchased the 4″ mattress topper for a king-sized bed for a price of $160. Compared to the price for a new king-sized mattress, we saved quite a bit of money and received instant results. The memory foam mattress pad is almost like another mattress. It is firmer than our old mattress, fits perfectly on top of the bed and there are no issues with bed sheets. They fit as well as they did before adding the topper. It took about 2 days for it to fully expand, as it was enclosed in a vacuumed-sealed plastic package.

For the first time in a long time, I woke up feeling like I had slept well. No aches and pains in my shoulder or knees. The mattress pad conformed to my body weight and even seems to retain body heat that kept me warm but not overheated. I can not vouch for the other sizes which can range from 1″ to 8″ but noticed that even though the thickness expanded with each size, only around an inch or an inch and a half was comprised of the memory foam material and the rest was another type of foam. Because of this, we do not have the option to flip mattress and still have access to the memory foam. The brand of memory foam mattress topper we purchased provides an 5 year warranty. I made certain to return the warranty card as I am concerned about it flattening out at some point. However, by all accounts, the money we spent was well worth it for our immediate needs and does provide an excellent substitution for a new mattress, which we can not afford at this point.

An Inexpensive Alternative to a New Mattress is Money Well-Spent was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Shoveling snow is a prime source of emergency room visits. Using improper posture and inadequate shovels can lead to serious back or other injury. There have been many reported cases of heart attack due to the stress shoveling imparts on the body. Spend the money on a good solid snow shovel in the beginning. Buying cheap, plastic ones will only end up costing you more money as you may need to continually replace them when they break. It may also increase your risk of injury. New shovels are designed with your physical health in mind and help take the weight off your back and knees.

If you already suffer from health problems, consider buying a snow-throwing machine. There are many options now available, including a compact and lightweight model that can easily be maneuvered by the young and old to clear smaller areas like sidewalks. They are relatively inexpensive and may not work well in deeper snow. The bigger industrial ones are good for clearing bigger areas and are able to work in higher depths of snow. Find a neighbor who has a snow-thrower and offer to pay a reasonable amount to come and clear your driveway. You could even try the barter system – your homemade blueberry pie for his snow-blowing services. Always use common-sense during inclement weather. You will end up saving yourself a lot of frustration, pain, injury, and money!

Practical Tips for Staying Safe in A Winter Storm was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

In a 2007 survey conducted by CareerBuilder.com, the nation’s largest online job site, four out of every ten American workers survive living paycheck to paycheck. 41% of the working public would not be able to meet their living expenses without relying on the next payroll check to come in.

The incoming money is spent before it is received in many cases. Once that check is cashed, one in five of those workers have nothing left over to add to a savings plan.  These statistics do not just apply to minimum wage workers. Surviving paycheck to paycheck is happening up and down the pay scale and it is affecting more than our bank accounts.  Struggling financially is one of the leading causes of stress. It becomes a vicious cycle of anxiety and depression when you can’t keep up with the bills. This, in turn, leads to the tendency to ignore the financial situation you are in because you haven’t enough money to pay your bills. The shunning of your bill collectors leads to guilt and higher bills you need to pay due to late fees and penalties.  More and more workers are under constant stress and worry because they fear the ends will never meet. Divorces rates are increasing as are incidents of domestic violence. I don’t have to read about it in the papers or the magazines to know how embarrassing and truly sad it is to feel like all you ever do is work and still can’t go out for a steak from time to time. It isn’t just me either. My colleagues, family, and closets friends are all working extra hard to make sure the lights stay on and the house stays warm. Necessities like gas to get to work and food to eat and just getting out of hand in price and making personal budgets harder to negotiate.

Hearing those closest to me lament the fact that they haven’t any “fun” money to at least take a break from the stress is hard. Realizing it isn’t just our little circle that is suffering is sobering. We can spend every day reading the daily headlines about someone else who couldn’t deal with the stress. Those who have resorted to acts of thievery or worse are just consuming the news around the country.  While we may not see how the ends will meet today, it is important to remember to keep perspective on the situation and make sure you are taking care of yourself first. Don’t feel guilty about paying yourself first or making that co-pay to talk to a doctor about your levels of stress. The ends will meet one day and you should make it a priority to live to see that day.  

Will The Ends Ever Meet? was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Be Specific About Your Goals. Simply wanting to lose weight and get in better shape is not a good goal to have. Instead you should have a specific goal, such as “I want to lose 20 pounds by the 1st of April.” Having a specific goal in mind will give you a “finish line” of sorts and encourage you to do what it takes to meet that goal. You’ll know exactly what you have to do to win and will be able to come up with baby steps along the way to help succeed in that goal.

