Resources to Help Couples Grow Stronger in Our Shifting Lifestyles
As a pandemic altered our lifestyles, it was easy to focus on the things that we gave up - but with the right attitude and energy, you can face it together.
Emily Graham /// emily@mightymoms.net
Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash
As a pandemic altered our lifestyles, it was easy to focus on the things that we gave up. Sporting events, travel, and even routine errands were altered or taken away to some extent, and while we’re regaining a semblance of normalcy, many people are still struggling to regain a balanced feeling in life.
This situation is a strain on our lifestyles and relationships, yet it’s an ideal time to grow as a couple. It’s easy to say that tough times can pull you together — it’s just as easy (often easier) for them to push you apart. Ensure you’re going in a direction that keeps you strong and healthy, both as individuals and as a couple.
Here are some helpful resources courtesy of LFS Counseling.
My Space, Your Space, Our Space
Do you have a home that is comfortable and relaxed, one that promotes your well-being? Your home should be a space where you can both retreat from the outside world. Ensure that you have it set up for you both to prosper, as individuals and as a couple.
Seven Tips for Keeping a Healthy Home
Why You Need to Go Outside: Health Benefits of the Outdoors
50 Chic Patio Ideas to Try in Your Backyard
10 Ideas How to Craft Fun Backyard Picnics
4 Home Improvement Projects That Promote Better Health
How to Remodel Your Home with Your Significant Other — Without Arguing Even Once
Ramp Up Fun and Relaxation for You Both
Everyone gets stuck in a rut sometimes, and after more than a year of spending a lot of time together, finding fresh ways to connect can be challenging. Here are some ideas that help you ensure your time together at home is still fun and relaxing.
Let’s Talk About: The Importance of Dating Your Spouse
Managers Say Vacation Time Was the Most Effective Way to Reduce Stress
America’s Best Long Weekend Getaways
15 Best Board Games for Couples to Play on Game Night
8 Couples Meditation Exercises You Need to Experience
Having been cooped up together in the midst of a global crisis can strain relationships — or it can reshape them into something stronger and healthier. If you’ve been through the wringer, take time to grow and connect. It’s a challenging world, but with the right attitude and energy, you can face it together.
Sleep is Critical
Based on two years of research, the National Sleep Foundation found adults should get around 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Missing just 1.5 hours of sleep has shown to decrease alertness and impair memory. When a person doesn’t get enough sleep, mood regulation is affected, causing difficulty in the maintenance of relationships (whether friend, family or work). Sleep deprivation also increases the likelihood of accidents (especially automobile) and decreases quality of life by making people less likely to participate in daily activities. So, what causes it?
Today one in four Americans develop Insomnia each year, and a leading cause of the disorder is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).There are an estimated 22 million Americans suffering from it today. Seen in all age groups, obstructive sleep apnea is when a person's throat muscles relax and close the airway intermittently during sleep. Not only can sleep apnea be a bit scary and disruptive to sleep next to, but it also hosts a connection to a troubling list of health concerns.
Heart Disease
When your breathing is hindered at night, your blood pressure increases to compensate for the lack of oxygen in the bloodstream. This, along with the resulting hardening of the arterial walls makes a person more likely to develop heart disease and experience a stroke or heart attack. A study completed by the National Sleep Foundation found that participants with Obstructive Sleep Apnea were 58% more likely to develop congestive heart failure than those without the sleep disorder.
Obesity
OSA is believed to affect 45% of individuals with obesity and is considered the leading cause of sleep apnea today. Excess weight means there’s more soft tissue around the throat and mouth. When the throat and tongue muscles relax during sleep the extra weight results in the closing of the airway. The person is subconsciously alerted and jerkstheir airway back open with a snore. Obese adults are at the highest risk of developing sleep apnea as they make up 70% of OSA diagnosis.
Diabetes
Research done by John Hopkins University School of Medicine has shown that sleep disorders such as OSA have been associated with insulin resistance and impaired glucose tolerance. The disturbed sleep pattern showed to interfere with glucose homeostasis (blood sugar regulation). Overtwelve scientific studies have been published supporting the theory that individuals with shorter or repeatedly broken sleep cycles are more likely to develop diabetes.
