2025 April – Lifestyle Benefits

Advantages and Disadvantages of Young Adults (Under 26) Staying on Their Parents’ Health Insurance

Kaylon Walton 2025 April, Benefit Spotlight March 7, 2025

Asian senior father and his adult son using laptop computer while sitting at home

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), young adults below the age of 26 are eligible to receive healthcare coverage under their parent’s medical plan.

Dependents are allowed to stay on even if they are married, in college, have kids, are not financially dependent on their parents, and are eligible to enroll in their employer’s plan.

The Pros of Staying on Your Parent’s Plan

Parents who have children over the age of 18 but under the age of 26 might want to consider keeping their child under their healthcare coverage. This could save your adult child hundreds or even thousands of dollars in medical expenses. Most young adults are not familiar in knowing which healthcare option is best for them and usually opt for the costly one. Some post-grad jobs don’t offer healthcare coverage or one that is suitable. Colleges can offer some that are also too pricey.

The Cons of Not Having Your Own Health Coverage

Some health insurance plans may charge high premiums when adding additional dependents. It’s best to compare healthcare coverages offered by your child’s job or college versus your company to see which offers the best coverage at a lower cost. You may want to consider different factors such as any chronic medical condition that your dependent may have as this could mean higher monthly premiums. Some health plan coverages charge for additional dependents added. Having more than one child on your health plan can increase premiums. Also, if your health insurance plan consists mainly of out-of-network doctors, this could also raise the cost of your insurance and out-of-pocket expenses.

Young woman discussing over smart phone with parents while sitting on kitchen island at home

Choose What’s Best

If you are considering whether keeping your child above the age of 18 on your health insurance is the best option, here are some key points you must keep in mind before enrolling.

Health insurance premiums can increase when adding dependents.
Compare the coverages of your family health plan and the one offered by your child’s employer.
Dependents with chronic medical issues can increase monthly premiums.
Healthy dependents help lower monthly premiums and increase higher deductibles which may allow you to be eligible for a Health Savings Account.

Having your dependent on your health plan can save them a lot of money in the long run. It’s best to look at different plans to see which works best for you and your dependent(s). If monthly premiums are too high with dependents but still seem like the better option, you can always have your child pitch in to cover costs if they are working full time.

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), young adults below the age of 26 are eligible to receive healthcare coverage under their parent’s medical plan.

Healthy dependents help lower monthly premiums and increase higher deductibles which may allow you to be eligible for a Health Savings Account.

Source:

https://www.cnbc.com/select/staying-on-parents-health-insurance-plan-under-age-26/

https://www.healthcare.gov/young-adults/children-under-26/

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa/about-ebsa/our-activities/resource-center/faqs/young-adult-and-aca

https://www.healthinsurance.org/faqs/under-the-aca-can-young-adults-still-remain-on-their-parents-health-plans-until-age-26/

Managing Chronic Pain Is at Your Fingertips

Kaylon Walton 2025 April, Lifestyle and Wellness March 7, 2025

Unhappy mature man feeling bad, suffering from backache, hold his back and can't stand up from sofa. Middle aged male with discomfort and kidney disease sitting alone on couch at home

Chronic pain is pain that can come from any part(s) of the body that lasts for more than three months.

The pain doesn’t have to be consistent; some come and go. There are innumerable causes of pain and sometime can be hard to detect. However, there are many healthcare and lifestyle options available that can improve or make chronic pain more manageable.

Types of Chronic Pain

According to Cleveland Clinic, the most common types of chronic pain recorded are joint pain, back pain, cancer, irritable bowel disease, ulcers, endometriosis, headaches, neck, and nerve pain. The feeling associated with these pains varies from each person as pain is often subjective. If left untreated, the pain can cause other symptoms such as stress, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and irritability. Some may find that it can also affect their finances and relationships.

A young girl is sitting on the couch at home with her head in her hands.

Healthcare Treatments

Any form of chronic pain should be reported to a doctor. However, everyone’s chronic pain is different, and finding the best treatment plan may take time. Here are some treatment options healthcare professionals may recommend helping deal with specific chronic pain:

Medications

NSAIDs – Examples of these include Naproxen sodium, Ibuprofen, Aspirin, and others. These assist in reducing inflammation and fever. Healthcare providers suggest using NSAIDs to treat certain pains such as arthritis, back pain, toothaches, and menstrual cramps. There are many types and can come in the form of prescription or non-prescription.

Acetaminophen – Examples of prescription and non-prescription brands include Tylenol, NyQuil, Endocet, and others. This is used to relieve mild to moderate pain by cooling the body. Treatment is usually recommended to manage certain pains such as back and muscle aches, fever, and toothaches.

