A degree in Sports Psychology can open the door to a variety of careers. Since sports are such an integral part of our lives, it’s no surprise that sports psychology is a growing field. While athletes may appear unstoppable on the field, more often than not they are being assisted behind the scenes by a sports psychologist to strengthen their mental health in order to enhance their athletic performance and personal goals.

In addition to the obvious physical requirements of being an athlete, there is an also extreme psychological side to sports. With a degree sports in sports psychology, you can work with athletes to ensure that they maintain their strongest performances by providing them with an essential support system. By providing an athlete with psychological and motivational assistance, a sports psychologist can help athletes strengthen their mental health and reach their ambitious goals.

For sports psychologists who work directly with athletes, some of their responsibilities could include helping these athletes develop a competitive mindset, creating efficient pregame routines for the athletes, ensuring the athletes effectively handle loss, and helping the athlete enhance the quality of their practice. It is also common for an athlete to require the assistance of a sports psychologist when they become injured. A sports psychologist provides the necessary support for an athlete to get through the recovery process as well as return to their sport. The psychological aspects of sports injury can be traumatic for some athletes, but with the assistance of a sports psychologist, it is possible for an injured athlete to have a successful recovery and return to their sport.

Some of the more specific career paths that this degree may be used for include: team coach, sports research specialist, sport psychology professor, clinical sport psychologist, applied sport psychologist, and sports rehabilitation therapist. A sport psychology degree will allow you to thrive in these areas, as you will be capable of assisting athletes on both a physical and mental level—two of the most important aspects of becoming a successful athlete.

While it may sound limited, there are many career options outside of the sports world that one can choose from with a sport psychology degree. This degree expands beyond the realm of sports and has been increasingly recognized as “performance psychology”, and will allow you to work with people in all aspects of society. Doctors are among some of the professionals who often benefit from performance psychology. A performance psychologist may assist a doctor in gaining the confidence they need to perform a difficult surgery or return to their practice after losing a patient. Overall, this degree will allow you to work with a wide variety of people on an individual level as you assist them in obtaining their personal goals.

As a sport psychologist, it is important to understand what are OKRs and how they can be implemented in your work. OKR stands for “objective and key result,” so by utilizing this method you will help your clients understand their goals and how to achieve them. The OKR system is commonly used by businesses and teams to work together to reach an outcome rather than focus on individual performances. Research has shown that goal setting is an effective management tool as it allows teams to become more successful than they would otherwise.

The sport psychology degree comes in various forms and can be attainable through different types of higher-level education. Faulkner University provides students with the opportunity to receive a bachelor’s degree in sports psychology. This private university is a good choice, as its students take a variety of sports psychology courses while developing psychological perspectives and research methods. Faulkner University offers an online sports psychology degree option.

It is possible to further your sports psychology bachelor’s degree by receiving a master’s degree in sport psychology. For example, Drexel University offers online programs to achieve a master’s degree in Sport Coaching Leadership. Similarly, the University of Denver offers a master’s degree in Sports & Performance Psychology. If a full degree program does not fit into your schedule, California Southern University offers an accredited sports psychology certification program that will provide its students with similar benefits to the full sports psychology degree.

These national universities offer sports psychology degree programs in which the student will gain practical experience in the sports psychology field. Although these undergraduate programs and graduate programs may be executed in different styles, they are all national universities with accredited sports psychology programs. Regardless of whether you attend online programs or rely on a classroom setting, by attending a national university, you will be exposed to courses in sport science and higher-level sports such as those in the NCAA division, which will provide invaluable educational and real-world experience while striving toward your psychology degree.

Whether you achieve your sports psychology degree through an online degree program or an in-person degree program, you will experience sport psychology courses that will ensure your success in the world of sports or a related field.

Spending time alone, as many of us currently are, certainly puts into perspective the necessity for a healthy sense of self-esteem. Intellectually, we all know that the opinion we have of ourselves is the only one that really matters. Still, cultivating strong self-worth is not as easy as it seems. We’re constantly bombarded by messages from advertising and the media that tell us we should be wealthier than we are, thinner than we are, or more beautiful than we are. It’s up to us to decide what we’re worth. But there’s nothing wrong with taking a few steps to improve our self-esteem.

