CNB Medical News: The Winter Blues

(NAPSI)—You may have heard the terms—winter blues, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Depressive Disorder with a Seasonal Pattern. No matter what you call it, with approximately 17.3 million adults in the U.S. experiencing seasonal depression, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, feeling gloomy this time of year isn’t uncommon—but it can be overcome.

The Problem

Depressive Disorder with a Seasonal Pattern (formerly called SAD) can affect anyone of any age. Whether you’re a student returning to class, a busy working professional who’s always playing catchup, or even newly retired with found time on your hands, the excitement of the holidays is long over and wintry dark days are here. While January and February are the typical peak months for the disorder, symptoms can persist through April, according to Mental Health America.

Doctor’s Advice

When that feeling of sadness persists for several weeks, it’s time to take action, according to Dr. Desreen Dudley, a licensed Clinical Psychologist and Behavioral Health Provider of Therapeutic Services for Teladoc Health. But, she points out, often the toughest thing for many is how to discern whether what they feel is temporary or something more serious.

“If someone has a few days of feeling low, that’s normal and typically nothing to worry about. It’s when the feeling lingers for weeks and people lose interest in daily activities and suffer persistent negative thoughts, that lend a stronger basis for Depressive Disorder with a Seasonal Affective Pattern diagnosis,” she says.

What To Watch For

Other symptoms she warns about are:

•Change in appetite

•Change in sleep pattern

•Decreased energy

•Decreased concentration

•Feelings of worthlessness or guilt

•An inability to think, concentrate, or finish tasks at work or school

•Thinking about suicide, self-harm, or death

Dr. Dudley contends individuals already struggling with depressive disorders are susceptible to SAD patterns. For older Americans, a Vitamin D deficiency can exacerbate low moods. On the other end of the spectrum, she has worked with newly independent college students who find SAD a heavy burden and say their new responsibilities of classes, exams and jobs can compound their depression. For some, not rising as early for classes as they did in high school means sleeping in more and further limiting their exposure to sunlight.

What To Do

In addition to considering therapy, such as virtual care, which is available on your terms and from any location you choose, Dr. Dudley recommends:

•Avoiding or cutting back on alcohol and other addictive substances

•Eating healthfully—more lean proteins, fruits and vegetables, and eliminating sugar

•Daily exercise at least 30 minute a day (walking counts)

•Yoga or meditation

•Learning about and trying light therapy

•Regularly surrounding yourself with those you enjoy being around.

When To Seek Help

According to a recent global study conducted by Ipsos MORI for Teladoc Health, individuals often recognize when they’re struggling, but even so, over a third of the respondents who have had one mental health episode admitted to not seeking professional help. The reason? For many, it’s often the difficulty in finding mental health care.

“Thankfully, virtual care is becoming increasingly available as a source of convenient mental health care,” Dr. Dudley says. “It eliminates the traditional obstacles of in-person visits and has opened up access for anyone with a busy schedule, individuals who may have difficulty getting out of the house and students who may fear the stigma of walking into the campus mental health clinic.”

Learn More

For further information, visit

www.Teladoc.com/therapy

(Video)Why kids who know how to lose get way ahead

Po Bronson

Bestselling author Po Bronson explains why kids who are afraid of losing are at risk of never really succeeding. Po Bronson is the coauthor of the 2009 book

NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children

. The book discusses theories and scientific aspects of parenting.

Hear Bronson’s thoughts on

competition

boy and girl differences

motivation

, and

roughhousing

by:

GreatSchools Staff

Gloucester High School

Gloucester Catholic High School

Brooklawn School District

Tips for keeping your car insurance low

Gloucestercitynews.net (February 17, 2020)–Auto insurance is a tailor-made product, and your policy is very much your own based on factors that are exclusive to you. It is not a fixed cost and could cost you some good money. Still, you can lower it through better bargaining with the insurance company to get better

insurance quotes

only when asked for. Having adequate coverage does a lot of good when you face adverse situations that damage the car or injure others and damage property. The insurance policy protects you financially as the insurance company pays out for the damage when you lodge a claim.

It does not require that you cut down driving, which can help to lower the premium because there are many other

ways to obtain other discounts

which, when added together, considerably lower the premium.

