<br /> <br /> <span style='display:none' class='DO NOT REMOVE - THIS CATEGORY CODE WILL BE HIDDEN - IT IS NEEDED TO BE FOUND BY CATEGORY AND ONE-CLICK SEARCH'>Category: Photography - in Art</span><br /> <br /> <span style='display:none' class='DO NOT REMOVE - THIS CATEGORY CODE WILL BE HIDDEN - IT IS NEEDED TO BE FOUND BY CATEGORY AND ONE-CLICK SEARCH'>Category: Photography - in Art</span>

When it comes to writing a grocery list, I can say that some have been lengthy, and I am not speaking metaphorically. This is what the world of a serial overthinker is all about, where a simple decision can become a mental challenge, and a single line email is sent three drafts later. If you have ever seen yourself staring at your email contemplating a response of “Thanks!” without sounding emotionally detached or weird, I congratulate you, you are likely an overthinker too.<br />Overthinking goes beyond being a habit or lifestyle, it's your second full-time job but without the benefits. It's lying in bed awake, staring at your ceiling, and thinking of how things went a week ago. It involves preparing for a circumstance, dreading the circumstance, encountering the circumstance, and then revisiting it after the fact. Was there anything I forgot? Should I have said something different?<br /><br /><br />Disclaimers come with each good day. A good example of this is when I receive a compliment. In my mind, I am triple checking the meaning behind it. Was it meant? Was sarcasm involved? Were they referring to me or someone else? Once the praise has been accepted, the topic has already changed three times and my opportunity to give thanks has lapsed.<br /><br /><br />The thing is, though, overthinking is more than self-doubt or anxiety. It also involves caring too much. For me, I care about being considerate, clear, and respectful. I also care about avoiding hurt feelings and making good decisions. Afterall, there is a ton of heart beneath it all, regardless of how little sleep I have had.<br /><br />

(NewsUSA) - Summertime. It's the time of year to put your feet up, relax and have a little fun. So, why not make it a little safer for the whole family?<br /> <br /> The following tips can help keep everyone healthy and injury-free -- and, with any luck, away from the doctor's office:<br /> <br /> * Handle vacation baggage with caution. Be careful handling your luggage. There were more than 75,500 luggage-related injuries in 2013 alone. To avoid luggage-related injury and pain, keep your body straight when lifting and carrying luggage -- do not twist. Instead, point your toes in the direction you are headed, and then turn your entire body in that direction. Also, only use luggage that is sturdy and light weight with wheels and a handle.<br /> <br /> * Dive into summer safety. Diving and swimming is a popular summer activity for many families and their children, but it does carry some risk.<br /> <br /> "Swimming and diving injuries are most common among children, 17 or younger," says A. Jay Khanna, MD, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) spokesperson and orthopedic surgeon. "For that reason, it's important to equip kids with the proper safety precautions at an early age."<br /> <br /> The AAOS suggests that individuals never dive into above-ground pools or into water that isn't clear -- where sand bars or objects below the surface may not be seen. As for swimming, never swim alone, always swim in supervised areas, and avoid rip currents.<br /> <br /> * Follow the rules of the road while biking. More than 80 million Americans enjoy cycling because it's an environmentally efficient way to get around, a great form of exercise and a fun activity for the whole family. However, according to 2013 statistics from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, bike-related injuries were the reason for more than 1.3 million visits to hospitals, emergency rooms and doctors' offices.<br /> <br /> To avoid being a statistic, always wear a helmet and ride in the direction of traffic. Also, don't listen to music with headphones, talk on your phone, text or do anything else that would distract you while riding.<br /> <br /> * Beware of bouncing. Jumping on a trampoline is a favorite pastime among kids because of the thrill that comes with it. Unfortunately, it also carries risks. The most common injuries are sprains and fractures that result from falls on the mat, falls on the frame or springs, collisions with another jumper and falls off the trampoline, according to the AAOS. To protect kids, trampolines should not be used for unsupervised recreational activity.<br /> <br /> For more information and safety tips this summer, visit OrthoInfo.org.<br /> <br /> Ref: Bicycles - in Blogs