Come Up With Baby Steps. If your goal is to eat healthier this year, it’s not going to happen overnight. If you simply decide to start eating healthy all the time, you’re much less likely to stick with it. If instead you try to start eating healthier a few meals a week, start cooking with healthier ingredients, trying new healthier recipes, switching to diet soda, and gradually working into a healthy eating lifestyle, you’ll be much more likely to succeed. Instead of diving into the pool head first and hoping that you know how to swim, you’re taking it slowly and performing intentional steps to learn how to swim.

Be Accountable. If you really want to make change in your life, you have to make your accountable to someone. After you have a list of baby steps to accomplish, give them to one of your close personal friends who would be willing to tell you if you were doing something wrong. Ask them to keep you accountable for accomplishing your baby steps and working toward their goal.

A Slipup Is Not the End. One of my roommates recently decided to start waking up at 5:00 AM in the morning, and on the second day he slept through his alarms. Instead of just giving up, he got back on the horse and gave it another shot the next morning. He hasn’t been successful at getting up that early every day, but he’s definitely making progress and moving in the right direction. We have to admit that there will be days when we fall short of our goals. A lot of people tend to quit their resolutions once they don’t stick with their plan for a day or two. Instead we need to persevere and keep working toward our goal. Don’t let one day of not working toward your goal let you down.

Give Yourself Positive Reinforcements. If you successfully meet one of your baby steps for a week or two, reward yourself. Go out and let yourself partake in one of your favorite activities. It could be going to a sports game, a trip to the spa, or maybe even just letting yourself find a cozy place to read for an afternoon.

Don’t Get Complacent. A lot of people let themselves slip once they’ve reached some sort of success. You might lose 5 or 10 pounds and be very happy with the results, so you quit going to the gym as much and going out to eat every now and then. Before you know it, you’re back where you began and now you’re de-motivated. After you reach your goals, remember that you need to keep working towards them. If you’re not moving forwards, you will inevitably move backwards.

It’s a great thing to make New Year’s resolutions, but if you’re going to make one, you should at least be serious about it and come up with a plan to stick with your New Year’s resolutions.

How to Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

There’s no instant overnight cure for the common cold or flu. Before I continue, you should know that I am not a doctor these are just the things that I have found to be true and make use of in my life to get over the cold. Some people will suggest to you all sorts of tips and tricks about how they eliminate their cold and flu symptoms, but the only way to get over these infections is to let your body to the hard work. You just have to give your body the tools it needs so that it can get rid of the virus in your body. With plenty of fluids, a healthy diet, vitamin C and a good amount of rest you’ll get over a cold or the flu and a fraction of the time that you would otherwise.

If you have a cold, make sure to get at least 8 solid hours of sleep a night. Give your body the rest that it needs. Go to bed at least an hour earlier than usual and rest as much as possible. To get the vitamin C your body needs, there’s nothing better than a tall glass of good old fashioned orange juice. Make sure to drink a large glass of orange juice every day until you’re well again. You can get a gallon for just a couple of dollars at your nearest grocery store. You should also drink several glasses of water daily to give your body the fluid it needs.

For your diet while you’re sick, you should probably skip over fast food, candy bars and other junk for the time being. Simply eat balanced meals and make sure to hit all of the major food groups every day. Good nutrition will go a long way in making you healthy once again. I have found that the best way to ease my symptoms have been through simple plain-old-fashioned Tylenol (or anything else with acetaminophen in it). It goes a long way in helping ease the symptoms that are associated with a common cold.

The total cost of the American Consumer News cold treatment plan will end up being less than $5.00. No trips to the doctor or expensive medications, just good old fashioned Tylonel and orange juice in addition to having a balanced diet and sleeping a good amount. It’s that simple.

A Frugal Cure to the Common Cold was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Walk into any clothing store or open up just about any magazine these days and you’ll see all sorts of unrealistic depictions of humanity. Clothes are always modeled by the men and women in the best physical shape of their lives and by people of great beauty. Our culture believes that the ideal specimen of health is just one or two steps away from being a stick figure, but it turns out that this might not be the case. In some cultures being somewhat overweight is considered a sign of wealth and health, and these people might have been onto something.

The Center for Disease Control recently did a study about how one’s weight contributes to their overall health. The survey actually found that being very thin caused a slight increase in the risk of death compared to those who are at the appropriate weight for their height and those who are slightly overweight!

The CDC’s study found that if you’re under 30 years of age and slightly overweight, you have no increased risk to get cancer or heart disease. In fact, for some diseases, it can even significantly lessen your risk of death.

The study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, which is about as prestigious as it gets in the medical world. The survey accounted for many extraneous factors such as age, race, smoking, and alcohol consumption.

This is not however a green light for you to totally ignore your health and get out of shape. The CDC’s study found a significant increase in risk for death in those who are extremely obese, which make up about 8% of the United States. Being obese is definitely not a winning game plan, but there’s nothing wrong with a little extra heft here and there.

It Turns Out Being Fat Isn’t So Bad After All was created by and is property of American Consumer News.