Focus on safe driving

Since insurance rates depend upon the risk assessed by the insurance company, the more you prove that you are a safer driver, the lower would be the insurance rate. On the other hand, if you are accident prone and used to frequent traffic violations, be ready to pay higher insurance. To ensure safe driving, drive at moderate speed, and stay alert and agile so that you have better control over the vehicle and avoid accidents. Maintaining the smallest list of traffic violations is the way to keep insurance costs low.

Buy an insurance friendly car

The car is a major factor that determines the insurance rate, and when you buy a car, check if there are better models from the insurance perspective. The cost of the car and its fancy features are reasons for a higher premium, and it is better to choose a car that is more need-oriented than an object of vanity. The value of the vehicle has a direct relation to the collision coverage, and it is inherent in some car models to attract higher insurance. If you buy a sports car or something that one can interpret to be a sports car, then you must be ready to pay higher insurance as you must for other luxury cars.

Avail behavior-based discounts

Insurance companies reward well-behaved and disciplined drivers with favorable insurance rates by offering discounts. Having a clean driving history underlines the safe driving habits and lowers the risk which the insurance company acknowledges by charging a lower premium. The more control you have on your driving behavior, the better it is because you can claim better rates from insurance companies.

Focus on care safety features

Choose a car that matches your budget and has adequate safety features. Avoid buying a car that might cost less because of fewer safety features because insurance companies rely on better safety features that can minimize vehicle damage after accidents and lower the claim amount. Striking a balance between the cost of the car and its safety features, which must be something more than the minimum, will lead to a lower premium.

If you can reduce the average driven distance in a year, the insurance will be lower.

Philly Baptist Church Minister Says Trump\’s Opportunity Zone Program is Working (video)

Rev. Todd Johnson, \”Trump changed Philadelphia for the better, people are waking up to pandering Dems.\”

PHILADELPHIA, PA (February 15, 2020)–Appearing on

\”Fox & Friends: Weekend\”

, Reverend Todd Johnson, of the

First Immanuel Baptist

Church

said Saturday the Opportunity Zone in the city of brotherly love — created by the 2017

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

— is working.

According to the

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

, Opportunity Zones are designed to spur

economic

development and

job creation

in distressed communities throughout the United States by providing tax benefits to investors who invest eligible capital gains by making an appropriate investment and meet other requirements.

(CONTINUE TO READ)

Watch the latest video at

foxnews.com

Philly Baptist Church Minister Says Trump\’s Opportunity Zone Program is Working (video)

Rev. Todd Johnson, \”Trump changed Philadelphia for the better, people are waking up to pandering Dems.\”

PHILADELPHIA, PA (February 15, 2020)–Appearing on

\”Fox & Friends: Weekend\”

, Reverend Todd Johnson, of the

First Immanuel Baptist

Church

said Saturday the Opportunity Zone in the city of brotherly love — created by the 2017

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

— is working.

According to the

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

, Opportunity Zones are designed to spur

economic

development and

job creation

in distressed communities throughout the United States by providing tax benefits to investors who invest eligible capital gains by making an appropriate investment and meet other requirements.

(CONTINUE TO READ)

Watch the latest video at

foxnews.com

Beware of Social Security Scams

NEWS FOR OLDER AMERICANS

(NAPSI)—Calls and e-mails from scammers pretending to be government employees are widespread. Social Security phone scams are the #1 scam

If you get a threatening call from someone saying they are from Social Security, it is from a scammer.

reported to the Federal Trade Commission. Chances are you, a friend, or a family member have received a call like this.

You don’t have to be receiving benefits to become a victim. You may get a call saying there is a problem with your Social Security number or account. Everyone, regardless of age, income, and geography, is at risk. Scammers will try to scare and trick you into giving them your personal information or money.

Is It A Scam?

The best way to protect yourself and your money is to recognize a scam. Scammers use intimidating language and often offer a “solution” to fix what they say is a serious problem with your Social Security number or account. How can you tell when it’s a scam? Social Security will not:

• Say your Social Security number has been suspended.

• Promise a Social Security benefit approval or increase in exchange for information.

• Call to demand an immediate payment.

• Insist you pay a debt without the ability to appeal the amount you owe.

