Health Archives - Page 14 of 37 - Empower Medicare Supplements

Can We Reach Herd Immunity?

May 1, 2025April 26, 2021 by Kayla Gonzalez

As we have been in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, our primary goal has been trying to find a way to come out of … Read more

Vaccine is Put On Pause

May 1, 2025April 24, 2021 by Jeffrey Cooperstein

***UPDATE: As of April 23, 2021, the CDC cleared the United Stated to resume use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The vaccine will now … Read more

Three Steps for a Morning Routine

May 1, 2025April 23, 2021 by Cali Naughton

Troubled Start?

Do you find yourself constantly hitting the snooze button, falling out of bed, rushing to get ready, and arriving at your job already stressed and running towards the coffee? No judgment here, morning does not come easily for us all. However, a morning routine may be just what you need to start your day off on the right foot.

Benefits

You may be asking “how can getting up earlier make mornings any better?”. The answer is simply that by gifting yourself with some “me time” before starting to concern yourself with everyone else, you will find yourself feeling more relaxed and in control of your day. Consider it a chance to ground yourself and fully address your own needs. By creating this space, you will likely find yourself happier throughout the day.

Three Steps

First, you need to establish what things will help you best start your day. It does not need to be a killer workout at 5 am although that is truly amazing if you decide to go that route. It can be as simple as taking time to sip a cup of tea and write in a journal for 15 minutes. You may find that doing some light stretching or spending time meditating will be enough to get your body going in the morning.

Next, decide how much time you will commit to gifting yourself to do these things in the morning. You should really start small here. If you struggle to wake up, then you probably do not want to set your alarm an hour earlier. Try giving yourself an extra 15-20 minutes at first. It may help to go to bed a little early to help compensate. Once you get into a small routine, you may find that you want more time for yourself and increase your time from there.

Lastly, you have to commit. You have to make the decision that you are a priority first and foremost. When you take the time to serve your own needs, everyone else will benefit. Taking this time will help you go through your day responding with control instead of in reaction to everything around you.

The ESSENTIAL Health Tip That You Haven’t Heard Before

May 1, 2025April 22, 2021 by Cristin Dickey

Ear health and hearing loss have massive impacts on overall quality of life. Photo by Jessica Flavia on Unsplash.

To Hear and Be Heard… Ahhh, youth. Everything seems easier to the rosy-cheeked, limber-limbed, and unjaded. The senses are sharp and clear. The body feels … Read more

Can Medicare Help You Quit Smoking?

May 1, 2025April 21, 2021 by Cali Naughton

Help Quitting

Quitting smoking can be a daunting task when you go it alone. Your Medicare Part B insurance may be able to help. Through their tobacco counseling program, you may receive extra help in order to kick the habit for good.

The Facts

Tragically, smoking causes the death of over 480,000 people in the U. S. every year. It ranks as the country’s leading cause of preventable deaths. While smoking obviously causes severe repercussions to the user, others who are exposed to secondhand smoke also suffer. Experts estimate that an additional 41,000 people die from the effects of secondhand smoke each year.

What Does it Affect?

Many people realize that smoking causes damage to their lungs, but they may not be aware of the damage caused to other organs. It causes substantial strain on the cardiovascular system which can lead to coronary heart disease and stroke. The effects are far-reaching, and the reality is that smoking takes a toll on the entire body. Your risk for developing things like gum disease, rheumatoid arthritis, infertility, loss of bone density, and colorectal cancer are all substantially increased by smoking.

Taking Back Control

When it comes to beating the habit and taking back control, the first step is simply making the decision to quit and then backing it with your own very personal reasons. When you are ready to start, you should talk to your doctor about creating a game plan and how to handle challenges along the way. A support system and accountability will increase the odds of your success.

Counseling Program

Medicare’s Tobacco Counseling Program can help you gain access to support. Through the program, you will be able to receive 8 in-person counseling sessions from a qualified doctor during a single year. Medicare Part B will cover the cost of the counseling sessions in full as long as your doctor accepts assignment, and you qualify for the program. This program is only available to you before you are diagnosed with a tobacco-related disease. Do not wait until it is too late. Start talking to your doctor about Medicare’s Tobacco Counseling.