Get Your Body Moving

Thirty minutes of exercise every day can improve your mental health and self-esteem. There’s evidence that sedentary behavior can not only cause physical illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease but can exacerbate mental health problems like anxiety and depression. The best way to address issues of self-image and self-worth? Get your body moving! Studies show that engaging in a combination of cardio exercises like running, as well as stretch-based exercises like yoga and pilates, can improve brain function and self-esteem.

Brain Food is Soul Food

Anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem can frequently be the result of long experienced stress. One way to combat these issues is by adding antioxidants to your diet. Antioxidants found in strawberries, blueberries, acai berries, and other fresh fruit can help reduce oxidative stress. Vitamins A, C, and E can combat biochemical changes that are directly caused by stress and protect against future encounters with stress. Your overall well-being can be improved by adding some antioxidant-rich fruit to your life. Consider adding an acai bowl to your daily breakfast routine. Acai berries, pineapples, greens, mango, and coconut make for a delicious start to your day that will certainly help your mood and self-worth.

Be Mindful

According to the American Psychological Association, practicing mindfulness meditation can help improve self-worth and self-image. The practice of meditation encourages self-acceptance and self-love. You can either engage in meditation by following along with a guided practice or by repeating a mantra that means something to you. Take a comfortable, seated position and count your breaths with your eyes closed until you feel relaxed. Hold yourself with love and appreciate yourself for taking the time to meditate. A little meditation every day will certainly aid your self-esteem.

Change Up Your Messaging

While meditation will surely help to improve your self-worth, it’s important to practice self-love in your everyday life as well. One way to do this is to change the way you talk to yourself! We all struggle with this. Spend time every morning writing down a few things you’re grateful for. Throughout the day, whenever you find yourself practicing negative self-talk, acknowledge it and then turn it around. For example, if you feel like you’ve failed something, say “I’m going to persevere until I succeed.” Changing up your point of view can make a world of difference.

Chat With a Professional

While it’s important to make the decision to improve your self-image on your own, sometimes it’s a good idea to bring in the big guns. Seeking mental health treatment is a brave choice and one that can make a world of difference. If you decide to work with a therapist soon, keep in mind that you should find someone who offers online therapy services. Online counseling is widely covered by insurance and is as confidential and protected as in-person sessions. Working through live chat sessions and video conferencing, you’ll work with your therapist to address your specific needs. Online therapy could be the missing piece you need to address any issues of self-image.

Self-image is closely related to mental health and happiness. Conquering your self-doubt requires a holistic approach. Change up your diet, improve your exercise routine, and check-in with an online therapist. You’ll be feeling better in no time!

In today’s busy world, it’s easy to forget to prioritize your health—but it doesn’t have to be hard to maintain. Keep reading to learn three ways to keep your mind and body in good shape.

Eat a Well-Balanced Diet

If you want to be healthy, it’s crucial to make sure you’re getting the proper amounts of vitamins and minerals from your diet. Eating a healthy dose of fruits, vegetables, and proteins will keep your body and mind sharp. Try to remember to eat a rainbow diet if you need help incorporating healthy food products into each meal. Fruits and vegetables are often naturally bright and rich in color, so if you regularly eat meals that have a lot of green, red, or yellow produce, you’ll be in good shape.

If you know you aren’t getting all of the required vitamins you need from your food, consider adding whole food vitamins into your routine. Vitamins like vitamin C, folic acid, and vitamin e (to name a few) are essential for maintaining good health. If you do decide to start taking supplements, make sure the drug administration approves them. A whole food supplement that’s approved by the FDA will make it easy to ensure you have the vitamins and minerals you need.

