Sheppard Law Firm - June 2022

No Caffeine Needed How to Beat Your Afternoon Slump

We all know the feeling: Sometime after lunch, you become sluggish, spacy, and unproductive. Many of us instinctively turn to caffeine to power

Consume healthy foods and lots of water. Maybe you don’t have complete control of your schedule. That’s where a healthy snack comes in. We tend to crash in the afternoon when our blood sugar drops, usually due to consuming carbohydrates. Eating vegetables, fruit, and protein or fiber-rich foods will help pick up your energy without incurring a future dip. While you’re snacking, drink some water. A 2018 study out of Yale found that even mild dehydration can negatively affect our brains’ ability to function, so don’t let your water bottle sit untouched. Get up and move. You’re not going to get over that slump by sitting in your chair. If you want to beat back fatigue, go for a walk, climb some stairs, stretch, or do some jumping jacks. Researchers have proven that exercise wakes up both your body and your mind. In fact, science says it will do a better job of rousing you than caffeine will. Best of all, it will help, not hurt, your ability to sleep at night. Finally, set yourself up for success by going to bed at a reasonable hour and getting your necessary 7–9 hours of sleep. Our attention ebbs and flows naturally, so none of us can be our best 100% of the time. But along with these other tips, staying well-rested can help you pick up the pace.

through the rest of the day, but that can cause another

crash, not to mention sleep problems. But don’t worry — you aren’t doomed to an aimless afternoon. We’ve compiled expert tips to perk up and carry on with your busy day. Plan your work. All of our bodies have internal rhythms, and by now, you probably know yours. Typically, people peak mid-morning or in the late afternoon. But whenever your productive heights are, plan around them. Complete the detailed, creative, or difficult work during the times when your energy is at its best, and save your “busy work” or repetitive tasks for the lulls when you feel less motivated. You’ll feel better and get more done.

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How Charitable Giving Can Benefit Your Estate Plan

Charitable giving can be personally fulfilling for most people. There may be a cause or even several causes that feel so close to home that you want to continue financially supporting their efforts. Whether it be a school you or a loved one attended or a cause you just have a passion for, charitable giving in your estate plan can provide many benefits of giving back to something you believe in. Options for Charitable Giving Depending on the size of your estate and types of assets you have, you have a variety of options for donating. These can range from naming charities on retirement or life insurance accounts to providing specific or general bequests in a will or trust. It can be an important estate planning tool to minimize income or estate taxes. Bequests in Your Will or Trust A simple and direct option is leaving a bequest in your will or revocable trust. It is a sentence that specifies the charity and amount you would like to leave. It identifies the charity and the amount and states for what purposes the funds should go toward. Be sure to have the correct, legal name of the charity because some do have similar names.

Retirement or Life Insurance Accounts Retirement and life insurance accounts can be the highest taxed asset in any estate. The benefits from this option are the increased impact of your bequest, and the charity wouldn’t need to pay income taxes on your donation. When done properly,

charitable donations of retirement or insurance assets can minimize taxes that would otherwise cause a significant financial burden. Before you choose a way to give, it is important to understand the tax implications of your decisions. This can be a deciding factor in choosing what option fits best for whichever charity you choose. Check out SBSHLaw.com or call Sheppard Law Firm if you have any questions about your options for estate planning.

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