• Require payment by retail gift card, pre-paid debit card, Internet currency, wire transfer, or by mailing cash.

• Ask for your personal information.

Scammers prey on your fears. The stories they tell you would scare anyone. No matter how horrible the story, if they do anything above, it’s a scam.

What Should You Do?

If you receive a suspicious call, the safest thing for you to do is:

1. Hang up!

2. Don’t share personal information or make a payment.

3. Report the scam to the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General at

https://oig.ssa.gov.

And, if you receive such threats via e-mail, delete the e-mail and do not click on any links or download any attachments. Even if the e-mail or an attachment contains Social Security’s seal or names of real people, ignore it. Then, report the scam.

Other Tips

How about if Social Security needs to contact you? Generally, they will mail you a letter and only contact you by phone if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with them.

Usually, Social Security will mail you a letter that contains telephone numbers for contacting them. You can also contact Social Security by calling 1-800-772-1213 or visiting

SSA.gov

Scammers are always looking for the next way to trick someone. No matter how someone might try to scam you, learning the warning signs shared here can go a long way to protecting yourself and someone you care about from identify theft and financial loss.

If you think you have been scammed, don’t be embarrassed. Report the scam to Social Security’s Office of the Inspector General at

https://oig.ssa.gov

and share this important information with your family and friends.

Philadelphia Bar Association\’s Statement on Alleged Racially Derogatory Remarks by Judge

PHILADELPHIA, PA –

In response to recent reports that Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas Judge Mark Tranquilli is alleged to have made racially derogatory comments about a black juror,

Philadelphia Bar Association

Chancellor Hon. A. Michael Snyder (ret.) issued the following statement:

“The Philadelphia Bar Association, and its members, have long been committed to the

imperative of respect for all individuals. We cannot, and will not, tolerate comments by a jurist which reflect racial bias or disparagement. The allegation of any such comments by a judge demands a full investigation.

“We condemn the comments alleged to have been made by Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas Judge Mark Tranquilli. We join with the Allegheny County Bar Association and the Pennsylvania Bar Association in demanding a full and complete investigation of the alleged conduct.

“Such comments, if made, reflect an intolerance and lack of respect for all involved in the judicial process. The fair administration of justice demands that everyone, of any race, ethnicity or gender be treated with dignity and respect.

“We cannot expect our citizenry to respect the judicial process if members of the judiciary do not demonstrate a respect for those who appear before them.

“We must remember that justice denied to one is justice denied to all.

“Therefore, we anticipate a full and appropriate review by the Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board. We further anticipate a speedy and just resolution of these charges.”

Aramark Cause Coffee to Benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of America

Aramark volunteers participated in a beautification project to support the Boys and Girls Club Nicetown location, in Philadelphia, during the company’s global day of service, Aramark Building Community Day, last September. Today, Aramark announced it is donating a portion of sales from javia®, its private label coffee, and Reserve by javia, its new, premium line, to Boys & Girls Clubs of America. (Photo: Business Wire)

PHILADELPHIA–(

BUSINESS WIRE

)–Each year, Aramark provides over one billion cups of coffee and 400 million cold drinks to workplaces around the country. This year, Aramark is donating a portion of sales from javia®, its private label coffee, and Reserve by javia, its new, premium line, to Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Reserve by javia and javia coffees have been designated as a “Good Cause Coffee,” where a portion of sales is donated to local non-profit organizations. Now in its fifth year, the “Good Cause Coffee” campaign has donated $500,000 to various community centers across the country.

Aramark became a corporate partner of Boys & Girls Clubs of America in 2019, and this year will focus the “Good Cause Coffee” dollars on supporting their mission of helping all youth achieve great futures. Boys & Girls Clubs of America, which had its beginnings in 1860, help keep kids and teens safe after school by providing a positive environment where they can learn, play and grow. The organization’s goal is to enable all young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.

\”We are so excited to be the beneficiary of Aramark’s ‘Good Cause Coffee’ this year,” said Chad Royal-Pascoe, National Vice President, Corporate and Cause Partnerships, at Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “These donations will help us reach more youth and give them access to the tools and resources they need to succeed in life. We are so thankful to Aramark and their commitment to great futures.”

