THE 5-SECOND RULEWILL MAKEYOU SICK
3 Health Myths You Probably Believe
We live in the golden age of information. The answers to many of life’s questions are just an internet search away. Despite this readily available wisdom, we still have a bad habit of believing health-related myths. Here are three popular health “facts” that are total works of fiction. THE 5-SECOND RULE KEEPS FOOD SAFE Obviously germs and bacteria don’t really wait five seconds to pounce, but snatching your chip off the floor fast keeps most of the germs away, right? Not according to a 2006 study published by Dr. Paul Dawson. He found conclusive evidence that when food comes into contact with a contaminated surface, bacteria are transferred immediately. Even one second spent on tile, wood, or carpet is enough to infest your food with salmonella or another serious contaminant. BOTTLEDWATER IS SAFER THANTAP WATER People seeking out safer water alternatives increases the sales of bottled “spring water” each year. However, bottled water is more expensive, bad for the environment, and, as Dr. Morton Tavel of the Indiana University School of Medicine pointed out, over 50 percent of bottled water is just filtered tap water. The same effect can be achieved with a home filtration system. Of course, if the tap water in your area has been contaminated, bottled water is a safer alternative. However, in most circumstances, bottled water is no healthier than tap water.
CRACKINGYOUR KNUCKLES CAUSES ARTHRITIS
The connection between knuckle-cracking and arthritis came from studies where participants self-reported their habits. Modern medical research has shown these results to be false. The official stance from the John Hopkins Arthritis Center states, “There is no evidence that cracking knuckles causes any damage such as arthritis in the joints.” Still, chronic knuckle-cracking can lead to reduced grip strength, so you might want to break the habit anyway. You’ve probably heard these myths for years, but just because something is common knowledge doesn’t mean it is true. With information so easily available, always take the time to research the facts, especially when it comes to your health.
THE STAR PLAYER ON YOUR ESTATE PLANNING TEAM
HAVE CLEAR GOALS
A typical estate planning team has an attorney, a financial professional, and an insurance professional who use their expertise to build the best plan possible. But none of these experts can accomplish this without the help of the most important member of the team: you. Here’s how you can set up your estate plan for success. DETAILS, DETAILS, DETAILS Some people can be discouraged by the probing questionnaire that kicks off the estate planning process, and that’s understandable. Most of us aren’t used to sharing information about our family and finances. But family and finances are your plan . While it may feel awkward or cumbersome, delving into the specifics of your assets as well as the ages, relationships, and special needs of your relatives will help everyone else on your estate planning team find the best possible avenues toward your goals.
At the end of the day, estate planning experts are simply guides. The only way we can show you an effective route is if you have a destination in mind. The more vague your estate planning goals are, the more general a professional’s advice and strategy is going to be. By taking the time to define clear objectives for your estate, your team will be able to tailor a nuanced plan to match. PROVIDE UPDATES No estate plan is final — assets and families change, after all. As you move through life, it’s vital that your plan moves with you. Keep your team up-to-date on changes to your family or asset composition. In turn, these experts will keep you informed of any legislative shifts that affect your plan. By keeping everyone on the same page, you can ensure your objectives are met.
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