Get Your Body Moving

Getting your body moving is another way to keep a healthy mind and body. Not only can it be fun, but regular exercise helps with sleep issues, it can help control your weight, and it lowers your risk of chronic and cardiovascular diseases. Physical activity is beneficial for not only your body but your overall health. When you work out, your body releases chemicals called endorphins, which make you feel pleasure. Getting into a routine of exercise can be a great way to wind down and decompress, and its also proven to help with sleep disorders. You don’t have to do an intense workout each time you exercise to feel the benefits— a brisk 30-minute walk around your neighborhood or even a couple sets of squats in your living room would work just fine. As long as you get your body moving, you will be in better shape.

Take Time to Reflect

Maintaining your mental health is just as important as your physical health. If you are a religious person, consider setting up a space to worship in your home. Especially in times of crisis like COVID-19 with canceled church services, having a set place to pray at home can bring peace of mind when you most need it. You can purchase church supplies online for your at-home worship space, including things like candles or banners. Investing in high-quality church supplies can help you feel like you are at the real thing while praying at home and may inspire you to do pray more often.

If you aren’t a religious person, you can still take time to reflect. Sitting in a quiet space and devoting time to meditation or yoga can help you release stress and practice mindfulness. There are dozens of free online resources that have tips on how to be more mindful, and things like guided meditations to help you get started. No matter how or why you do it, spending time practicing mindfulness or praying can help reduce anxiety, improve sleeping habits, and improve your mood.

As life gets busier, our mental and physical health is often pushed aside in favor of other responsibilities. However, it’s essential to do what you can to stay in good shape. Simple things like eating more fresh food, exercising, and setting time aside to reflect can all contribute to your overall health.

Your medicine cabinet is a great place to keep treats and treasures that can enhance your sense of well-being. Whether it’s over-the-counter drugs, safety must-haves, or natural remedies, keeping a fully stocked medicine cabinet is super important for your health! Are you looking to grow your collection of miracle workers? Keep reading below to find simple but amazing products you should definitely consider keeping in your medicine cabinet.

Calerie

Calerie is an all-natural NAD and NMN supplement company. Calorie restriction is one of their biggest focuses: CR is actually the only consistent intervention known to increase lifespan! They are dedicated to promoting calorie restriction for healthy weight loss and weight management, and their clinical trial showed minimal risk factors. Calerie participants displayed such good results that the company is now producing a variety of supplements!

Calerie Lifespan is weight management and anti-aging supplement with NAD+ for balanced cellular health and increased longevity. Benefits for this product include healthier weight management, intermittent fasting support, energy metabolism boost, and increased longevity. If you’re concerned with weight loss, metabolic rate, and the aging process, this vitamin supplement could make a great addition to your medicine cabinet.

They also have a few upcoming products that you should be on the lookout for Entourage, Sirtuin, and Immunity supplements. These supplements are sure to make a big impression, and when do they, it’ll be a great idea to add them to your collection of vitamins.

CBD Oil

Have you heard of CBD, but aren’t quite sure what it is (or what it can do for you)? Let Bloom & Oil be your guidebook! Bloom & Oil is a website that is full of informed CBD experts who give out advice, tips, recommendations, and information related to cannabis and CBD. In addition to that, they also give reviews on CBD products for you to use! Visit bloomandoil.com for the full scoop on CBD.

Imagine this: Beauty products combined with CBD. It sounds like a dream, but it’s a reality with the Emerald Deep Moisture Glow Oil! This luxury CBD facial oil is deeply moisturizing, fantastic for dull skin, reduces redness, and improves blemish-prone skin. In addition to containing CBD, it also has Hemp Seed Oil, Squalane, MeadowFoam Seed oil, and Borage Seed oil, which are all essential to keeping your skin moisturized!

There’s another star featured on Bloom & Oil: the Lord Jones Royal Oil! This oil is perfect for anyone looking for a multi-purpose oil that has no scent, no coloring, and no other additives. You can apply this oil to your skin or you can ingest it; whichever way you choose, you’ll get a relaxed sensation that will last a couple of hours.