Shortened Life Expectancy
Disrupted sleep rhythms, impeded heart function, inadequate sugar regulation and a constantly interrupted respiratory system take a toll on the body. According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, people with untreated sleep apnea are at three times higher risk of premature death than those without OSA. People who experienced sleep apnea for just five years had an eye-opening - 30% increase in their risk of dying from a heart attack.
What can be done
A common treatment of Sleep apnea is the use of continuous airway pressure delivered by a CPAP machine, a device that fits snugly around your nose when you sleep. Lifestyle changes leading to weight loss such as eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise has also shown to both reduce symptoms and risk factors.
Knowing the facts of sleep disorders can be scary. The good news is, there are a number of successful treatment options available today. If you’re wondering if you might have sleep apnea, you can try taking an online test to help determine if you should schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider. Afterall, good sleep is the foundation to a healthy and happy life.
Put Insomnia to Rest
Our body requires a particular routine to function properly, and sleep is a crucial part of that routine. When the body is deprived of the sleep it needs your life and health can pay the price....
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Piper McIntosh /// piperlmcintosh@gmail.com
Top Financial Tips for Newlyweds
Brittany Fisher /// britt@financiallywell.info
Top Financial Tips for Newlyweds
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It can be hard to know where to start when you're just beginning your married life. Between buying a house, saving for retirement, and lining up someone to watch the kids on date night, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities of adulthood. But don't let that overwhelm keep you from taking care of yourself financially. There are plenty of things newlyweds can do now (or soon!) in order to make their money last as long as possible.
What can you do as a newlywed to put yourself in the best financial position?
First, talk to a bank or other financial institution about the best way to combine your money. Keep in mind that combining accounts can be complicated and take time.
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Buying Life Insurance
If you already have life insurance for yourself or your spouse, consider adding your partner as a beneficiary. This ensures that your family will be well taken care of financially if something happens.
You should also consider life insurance if you don't have it already. Having a family makes purchasing insurance even more important. Depending on various factors, such as your age or desired payout amount, it's possible to get relatively inexpensive coverage for yourself and your spouse by combining policies.
To save money when buying insurance, try shopping locally and around the times of the year when insurance companies are trying to move extra products. This is usually at the end of a quarter or year, so you can get a better deal if you wait for low premium periods.
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Combining Auto and Health Insurance
Auto and health insurance should be another top priority. Combining these two policies, especially if you're married and have kids, can be a major financial drain. You'll save money on premiums by buying both together.
Another benefit of combining auto and health insurance is that you only need to do it once. So even if your company does not offer a discount for doing so, the inconvenience will be worth it in the long run.
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Purchasing a Home
If you're ready to buy a home, you'll need to make a down payment. A downpayment is the part of the purchase price that you pay upfront, rather than financing with a mortgage.
Down payments are typically twenty percent, but they can be as low as 3.5 percent in some cases. While a 20-percent down payment may seem daunting, there are programs for first-time homebuyers that can help.
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Setting a Budget
Lastly, you need to set a budget for yourself and your spouse (or just yourself) as soon as possible. This is one of the best ways to prevent expensive mistakes, such as buying more houses than you can afford or paying interest on credit card purchases. A good budget will also help you manage your future financial security.
Ultimately, these are just a few of the many things you can do to start making sound financial decisions and plan for a secure retirement. If you'd like more information on other topics, or if you have questions about any of this, talk to an insurance agent or certified financial planner for advice specific to your situation.
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In Conclusion
The tips in this article are just a few of many things you can do as newlyweds to put yourselves in the best financial position. To get started, talk with your bank or other financial institution about combining accounts and buying life insurance for both spouses. You should also consider combining auto and health insurance policies. Lastly, set up a budgeting system that will help keep track of how much money is coming in versus going out each month. We hope these pointers were helpful!
If you need more help in successfully navigating the newlywed life, learn more about Lynch Family Services.
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