Christi Doe, M.Ed., CPDM, Senior Consultant, Member Relations, Council for Disability Income Awareness With decades of experience in the insurance industry and as someone who has experienced a difficult period of isolation, I’m increasingly interested in the relationship between loneliness and health-related disabilities. Today, America is in the middle of a loneliness epidemic that…
Can Your Smartwatch Make You Sick? Lately, I’ve started wondering if I should get a smartwatch. Friends of mine routinely take calls or texts on their Apple® or Google® watches. Others track their steps or monitor their hearts. Paying for a coffee with a smartwatch looks so easy. And yes, some designs look terrific.…
By Nigel Robert Editor’s Note: The prevalence of mental health conditions (most commonly anxiety and depression) accelerated during the COVID pandemic and has been on the rise in many places. Some people may find that letting a reptile into their life can help combat some of the effects of their condition – and this…
The Future of Work through Three Lenses: Climate Change, Artificial Intelligence & Disease by Margaret O’Neill, SmithGroup Part III: Another Pandemic? This paper, focused on the threat of another global pandemic, is the third in a 3-part series that considers the potential headwinds and tailwinds affecting work as we know it in America. This paper will…
In my lifetime, I can’t recall a time when there have been so many open conversations about concerns about mental health. While I certainly feel it’s positive and very necessary to talk openly about this topic, I also think it’s important to understand why there is such a marked increase in mental health challenges today…
At 26 years old and newly married, I was excited when the two pink lines on a pregnancy test indicated that I was expecting. From the start, I did all of the “right” things. I confirmed a viable pregnancy with my OB, waited until it felt “safe” to tell friends and family, scheduled all of…
Raising chickens has almost an infinite number of benefits. These benefits range from simple companionship to self-sufficient food production. Raising and keeping chickens even has several health benefits that can positively impact those with mental or physical disabilities. In fact, several universities such as the University of Minnesota are utilizing therapy chickens during exam…
Winter is still in full-swing, which has many people excited to either hit the slopes or hunker down for the next few months. While the dead of winter is a great time for reflection, it can also lead to burnout for even the most productive employees. Between the cold weather, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and short…
Disability is hardly ever predictable. Accidents happen, and conditions can arise or worsen at any time. The professional world doesn’t stop spinning, waiting for people with disabilities to adapt to a new lifestyle. However, it’s certainly possible for employers to support potential and current employees when navigating disabilities. Employers can close the disability inclusion…
There are so many health benefits that come alongside having a dog as a companion. Whether it’s the popular Poodle, or the less well known Silver Labrador, all dogs provide benefits such as encouraging more exercise and therefore having better heart health. They can even help people with mental health problems, and bring many benefits…