These two oils are great additions to your medicine cabinet. Visit bloomandoil.com to stay up to date with any more product reviews they have to offer!

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has been credited for years as being a key superfood. This powerful combination of fatty acids may provide positive effects for your health, such as protecting your skin, hair, and teeth while boosting your heart’s health, and having important antimicrobial effects. You can either digest coconut oil in small doses or apply it to cuts or blemishes on your skin as a topical ointment. Whatever the need may be, there’s a good chance that coconut oil will be a key player in your medicine cabinet’s future.

The best part about stocking up your medicine cabinet is that all the products are selected with your best overall health in mind. We hope that these products are able to make a positive impact on your well-being!

Not getting out as much lately? You’re not alone: All over the world, people are finding themselves unable to get out and enjoy the bars, restaurants, and outdoor spaces that they’re used to. The precautions we’re taking now are essential to limiting the spread of a deadly disease, but these measures also have dangers of their own. Staying home can be boring, of course, but it can also worsen mental illness. The experts at Psychology Today, among others, have written on the mental health dangers of a quarantined lifestyle. As Psychology Today points out, previous evidence from quarantines related to SARS demonstrates that quarantines bring out symptoms of psychological distress.

Anyone can suffer in a quarantine. Here’s what you need to know about staying as happy and healthy as possible when you can’t get out of the house the way you used to.

Treat Yourself at Home

Over the course of your daily life, your home might not usually play a huge recreational role. Urban dwellers in small apartments may find that they go to the bar more often than to the liquor store and to restaurants more often than to the grocery stores or convenience stores. That has to change now, though.

So, stock up on the good stuff and treat yourself! Get some fine wine from the local liquor store — many are offering curbside pickup and other limited-contact delivery options. Be sure to take advantage of delivery so that you keep yourself safe; it’s worth waiting a few business days or hours for that Pinot Noir.

Just be wary of the effects of alcohol on your body. Alcohol isn’t exactly healthy, and therapists caution against it as it is a depressant. Keep that in mind, and don’t place too many beers and wine orders with liquor stores and convenience stores. Balance things out with food and other treats, and be mindful of your health.

Stay Informed

The news can be depressing these days, but that doesn’t mean that it’s bad for you. In fact, Psychology Today writes that research has found that staying informed mitigates some of the effects that quarantined life has on a person’s mental health.

Of course, this does not mean that you should immerse yourself in internet rumors and sensationalist news sources. What it means is that you should set aside a little time each day to keep track of the situation and learn any key facts that you might need to know about keeping yourself safe — and sane!

Get Moving

Exercise isn’t easy when you’re stuck at home. Some social isolation guidelines allow for outdoor exercise, but that’s not necessarily an option for some urban dwellers. Gyms are closed, and other exercise options are off-limits, too. So, what can you do?

Body weight exercises are a good alternative to a gym trip. Climbing stairs, if you have some in your home, can be a good workout as well. And standing and stretching is a good bare-minimum way to keep from sitting or lying down all day long. A little movement will be good for both your psychical and mental health.

Get Online Therapy

Therapy is one of the best things for mental stress and mental illness. So, what can you do while you can’t go visit a therapist or counselor in person? In a stay-at-home situation, mental health care may seem inaccessible.

Thanks to online therapy and online counseling, mental health care isn’t as hard to come by under quarantine circumstances as it might have been a few years ago. Online counseling services can involve local or global care; a San Francisco therapist might offer online counseling in San Francisco, or he or she might offer online counseling in Idaho or around the world. That’s the power of online chats and face-to-face therapy over videoconference software: A San Francisco therapist isn’t limited to San Francisco at all!

Feeling attractive is more psychological than physical. Believe it or not, there is a science to attractiveness that goes beyond genetics. These are some scientific ways to make yourself look and feel more attractive.

Wear the Right Scent

Fragrances have a powerful impact on the brain. Some scents can trigger positive emotions and bring out good memories. Confidence is directly related to positivity, so it makes sense to wear a fragrance associated with happy times. Wearing a subtle amount of an attractive fragrance makes one more attractive to others, which further increases confidence and inspires an attractive body language.