(NewsUSA) - Sports-related injuries are common and, when an athlete is hurt, care follows a proven, long-standing protocol of rehabilitation. But what happens when impact occurs to the head, face or jaw, and -- at the time -- no immediate injury is diagnosed?<br /> <br /> Weeks, months or even years later, many of these players begin to experience headaches, TMJ/D, migraines, vertigo or tinnitus -- estimated to impact 50 million people in the U.S. to some degree.<br /> <br /> "Undiagnosed head trauma from sports injuries -- or other types of impact, including minor car accidents -- is one of the most common causes we see of chronic headaches, migraine, tinnitus and vertigo," says Dr. Ben Burris, an orthodontist with 28 clinics in Arkansas.<br /> <br /> Now, these long-term and sometimes debilitating conditions can often be resolved with a painless, non-invasive treatment without drugs or needles -- and all at the dentist's office.<br /> <br /> "For over three years, we have been able to help patients with conditions caused by sports injuries," says Dr. Tad Morgan of Tyler, Texas. "If you damaged your knee or shoulder, you would go to the sports medicine clinic for rehab. With injuries to the head, face or jaw, rehab was unavailable until the advent of TruDenta care."<br /> <br /> Once diagnosed using a painless, digitally enhanced process, patients receive treatment through a proprietary combination of FDA-cleared, low-level laser therapy, therapeutic ultrasound and other modalities. Each of these was originally developed by MDs in sports medicine to speed the healing of joints and force-related traumas. The TruDenta system can quickly resolve issues in the head, neck, face and jaw, which people may have suffered for years.<br /> <br /> "Many of our patients with chronic headaches and migraines are females who have played sports -- soccer, gymnastics or even cycling," says Dr. Richard Hughes of Sandy, Utah. "The common denominator is some form of undiagnosed head trauma which was not properly rehabilitated and resulted in long-term painful symptoms."<br /> <br /> TruDenta doctors report rapidly resolving these issues for the majority of patients with long-lasting results. Care is often covered by medical insurance, and TruDenta doctors provide a free consultation.<br /> <br /> "We are excited to help these patients in 12 weeks or less without drugs or needles," says Dr. Jeffrey Mastroianni of Glen Carbon, Illinois. "It is truly life-changing for many."<br /> <br /> To download the free e-book "Start Living Pain Free," visit www.TruDenta.com/NUSA or call 844-202-2651. <br /> <br /> Ref: Fitness - in Blogs

(NewsUSA) - Owning a home is a huge investment, and once they've owned long enough to build up equity, many homeowners opt to leverage the equity for other uses. But if you're on the fence about taking on another monthly loan payment, an option that may be right for you is co-investing.<br /> <br /> With a home equity loan, you borrow against the equity in your home and receive a lump sum of money that you have to pay back each month over a specified term - commonly 15 years. The interest rate is usually fixed, but is typically higher than your primary mortgage.<br /> <br /> Co-investing offers an alternative to traditional home equity loans. In a nutshell, the co-investing company pays the homeowner an upfront amount, with no repayments for a set number of years, or until the home is sold, whichever comes first. There may also be an option to buy the company out, after a minimum restriction period passes. This option can be ideal for a homeowner who wants access to cash without the added financial burden of monthly loan payments, who has lived in a home long enough to build up some equity, and plans to stay at least another five years.<br /> <br /> Unison, a San-Francisco-based real estate company, is a leader in the growing field of co-investment. Unison offers homeowners a cash payment of up to 17.5 percent of their home's current market value. When the house is sold or 30 years pass, the owner pays Unison an amount equal to the initial co-investment, plus (or minus) a percentage of the home's appreciated (or depreciated) value.<br /> <br /> Here's an example: A homeowner whose home is currently worth $500,000 and who needed $25,000 in cash (5 percent of the home's value) would repay an amount equal to $25,000 plus 25 percent* of the amount the house appreciates in value during the time of the co-investment. With a larger co-investment, the company receives a larger share of the appreciation in value.<br /> <br /> Homeowners can use their cash for anything, but Unison recommends something of long-term value, such as kids' college tuition, medical expenses, home remodeling, or investing in diverse stocks and bonds.<br /> <br /> Other benefits of co-investing: Keeping gains from remodeling work and keeping the equity built from prompt mortgage payments.<br /> <br /> Being a good candidate for homeowner co-investing is not so different from being a good homeowner generally. Unison requires that homeowners keep the home as their primary residence; stay current on payments for mortgages, property tax, and homeowners' insurance; keep the home well-maintained to retain and increase value; and keep Unison informed of issues, such as remodeling plans or emergencies, such as natural disasters, bankruptcy, or plans to sell the home.<br /> <br /> To find out how Unison can help you get the most out of homeownership, visit unison.com.<br /> <br /> *This is a possible percentage for illustrative purposes. The actual percentage varies based on the specific HomeOwner transaction.<br /> <br /> Ref: Housework - in Blogs

