People spend $300 more on socializing in the summer than other seasons

People spend $300 more on socializing in the summer than other seasonsPeople spend $300 more on socializing in the summer than other seasonsAs the temperatures rise during summer, cooking ur meals becomes much less appealing. Sitting outside in a backyard restaurant sipping on drinks with friends seems like a just reward after being cooped up indoors all winter. But one drink becomes drinks and appetizers for the table and suddenly we are hit with a triple-digit bill.According to a new Capital One survey, this is a normal spending behavior, because we are more likely to spend money on dining out this summer than at any other time of the year.We spend more on socializing during summer than any other seasonThe survey of 1,000 Americans found that eating out for dinner is a guilty pleasure for us during the summer months. When summer comes, so do the invitations to get out of the house and socialize. And those happy-hour get-togethers add up. On average, U.S. adults spend $305 more on s ocializing during the summer months than any other season.Turns out, we like to spend our summer paychecks on dinners. Dining out was the top activity the majority of Americans - 80%- said they would be doing this summer.Theres another way to socialize that does not involve costly drinks and overpriced entrees. Fifty-four percent of Americans said they would prefer to host a dinner party for their friends than take out them all out for dinner on their dime. You can heed their fiscal advice. If you notice that you are overspending on drinks and eating, try hosting people over for a meal at your house. Your slim wallet will thank you.

The physical and emotional benefits of owning a pet

The physical and emotional benefits of owning a petThe physical and emotional benefits of owning a petRecent data on the topic of healthy aging published by researchers from The University of Michigan posits that owning pets provides several benefits to overall wellness.The authors explain, Pets can offer companionship and have a positive impact on a persons health and well-being.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreSource and methodsA poll of about 2,000 US citizens, ages 50 to 80, states the thesis more clearly.About 55% of the participants owned pets. Although dogs were the fruchtwein popular pets by a significant margin, the researchers found no sizeable disparity in boosts to mental health in owners of other kinds of animals. However, it should be noted that nearly 80% of dog owners, in particular, cited their pet as the reason for their increased physical activity (68% of peopl e that owned pets other than dogs seconded this notion).About 90% of pet owners said that their animals helped them feel appreciated and enjoy life more. Seventy-nine percent believed their pets provided reductions to stress.More abstractly, nearly 75% felt that their pets gifted them a sense of purpose by way of forcing them to adhere to a daily routine, though more than halfof the respondents said that having a furry friend around helped them mitigate physical and emotional ailments to some degree or another.According to the authors of the poll, Among those who lived alone and/or reported fair or poor physical health, 72% said pets help them cope with physical or emotional symptoms. Two in five of those who live alone (43%) and 46% of those in fair or poor physical health reported that their pets help take their mind off the pain.The most consistent set back seemed to relate to restrictions on freedom. More than half of the participants included in the poll conceded that their pet has made leaving their house and traveling particularly difficult. A little less than 20% claimed their pet presented some financial setbacks and a very small margin of individuals (6%) said their animals had caused them to get seriously injured in some way.The poll concludes by highlighting the implications of the cons. More than one in four of participants of fair to poor medical health, lamented that their animals needs often take president over their own, so its important to predetermine if you have the faculties and fortitude to take on a pet.Factors like location, financial standing and health should certainly be taken into account, to avoid neglecting self-care.Even still, the implications certainly suggest more positive than negative.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Wellness Programs for Police Officers

Wellness Programs for Police OfficersWellness Programs for Police OfficersIts no secret that physical and mental stress can have serious consequences for your well being. It shouldnt be surprising, then, to learn that researchers have found that working as a polizze officer can contribute to health problems. To combat the health hazards that come with policing, individual officers and entire agencies are looking to wellness programs for police and other criminal justice professionals. What Are Wellness Programs? According to the United States Department of Health Human Services, wellness programs are plans employers - like police departments or corrections agencies - can offer to their employees to encourage and promote healthy lifestyles. Usually, they consist of incentives for healthy choices. They might also mean consequences for poor health choices. An employer might offer plans to help members stop smoking, free gym memberships and weight loss programs to their employees. T hey may also include rewards - like extra money or vacation days - for officers who meet or exceed health goals. In short, wellness programs are designed to help keep workers healthy. Why Its Important to Promote Wellness Because of the physical rigors and stresses associated with criminal justice work, police and corrections officers can face a variety of health issues throughout their careers. Besides health issues, though, officers really need to be in good physical and mental health in buchung to do their jobs to begin with. Criminal justice agencies spend hundreds of thousands of dollars sending their applicants to physical fitness assessments, medical exams, and psychological evaluations. Once hired, though, thats often the end of the focus on officer health. In the meantime, many officers combine poor eating habits, physical and mental stress, and the fatigue that comes from long hours, overtime programs and shift work. All of that contributes to deteriorating health and, consequently, a less capable and reliable workforce. What Can Wellness Programs Do for Police Departments? The United States Centers for Disease Control cite multiple studies that detail why wellness programs make good business sense for employers. Specifically, theyve been able to show that healthier employees tend to be happier, which in turn makes them mora productive. Even more significant for law enforcement and corrections departments, though, is the fact that improved employee health reduces absenteeism and on-the-job injuries. That means more people are coming to work and staying at work as opposed to calling in sick. Further, if people arent getting hurt at work, it means that not only are they able to continue being productive employees, but those employers have fewer liability costs that come with on-the-job injuries. Perhaps more importantly, though, is the fact that people who work for agencies with robust wellness programs tend to feel better about their employer. They report a sense that the agency really cares about them, and because of that, theyre more likely to keep working for the department instead of looking for jobs elsewhere. This can go a long way toward relieving the problem of turnover and employee retention in police departments. Why Should Officers Want Wellness Programs? Officers should want to work with their agencies to promote wellness so they can stay healthy and live longer. Criminal justice careers are dangerous enough without the added problems of poor health. Officers should be interested in taking advantage of any program that can help them survive the job. Police and corrections officers who remain healthy throughout their jobs are in much better shape to enjoy what life may bring to their careers. Wellness programs for criminal justice professionals can ensure officers enjoy long and happy retirements as their rewards for a good job done well.