Dress in Red

A pop of color in an outfit is a great way to attract attention. Wearing red, the color of passion, not only attracts attention but it also makes people see the wearer as more attractive. Studies have shown that men perceive women to be more attractive, even sexier when wearing red clothing or lipstick. The color itself is what draws attention, and the feeling of being noticed is what leads to feeling more confident.

Makeup and Eyebrows

Well-maintained eyebrows go a long way toward attractiveness. Get in the habit of regularly shaping eyebrows either at home or with an esthetician and know how to fill in sparse areas and create a defined arch. Many cultures find bold eyebrows that create facial contrast as highly attractive.

Women should wear simple makeup and pop it with colorful lipstick and played up eyes. Wearing mascara opens the eyes, lengthens lashes, and defines the eyes. Applying magnetic eyelashes is a quick and simple way to create an attractive look. Glamnetic’s magnetic eyeliner and mink eyelashes can be reused multiple times. Simply remove lashes with olive oil or coconut oil and place them back in their magnetized tray to keep their shape. Glamnetic carries a range of eyelashes in different lengths and colors to help women achieve any desired look.

Stand Tall

Body language and posture play a big role in attractiveness. Taking a dominant stance or power pose increases confidence and signals to others a sense of power. Lazy or standoffish body language, like hunched shoulders or crossed arms, is less attractive. Standing tall with shoulders back and arms relaxed gives an approachable vibe and attracts others.

Those with strong jawlines are perceived as more attractive. Women who see men with their chins up perceive them as assertive and confident. Be conscious of holding the head up high in a way that defines the jawline and slims the neck.

Don’t Forget Sunglasses

Wearing sunglasses adds a sense of mystery to any look and boosts facial symmetry. Just like clothing, it’s important to wear the right sunglasses that complement face shape. Rounder faces do better with angular frames while angular faces do better with rounder frames. The right style of sunglasses makes the face look more proportionate which increases attractiveness.

Get an Adrenaline Rush

A healthy way to boost attractiveness is to exercise. Exercising causes the brain to release endorphins that lower stress levels, give a sense of well-being, and boost confidence. These factors not only make one feel more attractive, but others also notice as well. Another way to be more attractive is to participate in extreme activities that cause an adrenaline rush. Women tend to find men who do risky activities, like extreme sports, more attractive.

Well-being starts from within and sometimes a little help goes a long way. Complement exercise with daily CBD usage to increase feelings of calm and relaxation. The CBD Insider features in-depth product reviews from major CBD brands. The more that CBD becomes mainstream and popular, the more consumers want to make informed decisions about what to use and why. The CBD Insider routinely publishes articles to educate consumers and give them the tools necessary to make informed purchase decisions.

While many differences exist between men and women, significant differences are those that relate to health. For instance, men are more likely to make unhealthy choices and engage in habits such as drinking alcohol and smoking.

Men are less likely to visit a primary care physician and have regular checkups and receive medical and preventive care compared to women. Additionally, men are at risk of developing health conditions that don’t affect women, such as low testosterone and prostate cancer.

Visiting a primary care physician and medical professionals with specialized practices can help men prevent the onset of health risks such as heart disease, osteoporosis, colon cancer, and other forms of cancer. Having regular screening tests enables doctors to find conditions and treat them early.

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Some people avoid seeking medical treatment because they don’t have medical insurance and can’t afford out-of-pocket costs. A health insurance plan is crucial to health outcomes, as having health insurance may help someone feel more secure about visiting a medical professional or facility.

A health plan enables people to receive regular preventive care, utilize emergency services, and pay for prescription drugs. Communicating honestly and establishing a good rapport and physician-patient relationship with a doctor ensures effective treatment plans and prevents inaccurate diagnoses and unnecessary tests.

