10 Ways to Avoid Overeating During the Holidays
For the rest of the month, everyone will be eating one meal after another, going to work parties, get-togethers and holiday dinner
Merry Christmas
The annual celebration of Christmas, is a derivative of the Old English Crīstesmæsse which means Christ’s Mass is a widely observed holiday,
Christmas Eve
The history of Christmas Eve, hearkening back to 16th century when Christian traditions were first influenced by winter solstice celebrations
10 Ways to Stay Active During the Holidays
The holiday season is here and so is the jam-packed schedule, endless events, and stress that comes with this joyous time of year
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield Refund Checks
We have been receiving lots of phone calls from our clients about receiving a check from Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey.
7 Signs That You’re Iron Deficient
Iron is a mineral that plays a vital role in health and well-being. Without it, many bodily functions would malfunction. The role of iron is to carry oxygen in the blood to every cell in the body.
National Sangria Day
Sangria is an alcoholic punch made with red or white wine with chopped fruits for flavor. The drink comes from Spain and Portugal, it’s typically is a summertime beverage
National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day
National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day has grown to be an international event. Now occurring on the third Friday of December, the celebration gives holiday lovers worldwide a chance to wear their ugly Christmas sweaters.
10 Ways to Survive the Holidays
The holiday season can bring mixed emotions for many. For some people, it’s their favorite time of year. For others, it brings feelings of sadness and loss.
5 Ways Giving is Good for Your Health
You don’t have to shop to reap the benefits of giving. Research suggests the same benefits come from donating to charities or volunteering your time, like at a soup kitchen or a homeless shelter. Here are some of the ways that giving is good for you and your community.
1. Giving makes us feel happy. A 2008 study by Harvard Business School professor Michael Norton found that giving to someone else lifted participants’ happiness more that spending it on themselves. These good feelings are reflected in our biology. In a 2006 study, Jorge Moll and colleagues at the National Institutes of Health found that when people give to charities, it activates regions of the brain associated with pleasure, social connection, and trust, creating a “warm glow” effect. Scientists also believe that altruistic behavior releases endorphins in the brain, producing the positive feeling known as the “helper’s high.”
2. Giving is good for our health. A wide range of research has linked different forms of generosity to better health, even among the sick and elderly. In his book Why Good Things Happen to Good People, Stephen Post, a professor of preventative medicine at Stony Brook University, reports that giving to others has been shown to increase health benefits in people with chronic illness, including HIV and multiple sclerosis. Researchers suggest that one reason giving may improve physical health and longevity is that it helps decrease stress, which is associated with a variety of health problems. In a 2006 study by Rachel Piferi of Johns Hopkins University and Kathleen Lawler of the University of Tennessee, people who provided social support to others had lower blood pressure than participants who didn’t, suggesting a direct physiological benefit to those who give of themselves.
3. Giving promotes cooperation and social connection. When you give, you’re more likely to get back: Several studies, have suggested that when you give to others, your generosity is likely to be rewarded by others down the line—sometimes by the person you gave to, sometimes by someone else. These exchanges promote a sense of trust and cooperation that strengthens our ties to others—and research has shown that having positive social interactions is central to good mental and physical health.
4. Giving evokes gratitude. Whether you’re on the giving or receiving end of a gift, that gift can elicit feelings of gratitude—it can be a way of expressing gratitude or instilling gratitude in the recipient. And research has found that gratitude is integral to happiness, health, and social bonds.
5. Giving is contagious. When we give, we don’t only help the immediate recipient of our gift. We also spur a ripple effect of generosity through our community. So whether you buy gifts, volunteer your time, or donate money to charity this holiday season, your giving is much more than just a year-end chore. It may help you build stronger social connections and even jumpstart a cascade of generosity through your community. And don’t be surprised if you find yourself benefiting from a big dose of happiness in the process.
Cosmo Insurance Agency is an independent insurance agency serving surrounding communities in New Jersey. Cosmo keeps its promise to assure an efficient and creative approach to the services we offer. Each of our clients experience a personalized and long-term relationship with us. Our New Jersey based team of health brokers guides our clients in helping them choose the most cost-effective options. By incorporating the latest in technology-based tools and laws on healthcare, employee benefits, life insurance and finance, we keep our clients up-to-date with the plans that encompass all of their needs, whether it is individual or group insurance.