Opioids – Examples of common prescription brands include Morphine, Hydrocodone, Methadone, and others. Opioids are usually prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain. Common pain types that healthcare professionals would recommend when using opioids include post-surgical pain, cancer-related pain, and irritable bowel syndrome. However, because of its high addiction potential, it is usually prescribed less often, in low doses, and for a short period.

Physical Therapy evaluating patient hand

Therapy Treatments

Physical Therapy – Physical therapists are a great option for treating areas of weakness or stiffness that are causing pain. The reason a doctor may recommend physical therapy is to help the body become stronger and for the patient to feel better. Physical therapy treatments may offer exercise routines, heat and ice packs, and massages.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) involves treating psychological responses to pain such as negative thoughts and behaviors. The goal is to help individuals change their perspective about their pain, which may eventually lead to better coping mechanisms. Pain can cause stress, and stress can reduce the pain control chemicals, making the feeling a lot worse.

Other Forms of Treatment

Exercise – Exercise is a common form of treatment for chronic pain. Some chronic pain, such as back and arm pain, are caused by inactivity which leads to stiff muscles and less strength. Not only is exercise good for physical pain but also helps ease mental stress and disorders. Incorporating a variety of exercises like aerobic, anaerobic, and HIIT workouts will help strengthen the body to fight chronic pain.

Diet – Having a balanced healthy diet that consist of whole foods and antioxidants can help decrease inflammation and promote healing. Ultra-processed foods and seed oils found in many restaurants and groceries stores increases inflammation, obesity, diabetes, cancer, and many more health issues. Foods that are rich in antioxidants and other nutrients can assist in fighting or increasing vitamins that some might be deficient in. Doctors may recommend consulting to a dietician to create goals and food plans that can help manage chronic pain.

There are many options of treatment when dealing with chronic pain. The best approach is speaking with a doctor to help identify the source and receiving additional resources they may propose to help manage the pain.

According to Cleveland Clinic, the most common types of chronic pain recorded are joint pain, back pain, cancer, irritable bowel disease, ulcers, endometriosis, headaches, neck, and nerve pain.

Almost 21% of the U.S. population — 51.6 million adults — lives with chronic pain.

Source:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4798-chronic-pain

https://www.mayoclinic.org/chronic-pain-medication-decisions/art-20360371

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/11086-non-steroidal-anti-inflammatory-medicines-nsaids

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/21127-opioids

https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/features/cognitive-behavioral

https://www.healthline.com/health/exercises-to-reduce-chronic-pain

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7551034/

Why You May Need to Take a Break From Work

Kaylon Walton 2025 April, Lifestyle and Wellness March 7, 2025

Doctor, stress and woman with depression, burnout and overworked in hospital, deadline and tired. Healthcare, medical professional and nurse crying for mistake, depressed and fatigue with anxiety

Deciding whether to take a vacation, staycation, or playcation?

It may be time for you to take a break from your job, routine, or demands of life. The feeling of being overworked is one that many ignore until they experience the symptoms of burnout. Once burnout occurs, its symptoms will begin to appear in your work.

What Is Burnout?

Burnout is the state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that causes a decrease in motivation, performance, and negative attitudes about others and self. The causes of burnout come from being too busy, not taking enough breaks (or any), and having an out of sync work-life balance.

Signs of Burnout

If you’re feeling mentally and emotionally drained, then you’re more likely experiencing exhaustion from your daily routines of life. Exhaustion often leads to having a lack of interest in your work or having negative thoughts about it. Some of the worst feelings that can happen are depression. If your symptoms of depression occur once you think about work, it may be caused by burnout. Becoming irritable and stressed out with coworkers or clients can also be linked to burnout. This could impact your relationship with others, or worse, cause you to lose out on amazing opportunities.

Physical symptoms that come from burnout include but are not limited to high blood pressure, headaches, overeating, using drugs, and lack of sleep. The easiest way to spot whether the physical symptom you’re having comes from burnout is by ceasing your work for a period to see whether your condition improves. There are times when symptoms may not immediately go away and would require the attention of a doctor or clinical therapist who can determine whether symptoms are linked to burnout.

Exhausted young man rubbing eyes in cafe with laptop.

How to Know if You’re Experiencing Burnout?

If you are curious and would like to know if the symptoms you are experiencing comes from being overworked in your daily life, here are a few questions you can answer for a quick self-assessment. Please note that this self-assessment is not to diagnose or confirm whether you are experiencing burnout. If symptoms affect your work, please consult a healthcare professional.

