"Come on, get HAPPY!"

by Janice Forostiak, Marketing Department

I love radio. Really, I do. But it seems like 4 or 5 times each hour, Pharrell's "Happy" song is on. And every morning I wake up to:

"Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do."


Instead of being annoyed, I decided to embrace the suggestion. What a great song with a positive message! Even at 5:30 in the morning. Who could argue with wanting to be happy? We all go through the highs and lows of life because, well, that's LIFE. But did you know there are ways to improve your level of happiness? Sometimes, the things you do, and the thoughts you cultivate, can lead to a better frame of mind -- or happiness.

Here are a few common-sense tips to help improve your mood or outlook on life:

1) Invest time in your family and friends. Strong ties to family and friends reduce rates of depression, suicide and stress. Better yet, it may even help you live longer!

ACTION: Schedule more time with friends and family for dinners and outings.

2) Find your purpose. Happy people have a reason to get up in the morning, and are able to fuel their passions to help their communities and their personal lives.

ACTION: What makes you happiest? When do you feel your best? What do you want your life to look like in a year . . . 5 years. . . 10 years? Go for it!

3) Get your financial house in order. This is a biggie! And here's where we could really help to get you back on track. First, you should be happy you're a credit union member to begin with :) Next, remember that the happiest people may not be rich, but they have enough money to be comfortable. (Food for thought: If being rich made you happy, there would be no reality TV.)

ACTION: Create a budget and stick to it. Come talk to us about helping you manage your debt better! We're your credit union, and we're here to help.

4) Exercise and eat right. Exercise releases endorphins, the ultimate mood booster. Eating a diet full of veggies, fruit, beans and nuts has been shown to lower blood pressure and cholosterol and reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease.

ACTION: Take a walk during your lunch break, join a gym or recreational sports team, and BUY healthier food. Stick to it!


Source: New York Times best selling author and National Geographic Fellow, Dan Buettner, is the author of The Blue Zones and Thrive. He studies happiness and longevity and created a test that measures happiness. Find out more and take the test at bluezones.com.

The Future's So Bright . . . I Gotta Wear Shades!"

by Janice Forostiak, Marketing Department

What's that in the sky?? It's the sun!! We thought we'd never see it again, but here it is! Time to break out the shades to protect your eyes. Do you choose a pair of sunglasses because they’re the latest trend? How about to match your favorite outfit? There is a more important factor to consider: your eye health!

Long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun has been linked to cataracts, retinal problems and cancer of the eyelids and skin around the eyes. UV light can also burn the eye’s surface. Sunglasses can eliminate your eyes’ exposure to almost all ultraviolet light. With so many styles available in stores, keep these tips in mind when chosing pairs for you and your family:

* Choose sunglasses with lenses that block 99 to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays. Some labels may read, “UV absorption up to 400 nanometers.” This is the same as 100% ultraviolet protection.

* Choose the right hue. Although colored, polarized and mirrored lenses may offer benefits – reducing the brightness of sun entering your eyes or reducing glare from light bouncing off water or snow – they do not necessarily protect against ultraviolet light. Always look for a label that states the ultraviolet protection level.

* Opt for larger lenses or wraparound styles, protecting your entire eye area and helping to keep light from shining in around the frames.

* Use UV blocking contact lenses or wear sunglasses in addition to your contacts.

* Pick a style and size that fit your face shields your eyes all around the frames. If they slide down your nose, sunlight will shine in through the top and sides.

* Choose a darker lens if you work or play in very bright conditions.

* Spend wisely: Expensive sunglasses do not necessarily mean you’re getting high-quality lenses or UV blockage. Check the quality of a lens by looking at a rectangular pattern,like a tile floor. Cover one eye and hold the glasses away from your face. Move them up and down and side to side. If the straight lines bend and warp, especially in the middle, pick a different pair.

* Don’t forget a wide-brimmed hat! The right headgear can significantly reduce UV radiation of the eyes.

So, enjoy the warm weather, sunlight and all. Just be sure to don your shades before venturing out!

For more information about this topic and eye health, go to www.webmd.com.