Blog

The past 16 months have been tumultuous. During times of unease, change, and uncertainty, it’s essential to prioritize your mental health. AFSPA stands by the statement that mental wellness leads to better physical health. We’ve asked some staff members to share their personal ex.....

Physical activity is essential to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This summer, AFSPA encourages you to be active by working out. We understand that everyone is at different fitness levels so below we have outlined flexible workouts you can do at home. Feel free to get some free weights to a.....

For many of us, summer is a time to lay back and relax. Summer is about the pool or the beach, picnics in the park, being carefree and having fun. However, when packing lunches for a day on the water or filling up your picnic basket, it’s importa.....

We are officially in the midst of summer! As you pack your beach bags, get your children ready for camp, and take time to soak up some Vitamin D, it’s important to remember to take steps to help protect yourself from the sun. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a form of.....

Long term care (LTC) and Long term disability (LTD) insurances are all about protecting yourself and your loved ones against worst-case scenarios. Is it time to start thinking about LTC or LTD insurance? What’s the difference between these two? While LTD and LTC may seem similar, they .....

It’s not luck….it’s preparation A line often quoted from the movie Titanic states that “a real man makes his own luck.” Well, be it man or woman, we all know that while we can’t possibly anticip.....

Most of us are familiar with head pain. Some is worse than others, but we’ve all had headaches. June is National Migraine & Headache Awareness Month. This month, AFSPA wants to raise awareness about .....

It’s June, which means it’s Men’s Health Month. This month, AFSPA wants to help men prioritize their health. Part of that is knowing its top threats. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (.....

Take a moment and close your eyes. Imagine a normal person. How do they look? What do they like? Who do they like? More likely than not, you pictured a heterosexual, or straight, person. That’s what we’re tra.....

It’s been a long year. We’ve been stuck inside, discouraged from traveling, and staring at the same scenery for, frankly, too long. Now that people are getting vaccinated, it’s time to start exploring again, to begin adventuring, to reach new places.....

We all know that sleep is important because it’s essential for our bodies to function. However, what’s less commonly considered is that your daily routines – what you eat and drink, the medications you take, how you schedule your days, and how you choose to spend your eveni.....

Acting quickly is essential during a stroke because it can lessen the amount of associated brain damage[1]. Therefore, knowing the signs and symptoms of stroke is crucial. Signs of Stroke in Men and Women[1] .....

Many of us experience mental health struggles such as depression, anxiety, suicide ideation, and more at some point in our lives. But as with many things, women may experience these differently. This can be caused by bi.....

Over the past year, going to the doctor or receiving in-person care have become a risk to your health. In order to stay safe, telehealth and telemedicine have been utilized as a more comfortable option. While this technology is not ne.....

We’ve all been there! Work is asking for too much at once, your family needs you, and you are stretching yourself too thin. You’re stressed. For some of us, this happens more often than for others. We all react differently to stress, and th.....

April is Alcohol Awareness Month, a time to increase understanding about the dangers of alcohol-related issues and alcoholism. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that adults of legal drinking age choos.....

From work life to home life, you deal with stress from a multitude of sources on a daily basis. Even more so now, amid the pandemic, stress is everywhere. And when your home life and work life collide, there’s no avoiding certain stressors. But there are w.....

In this world of fast food, sedentary lifestyles, and growing rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes is more prevalent than ever. In 2018, 34.2 million Americans, or 10.5% of the population, had diabetes. Of those, 26.8 million were diagnosed, and 7.3 million were undiagn.....

Why is Protein Important and How Much Do I Need? Are you getting enough protein in your diet? It’s common to watch your calories, sugar and salt intake, but it is equally as important to make sure you are eating enough protein. Protein is an essential nutrient to make the b.....

National Poison Prevention Week is observed annually during the third week of March. It highlights the dangers of being poisoned by household products and how to prevent them. Children and pets are those most .....

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), among cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. About 1 .....

Happy Nutrition Month! This March, AFSPA encourages you to focus on your nutrition. Part of focusing on your nutrition includes making your plate, at meals, diverse and filled with the nutrients you need. According to the 2020-2025 Dietary Gu.....

There are two types of cholesterol, often referred to as “good” and “bad” cholesterol. Good cholesterol is high-density lipoprotein (HDL)[1] that, when at a healthy level, may protect against heart attack and stroke.[1] Bad cholesterol .....

By John Ermer, CPA; Beers, Hamerman, Cohen & Burger, PC For many reasons, 2020 and 2021 have had constant changes in tax laws and how to interact with the IRS and state tax agencies. Here are some tips for both that a.....

The new year came with new benefits! As of January 1, 2021, AFSPA’s Group Enhanced Life (GEL) insurance issued by the Prudential Insurance Company of America has been enhanced with a new Life Events benefit. Members who are not yet at the $200,000 Guar.....

Having good oral health is important for maintaining a healthy body and smile. Many people do not realize the connection between oral health and your overall health. Our mouths are full of mostly harmless bacteria; however, it also is the entry point to our digestive and respiratory tracts w.....

Getting through a cold and dreary winter is hard enough on its own. When there’s a pandemic happening on top of the bad weather, it makes things even more difficult. As you battle the winter and social distancing, try to take some time to focus on your mental wellness. After all, M.....

February is American Heart Month, a time to focus on your cardiovascular health by doing things like eating healthy, staying active, and annual medical checkups. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly half of U.S. adults have high blood.....

January 24-30 is Healthy Weight Week, a time to celebrate lifelong healthy, diet-free habits that prevent eating and weight problems. In this month’s CEO message, AFSPA CEO Paula Jak.....

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Happy New Year from us here at AFSPA! .....