There are more than 4,600 Boys & Girls Clubs across the country that serve over 4.7 million young people. Many of Aramark\’s employees volunteer at these Clubs through

Aramark Building Community

, the company’s global volunteer and philanthropic program. Going forward, Aramark is exploring ways to work with the Boys & Girls Club, to integrate health and wellness and workforce programs – which are the focus of Aramark Building Community – into activities at the Clubs.

“Our Refreshments team is pleased to offer a high quality, whole bean coffee program, with Reserve by javia, along with our traditional javia coffees. We’re delighted to be able to energize not only workplaces, but also a very deserving cause,” said Jim Frost, President of Aramark’s Refreshment Services division. “As North America’s leading office coffee provider, we’ve made it part of our mission and promise to give back to the local communities in which we live and work.”

Aramark’s commitment to people is a core part of the company’s sustainability plan,

Be Well. Do Well

, focused on positively impacting people and the planet. Aramark’s people priority is to facilitate access to opportunities that will improve the well-being of the Company’s employees, consumers, communities and people in its supply chain. Building on current work, Aramark continues to help people develop careers and livelihoods; access, choose and prepare healthy food; and grow communities, businesses and local economies. Aramark also offers various Fair Trade Certified™, Rainforest Alliance, Certified Organic and Shade Grown coffee brands that are committed to sustainability.

About Aramark

Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) proudly serves the world’s leading educational institutions, Fortune 500 companies, world champion sports teams, prominent healthcare providers, iconic destinations and cultural attractions, and numerous municipalities in 19 countries around the world. Our 280,000 team members deliver innovative experiences and services in food, facilities management and uniforms to millions of people every day. We strive to create a better world by making a positive impact on people and the planet, including commitments to engage our employees; empower healthy consumers; build local communities; source ethically, inclusively and responsibly; operate efficiently and reduce waste. Aramark is recognized as a Best Place to Work by the Human Rights Campaign (LGBTQ+), DiversityInc, Black Enterprise and the Disability Equality Index. Learn more at

www.aramark.com

Pennsylvania Suing Delta Auto for Consumers

HARRISBURG – Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced today that his Office has filed a civil lawsuit against extended automobile warranty company Delta Auto Protect to get money back for consumers and repair shops which fell victim to its car repair scam. Delta is operated by Omega Vehicle Services LLC and its managing member Charles Seruya.

The

lawsuit

alleges the company advertises and sells vehicle service and repair contracts to thousands of consumers in multiple states from a virtual office in Exton, PA, but refuses to honor the contracts it sells and, after accepting payment from consumers, refuses to cover the necessary repairs promised under contract.

“Many customers of Delta Auto Protect of Exton have complained to my Office, and they’re not happy,” AG Shapiro said. “From phone calls to emails and letters, consumers have let us know how unresponsive this defendant has been to them. This rude and illegal treatment of customers is unwarranted. We are listening, and we are taking action to get their money back.”

The Attorney General said he wants restitution for Delta customers who:

Paid for warranties and didn’t get the coverage they were promised,

Paid out-of-pocket costs to repair their vehicles, and

Tried to cancel their policies but didn’t receive refunds.

Shapiro said he is also seeking restitution for repair shops that didn’t get paid.

The lawsuit says Delta advertised “24/7 customer service” to entice sales, but when consumers and the repair shops called about missing payments, the company dodged them, re-routed their calls, left them endlessly “on hold.” They also failed to return messages.

In some instances, Delta placed a condition on payment that required a consumer to remove their negative reviews of the company. Multiple consumer complaints allege the company failed to pay refunds for contract cancellations.

“I’ve been calling this company almost every week for the past year and it has failed to pay for the repairs on my car,” said Carolyn Ames, a customer from Germansville, Lehigh County. “Delta is impossible to reach. If I do get through they hang up and they never return my calls. I’m so glad to know Attorney General Shapiro is standing up for consumers like me and is taking action to get my money back.”

AG Shapiro is urging any consumers who believe they were victimized by the defendants’ business practices to

submit a complaint

with the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, calling the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-441-2555 or emailing

scams@attorneygeneral.gov

This complaint has been filed in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas by Senior Deputy Attorney General Karen C. McRory-Negrin.

# # #