Men who need a primary care physician and seek health coverage for medical costs should use online tools and visit HealthInsurance.com, a website that provides health insurance quotes online. This resource gives free quotes and extensive information regarding healthcare in the United States, the Affordable Care Act, Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans, and insurance companies.

Using HealthInsurance.com, men can review and compare health insurance quotes for available plan options in the United States, and will have enough information to make a choice that suits their health and financial needs.

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Another way for men to improve their health is to change their skincare routine. Some men may think regular shower gels and soap are sufficient for washing their faces. The truth is, in many cases, regular soap harms facial skin more than it helps.

Regular bars of soap, designed to cleanse the body rather than the face, can be too harsh to use for facial cleansing. Ordinary soap may cause facial dryness. For fresh, better feeling skin and improved health, men should use face washes and skincare products from an expert source on health and skincare, such as Mallama.

Mallama creates personal skincare products for men, made from all-natural ingredients. These vegan, nontoxic products benefit all skin types and optimize the skincare application process. A percentage of sales from Mallama products goes toward organizations that complete positive environmental work.

With such donations and Mallama’s use of recycled packaging, Mallama skincare products contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable Earth. While improving men’s health and skin, Mallama simultaneously helps the planet.

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Men can improve their health and maintain good physical ability and weight by staying physically active. Incorporating activities such as jogging, walking, and swimming into a regular exercise routine can improve outcomes and benefit men’s health as they age. Adhering to a healthy diet comprised of vegetables, fruits, and meats that provide lean sources of protein can improve men’s health.

Limiting and avoiding the intake of foods high in saturated fat and salt can be beneficial. Men can preserve and enhance their health, the way they feel, and the energy they have by getting adequate sleep and rest, following stress management practices, and avoiding nicotine and tobacco products and the excessive consumption of alcohol and other substances.

Routine medical checkups, a skincare regimen, and other ways of tending to one’s physical, mental, and emotional health can improve men’s health and quality of life.

Endometriosis involves the presence and growth of endometrial-like tissue outside of the uterine cavity. As one of the most common gynecological conditions, endometriosis ("endo") affects one in 10 women. The most common symptoms of endo include menstrual irregularities, chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and dysmenorrhea.

Living with endometriosis isn't easy, and the symptoms of the condition often affect the psychological and social functioning of individuals affected. For many patients, the symptoms of endo significantly compromise social relationships, sexuality, and mental health, leading to social isolation, anxiety, and depression. If you're struggling to keep your social life alive and function with endo, here are some ways to cope.

Reach Out for Support

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From family to personal relationships to work, the symptoms of endo can take control of every aspect of your life. Surrounding yourself with the support of close friends and family can help you avoid social isolation when your anxiety and depression are at their worst.

Social support is a valuable coping mechanism, but in some situations, sharing your experience with friends and family can be challenging. Endometriosis is a complicated condition, and some friends and family members may be quick to tell you that you're just exaggerating.

If you're not getting the support you need from friends or family, joining an online endometriosis support group can provide the opportunity to share your experience with women in similar situations. Additionally, try asking your gynecologist about local endo support groups for in-person opportunities to swap strategies for coping with endo.

If you're experiencing anxiety or depression, reach out for professional help. The expert specialists at the Therapy Group of DC, a group of therapists in DC, provide personalized, data-driven treatment plans for each patient. Whether you're fighting social isolation or struggling to function at work, the professionals at the Therapy Group of DC can help you learn healthy ways to cope.

Focus on Your Diet

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Dealing with anxiety and depression can feel overwhelming, and it's easy to reach for unhealthy foods if you're not in a great mental space. However, according to HealthSoul, an online directory of hospitals, travel insurance, health insurance, and doctors, all-natural treatment methods, like eating a healthy diet, can improve the symptoms of depression and reduce endometriosis pain.

In one randomized controlled trial, symptoms of depression improved significantly among subjects who followed a Meditteranean-style diet for three weeks. The study reported that the depression "score" of participants fell from the "moderate" to "normal" range, and participants also reported feeling less stressed and anxious.

