For most of history, many cultures honor the sun, praising it for providing people with good health and life. Back then, sunbathing was often prescribed to promote health and treat many illnesses, such as skin ailments and tuberculosis. It turns out that sunlight may be the remedy our ancestors thought it was—for both body and mind.

Preventative health care is one of the most critical routines to develop for long-term health, but many of us put routine health screenings on hold as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. For instance, 38% of women passed on routine check-ups and tests during the height of the pandemic, according to a 2021 Kaiser Family Foundation survey.

Women have made tremendous progress in recent decades in terms of educational attainment and career opportunities, yet they continue to be at greater risk than men of not achieving a financially secure retirement.

Taking good care of your heart – exercising, eating healthy, and getting regular checkups – are, of course, essential for good health and for your heart. However, there is a lot of research on actionable practices you can start today to not only help your heart health but also prevent other chronic diseases from arising.

Saving, investing, and planning for a financially secure retirement is a major challenge for just about everyone. It can be especially difficult for some people more than others.

It’s never too soon (or too late) to begin caring for your heart. Embracing a healthy lifestyle at any age can keep your heart healthy, prevent heart disease, and lower your heart attack or stroke risk. There are some powerful lifestyle factors that are often encouraged when trying to keep your heart healthy. However, a component we often overlook when thinking of heart health is the influence our relationships can have on this vital organ.

Experiencing a natural disaster or other emergency events can be incredibly stressful. Even after the immediate danger has passed, the impact can still be felt by those who had to endure the event. Why is this relevant now? Well, the frequency and intensity of these events are increasing each year. For instance, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information from 2017-2021, there were 17.8 weather/climate disaster events that exceeded $1 billion per year compared to 12.8 per year in 2010-2019. Additionally, there have been at least 15 events with each loss exceeding $1 billion to affect the United States in 2022.

In late December, as many people were taking time off to celebrate the holidays, the President and Congress passed new legislation. The SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 gets its name from Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement. It’s aptly named 2.0 because it’s a follow up to the SECURE Act of 2019. It has dozens of new provisions aimed at improving retirement security among U.S. workers.

Taxes unite us. How, you ask? Most people don’t like paying taxes – and many don’t like preparing them, either. A survey by Wallet Hub found that 35% of people would rather miss a connecting flight, and 17% would rather swim with sharks than do their taxes. But, as Benjamin Franklin wrote, “In this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.” And it’s that time of year again.

If someone offered you a way to improve your health and well-being, you would take it, right? I'm thinking most of us would in a New York second, and in this case, I'm pleased to report that research has found that traveling may do more than just give you a break from reality, it may boost your health and overall well-being. Thankfully, as COVID-19 restrictions relax, now may be a good time to dust off the old passport or plan a day trip somewhere new.