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(NewsUSA) - How much will I need for my kid's college education? And how the heck will I pay for it?<br /> <br /> With the cost of a four-year degree rising nearly eight times faster than wages since the 1980s, those two questions are enough to give today's parents a serious case of night sweats. You can argue about the reasons for the disconnect -Administrative costs? Fancy amenities? - but you know there's a problem when a writer at Education Week is incensed.<br /> <br /> "Madness," she decried.<br /> <br /> Which is all the more reason to mark May 29 down on your calendar.<br /> <br /> Otherwise known as National 529 College Savings Plan Day -Get it? 5/29? - it's the perfect time to consider setting up one those tax-advantaged 529 plans, as they're called, to help sock money away to cover tuition, books and other education-related expenses at most accredited two - and four-year colleges, universities and vocational-technical schools.<br /> <br /> "It's a way of keeping your son or daughter from being saddled with too much debt when it's time to jump start their careers," explained Melissa Ridolfi, vice president of retirement and college products at Fidelity Investments. "Plus, any investment earnings compound on a tax-deferred basis, and qualified withdrawals are entirely free from federal and state income taxes."<br /> <br /> And now to the big question: How much?<br /> <br /> Two factors are mainly at play:<br /> <br /> * Public vs. private schools. The cost difference can be about as mind-boggling as "Avengers: Endgame's" record $357.1 million opening weekend domestic haul: an average of $21,370 a year at the former, according to the College Board's latest figures, as opposed to $48,510 at the latter.<br /> <br /> * The percentage of the bill you plan to foot. If you were counting on scholarships and other grants to pick up all or most of the tab, you should probably rethink that unless your kid is either a bona fide child prodigy or football star. Sallie Mae's "How America Pays for College" 2018 report found that both categories combined paid for just 28 percent of college costs.<br /> <br /> One guess where 47 percent of the costs came from. That's right, "family income and savings," with another 24 percent covered by borrowing.<br /> <br /> In other words, as Ridolfi said, "any way you look at it, the family is on the hook to pay the lion's share of college expenses." Which probably helps explain why a recent Fidelity study found that parents are increasingly starting to save before their child even reaches the age of two.<br /> <br /> To see where you stand, try using what Fidelity calls "the college savings 2K rule of thumb." Simply multiply your child's current age by $2,000 to figure whether your savings to date are generally on track to handle approximately 50 percent of the College Board's $21,370-a-year average cost of attending a four-year public college.<br /> <br /> Or, especially if you want a more customized estimate - one that lets you play around with percentages and switch back and forth between public and private schools - the firm's free online college savings calculator takes the angst out of doing the math yourself.<br /> <br /> Fidelity provides 12 savings ideas to help reach your own goal, and offers a choice of two different investment strategies in the 529 savings plans it manages - including an age-based portfolio of funds that automatically becomes more conservative as the beneficiary nears college age.<br /> <br /> Hopefully, armed with all that info, you'll be sleeping better at night.<br /> <br /> Ref: Family - in Blogs

(NewsUSA) - Preparing to pop the question this Valentine's Day, but unsure how to choose the right engagement ring? Read on for all the tools you need to make the perfect pick!<br /> <br /> While choosing an engagement ring can be exciting, the variety of settings, precious metals, and diamonds can be overwhelming. However, the following tips will help you in finding the ideal diamond engagement ring. <br /> <br /> Set your price limit.<br /> <br /> Before you start shopping, know how much you want to spend. There is no right or wrong amount to put toward a ring, and many beautiful stones and styles are available to suit any budget. It's important to note that lab-grown diamonds can be up to 40 percent less expensive than mined stones. <br /> <br /> Learn the "4 C's" of diamonds.<br /> <br /> These are: cut, color, clarity, and carat. Here's the translation: <br /> <br /> Cut: The cut of a diamond is the most important factor in determining its fire, brilliance, and sparkle.<br /> <br /> Color: Not all diamonds are clear; some have varying tints of yellow.<br /> <br /> Clarity: A measure of the number of flaws or inclusions in the stone.<br /> <br /> Carat: A measure of the weight of the diamond. However, more weight also indicates a bigger size. <br /> <br /> Consider shape.<br /> <br /> The common diamond shapes used in engagement rings are round, cushion, pear, oval, princess, radiant, and emerald.<br /> <br /> Each of these shapes has its fans and distinctive features. For example, a round diamond is the classic engagement ring style, but the larger facets of a cushion style can enhance brilliance, and the elongated emerald cut presents a bold look that can make a diamond appear larger than its carat weight. <br /> <br /> Choose a setting.<br /> <br /> Deciding the right setting or diamond shape for your stone is a personal decision. Some people have specific ideas for a setting, and take more time on the stone, or vice versa.<br /> <br /> However, not all settings accommodate all shapes so it's important to prioritize one or the other if you are set on a particular shape or setting.<br /> <br /> Typical engagement ring styles include the solitaire, a simple band that showcases any diamond shape; halo, in which a central stone is surrounded by smaller diamonds; classic, which features a row of accent diamonds along the ring band; and vintage, which replicates design styles from different time periods. <br /> <br /> Contemplate your center stone.<br /> <br /> When it comes to your center stone, there are a few different options to choose from. Although diamonds are the most popular, birthstones, moissanite, and cubic zirconia are also great budget-friendly options.<br /> <br /> In regards to diamonds, there are two types to choose from: mined diamonds and lab-created diamonds.<br /> <br /> While mined diamonds are extracted from the earth, lab-grown stones are guaranteed to be ethically sourced and, as mentioned above, up to 40 percent less expensive.<br /> <br /> Both types are identical in terms of chemistry and physical appearance. However, interest in lab-created diamonds has surged in recent years as more couples are concerned with sustainability, as well as beauty and romance.<br /> <br /> Ref: Dating - in Blogs