Another study found that a high intake of fresh fruit and vegetables reduced the relative risk of endometriosis by 40 percent. Meanwhile, diets high in beef, red meat, and ham increased the relative risk between 80 and 100 percent. Consequently, increasing your fruit and vegetable intake and incorporating Omega-3 fatty acids into your diet may be able to reduce the pain associated with endo and improve the symptoms of depression.

Practice Self-Care

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According to a study by the National Institute of Health, stress can worsen the symptoms of endometriosis, and dealing with the symptoms of endo can further heighten stress levels. To avoid getting caught in a never-ending cycle, aim to incorporate self-care into your daily routine.

If you're not sure where to start, try tracking your period, endo symptoms, and mood swings to obtain an idea of when you experience the worst symptoms. If possible, clear your calendar to avoid feeling overwhelmed by social and work obligations when your symptoms are at their worst.

Living with endo is both emotionally and physically draining, and paying attention to your mind and body connection can help you feel better. In a recent study, mindful meditation improved pain and depression symptoms in individuals with chronic pain. If meditation isn't for you, creating a photo journal using a private photo storage device or writing down your feelings in a notebook can help you reap the same therapeutic benefits.

Dealing with the symptoms of endometriosis can feel overwhelming, and many women with endo experience anxiety and depression. Reaching out for help, focusing on your diet, and practicing self-care can help you avoid sacrificing your social relationships and mental health because of endo.

The cost of a traditional funeral ranges between $7,000 and $12,000, including basic service fees, a casket, viewing and burial, and other preparation. With the cost of funerals steadily rising, thinking about how to secure funds for your funeral can help you avoid sending your loved ones into a financial disaster.

If you're planning to set aside money in your will, it's important to keep in mind that your survivors won't be able to access your wealth until the court probates your estate, which can take a few months to a year. In most cases, funeral homes ask for full payment upfront, meaning your survivors may risk debt when paying for your funeral. Instead, here's how selling your life insurance policy can help you cover the cost of your funeral.

What is a life settlement?

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If you're covered under a life insurance policy, you can sell your policy to a buyer in return for a lump-sum payment. When you sell your life insurance policy to a life settlement company or life settlement broker, they take over paying the monthly premiums on your policy to keep it in place.

Depending on your financial situation, selling your life insurance policy may be able to help you cover the costs of your funeral and provide financial assistance to your loved ones after your death.

How can I sell my life insurance policy?

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To qualify for a life settlement, the face value of your policy must be at least $100,00 and you must be at least 70 years of age. If you're not sure how much your life insurance policy is worth, contact your insurance company and speak to an agent.

If you're suffering from a terminal illness or have a reduced life expectancy, you may qualify for a viatical settlement. Life insurance policyholders with terminal illnesses such as Alzheimer's or cancer do not need to meet an age requirement to qualify for a viatical settlement. To find out more about how a viatical settlement can give you financial peace of mind, Google “what is a viatical settlement“ or visit the American Life Fund to see if your policy qualifies.

How much should I set aside for my funeral?

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Depending on whether you're planning to be buried or cremated, funerals can cost up to $9,000 or more. In some cases, caskets and urns can cost thousands of dollars or more, depending on the style and material. Calculating the cost of your funeral beforehand can give you peace of mind and help you set aside enough to help your loved ones pay for funeral expenses.

If you're planning your funeral with a budget in mind, remember that add-ons can add thousands of dollars to the overall cost. To obtain a general idea of how much you'll be spending, shop around for funeral services and add-ons you want by contacting local funeral homes and asking for quotes. Although most consumers don't shop around for funeral services, it can help you understand your options before making any major purchases.

How can I save money on my funeral?

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In addition to shopping around, purchasing funeral items—like caskets and liners—from a third-party can help you cut costs. By comparing prices and purchasing items through a third party, you can reduce the cost of your funeral by thousands of dollars without sacrificing the integrity of your arrangement. To further reduce costs, consider skipping embalming or hosting memorial services at a private home.