Do you drag yourself to work and have difficulties starting it?
Do you sense a lack of energy to do your job well?
Are you experiencing impatience with those you work with?
Do you find it hard to focus on your job?
Do your accomplishments at work give you little satisfaction?
Are you consuming food, alcohol, or any form of drug to give you contentment during your work shift?
Has your sleep routine changed?
Do you have physical issues such as migraines and digestive issues with no known cause?

Ways to Avoid or Decrease Burnout

If you are experiencing a burnout, it’s time to lessen its effect, or if you have not yet experienced a burnout, here are some ways you can avoid it altogether.

Taking Time Off – Going on a vacation or take a couple days of PTO to have a self-care day are great options to cope or avoid burnout.
Exercise Often – Adopting an exercise routine can help reduce stress and take your mind off work.
Seek Support – Talking to others about how you feel opens the door for care and comfort. Speak with coworkers, friends, or family members about your problems. Check if your job offers employee assistance or mental health programs.
Relaxing Hobby – After a long day of work, coming home to a relaxing hobby such as painting or cooking can ease the tension created by the workday.

To work efficiently at work, you must protect your health. Sometimes that means moving away from work for a brief period so that you can recharge your mind and body. Look for more ways you can mitigate or avoid burnout.

Physical symptoms that come from burnouts include but are not limited to high blood pressure, headaches, overeating, using drugs, and lack of sleep.

Check if your job offers employee assistance or mental health programs.

Source:

https://www.verywellmind.com/why-you-should-take-a-break-3144576

https://www.webmd.com/balance/ss/slideshow-signs-burnout

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/burnout/art-20046642

Key Factors to Weigh Before Donating Your Kidney

Kaylon Walton 2025 April, Lifestyle and Wellness March 7, 2025

Organ donation involves surgically removing any organ from an individual, whether alive or deceased, to give as a donor to someone who critically needs it.

The most common type of organ transplant while living is the kidney. Many who opt to be a kidney donor typically do so for someone in their inner circle such as family or friends. Some may decide that they rather donate through an exchange program for any stranger who may need it. Whatever you decide your reasoning for donating your kidney, there are key factors you should consider before signing up.

Can Anyone Donate Their Kidney?

To become a kidney donor, you must be healthy as examined and determined by your doctor, be 18 years of age or older, and have two healthy kidneys. If you qualify based on the physical requirements, the next process may involve speaking with the donor evaluation team. The team consists of social workers, dieticians, surgeons, coordinators, and advocates.

Hands hold model of human kidney at white body

Social workers will evaluate your mental, emotional, and financial health. They may also check to see if you have community support from friends and family before and after the surgery to help with the difficulties that comes with the process.
Dietician will check to make sure you have a healthy eating plan and are physically active regularly for your overall well-being.
Surgeons will be the ones who conduct your surgery after receiving approval from your doctor.
Coordinators and advocates provide the steps needed to have a successful transplant journey and check to see if your decision to do so was voluntary.

Female doctor talking while explaining medical treatment with digital tablet to patient in the consultation.

The Need for Donors

According to Donate Life America, there are approximately 90,000 people in the United States waiting for kidney donation. Those who need a kidney are suffering from end-stage renal disease (ESRD), which is a terminal condition of kidneys that can no longer function. The kidney’s job is to filter out waste from the body, but those who have ESRD cannot filter out the waste and will need dialysis if they cannot obtain a transplant. Dialysis is a complex treatment that consists of using a machine that filters the blood for up to 5 hours, and patients must come to the hospital 3 times a week for treatment. Side effects such as muscle cramps, headaches, low blood pressure, and vomiting are common.

When compared to dialysis, the benefits of a kidney transplant outweigh the cost. Some of those benefits include:

Financial stability due to lower treatment cost
Fewer dietary restrictions
Longer life expectancy
Few to no hospital visits
Overall better quality of life

Benefits and Risks for Donors

There are several benefits and risks to consider before deciding to donate your kidney. Here are benefits and risks to consider if donating.

Benefits:

Satisfaction felt knowing you helped a loved one or someone in need.
You can live a normal life with one kidney without complications.
If transplant fails or complications happen after surgery, donors are first to receive a kidney.

Risks:

Some donors experience regret and mental health decline.
Complications from surgery can include but are not limited to blood clots, bacterial infections, scarring, and nerve damage.
Living with one kidney can also increase high blood pressure, high levels of protein in urine, and lower the filtering of your kidneys.

Kidney donors have saved the lives of thousands throughout the years. However, the choice of being a donor is not for everyone. It’s best to speak with family, friends, counselors, and mentors to ensure you have support in making the best decision.

Kidney transplants have a 95% successful rate.

According to Donate Life America, there are approximately 90,000 people in the U.S. waiting for kidney donation.