(NewsUSA) - Joanne C. was 74 when she had a stroke two years ago that left her paralyzed on the entire right side of her body. She refused to accept that she'd end up in a wheelchair and began rehabilitation, determined to get her life and body back to where it was before her stroke.<br /> <br /> Joanne's hard work paid off. She has regained much of her strength and movement and can walk again. In large part, she credits her SilverSneakers exercise classes - offered through her HumanaChoice® PPO, a Medicare Advantage preferred provider organization (PPO) health plan - as key to her successful recovery.<br /> <br /> Being a SilverSneakers member helped keep Joanne in good physical condition before her stroke. "SilverSneakers helped me be familiar with many of the exercises they had me do in physical therapy and gave me the confidence and strength to persevere through a difficult rehab process," Joanne says.<br /> <br /> Numerous studies, including Tivity Health's SilverSneakers Annual Member Survey of 2016, confirm that exercising, especially with others, improves older adults' physical and mental health.1,2, 3<br /> <br /> However, there are challenges that prevent many Medicare beneficiaries from joining gyms and fitness classes.<br /> <br /> By offering SilverSneakers through its Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, Humana is working to overcome those barriers so more people with Medicare can benefit from exercising.<br /> <br /> For those on a fixed income, joining a gym can be expensive. SilverSneakers provides gym access at no additional cost to many of Humana's MA members across the country, including those in Florida and Texas. SilverSneakers has partnered with almost 14,000 fitness and wellness centers around the U.S. and, with national reciprocity, SilverSneakers members can go to any one of those facilities.<br /> <br /> The program is designed with the Medicare population in mind and taught by certified instructors who offer classes and modifications for all fitness levels. These instructors are specifically trained to help members avoid stress-related injuries to muscles and joints.<br /> <br /> There's also a wide variety of classes offered, including circuit training, yoga, Latin dance and even an outdoor boot camp. SilverSneakers members also have access to all of a facility's amenities, which can include a range of exercise equipment, weight rooms and swimming pools.<br /> <br /> "According to Tivity Health's annual survey, SilverSneakers has made a significant difference in the lives of many of our Medicare Advantage members, not only in their physical health, but also in their social life," says Lauri Kalanges, M.D., Humana's Medical Director of Medicare Products for the Mid-Atlantic Region.<br /> <br /> Tivity Health's Annual Member Survey of 2016 found that 91 percent of SilverSneakers participants reported an improved quality of life. SilverSneakers has had a substantial impact on the health of its participants, reducing hospitalizations and the risk of depression.3<br /> <br /> For more information about SilverSneakers, go to www.silversneakers.com.<br /> <br /> Humana is a Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO and PFFS organization with a Medicare Contract. Enrollment in any Humana plan depends on contract renewal. This information is not a complete description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information. Limitations, copayments and restrictions may apply. Benefits may change each year. SilverSneakers is not offered on all Humana MA plans in all areas.<br /> <br /> 1. Nguyen Q, Ackermann RT, Maciejewski M, Berke E, Patrick M, Williams B and LoGerfo JP. Managed-Medicare Health Club Benefit and Reduced Health Care Costs Among Older Adults. Prev Chronic Dis 2008;5(1).<br /> <br /> 2. Nguyen HQ, Maciejewski M, Gao S, Lin E, William, B, LoGerfo JP. Health Care Use and Costs Associated with Use of a Health Club Membership Benefit in Older Adults with Diabetes. Diabetes Care 2008; 31:1562-1567<br /> <br /> 3. Nguyen, Koepsell, Unutzer, Larson and LoGerfo. Depression and Use of a Health Plan-Sponsored Physical Activity Program by Older Adults. Am J Prev Med 2008;35(2):111-117<br /> <br /> Ref: Dance - in Blogs