Cremation can also help you save on funeral costs. With Legacy Cremation, a trusted cremation provider, the costs of transportation, certified copies of the death certificate, cremation approval, and assistance in filing for VA benefits are included in the cost of a cremation package. The professionals at Legacy Cremation can also help you plan a unique and meaningful ceremony to honor your life.

All in all, selling your life insurance policy for a lump-sum payment can help you gain financial peace of mind, cover the cost of your funeral, and provide for your loved ones after your death.

Endometriosis involves the presence and growth of endometrial-like tissue outside of the uterine cavity. As one of the most common gynecological conditions, endometriosis ("endo") affects one in 10 women. The most common symptoms of endo include menstrual irregularities, chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and dysmenorrhea.

Living with endometriosis isn't easy, and the symptoms of the condition often affect the psychological and social functioning of individuals affected. For many patients, the symptoms of endo significantly compromise social relationships, sexuality, and mental health, leading to social isolation, anxiety, and depression. If you're struggling to keep your social life alive and function with endo, here are some ways to cope.

Reach Out for Support

Photo Credit: Unsplash

From family to personal relationships to work, the symptoms of endo can take control of every aspect of your life. Surrounding yourself with the support of close friends and family can help you avoid social isolation when your anxiety and depression are at their worst.

Social support is a valuable coping mechanism, but in some situations, sharing your experience with friends and family can be challenging. Endometriosis is a complicated condition, and some friends and family members may be quick to tell you that you're just exaggerating.

If you're not getting the support you need from friends or family, joining an online endometriosis support group can provide the opportunity to share your experience with women in similar situations. Additionally, try asking your gynecologist about local endo support groups for in-person opportunities to swap strategies for coping with endo.

If you're experiencing anxiety or depression, reach out for professional help. The expert specialists at the Therapy Group of DC, a group of therapists in DC, provide personalized, data-driven treatment plans for each patient. Whether you're fighting social isolation or struggling to function at work, the professionals at the Therapy Group of DC can help you learn healthy ways to cope.

Focus on Your Diet

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Dealing with anxiety and depression can feel overwhelming, and it's easy to reach for unhealthy foods if you're not in a great mental space. However, according to HealthSoul, an online directory of hospitals, travel insurance, health insurance, and doctors, all-natural treatment methods, like eating a healthy diet, can improve the symptoms of depression and reduce endometriosis pain.

In one randomized controlled trial, symptoms of depression improved significantly among subjects who followed a Meditteranean-style diet for three weeks. The study reported that the depression "score" of participants fell from the "moderate" to "normal" range, and participants also reported feeling less stressed and anxious.

Another study found that a high intake of fresh fruit and vegetables reduced the relative risk of endometriosis by 40 percent. Meanwhile, diets high in beef, red meat, and ham increased the relative risk between 80 and 100 percent. Consequently, increasing your fruit and vegetable intake and incorporating Omega-3 fatty acids into your diet may be able to reduce the pain associated with endo and improve the symptoms of depression.

Practice Self-Care

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According to a study by the National Institute of Health, stress can worsen the symptoms of endometriosis, and dealing with the symptoms of endo can further heighten stress levels. To avoid getting caught in a never-ending cycle, aim to incorporate self-care into your daily routine.

If you're not sure where to start, try tracking your period, endo symptoms, and mood swings to obtain an idea of when you experience the worst symptoms. If possible, clear your calendar to avoid feeling overwhelmed by social and work obligations when your symptoms are at their worst.

Living with endo is both emotionally and physically draining, and paying attention to your mind and body connection can help you feel better. In a recent study, mindful meditation improved pain and depression symptoms in individuals with chronic pain. If meditation isn't for you, creating a photo journal using a private photo storage device or writing down your feelings in a notebook can help you reap the same therapeutic benefits.

Dealing with the symptoms of endometriosis can feel overwhelming, and many women with endo experience anxiety and depression. Reaching out for help, focusing on your diet, and practicing self-care can help you avoid sacrificing your social relationships and mental health because of endo.