In 2017, 68.5 percent of applicants for Social Security disability who applied on their own were denied benefits. The process and paperwork is complicated and overwhelming for many.

Eligibility Requirements for Application

If you are able to return to work, there are incentives to aid your return. Receiving Social Security benefits isn’t necessarily lifelong. Some situations just require a boost to help get you back on your feet.

Apply as soon as it’s clear you can’t work for twelve months or longer. If you are still working, you will be denied. There is a five-month waiting period before your benefits will kick in. About 34 percent of those who apply for benefits are approved without appeal. Appeals can take years.

Listen as Mary Dale Walters joins Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss how to improve your chances to receive your Social Security disability benefits when needed.

Difficulty breathing, sweating, trembling, heart pounding, fear... sounds like you might be having a panic attack.

Panic disorder has a genetic component, but panic attacks can occur for anyone. Stress precipitates panic attacks. Someone who is already stressed is prone to panic attacks. Many people suffer quietly.

Panic attacks are short-lived and intense, lasting no more than a couple of hours. Rule out any medical causes right away. Blood work and heart observations will help rule out medical conditions that could be disguised by a panic attack.

You will not die from a panic attack. Behavioral and pharmacological treatments are available for those who experience frequent panic attacks.

Listen as Dr. Alex Dimitriu joins Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss how to handle panic attacks.

Do you put things off?

Why do you procrastinate?

Fear and anxiety get in the way. Worries about failure are prominent. Sometimes there’s a fear of achievement.

What projects are you putting off? Why are you putting them off? Looking at these aspects may get you moving more than someone telling you to just do it.

Procrastination is so common that we may need to become a little more tolerant of it. We’re all human.

You may be able to trick your procrastination by putting out your tools before distractions occur. This may help you get your workout in or your lunch made before something more interesting takes your attention.

Listen as Andrew Santella joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share how common procrastination is.

The sun is shining, and you’re ready to hit the beach. Your eyes need to be safe while you have fun in the sun.

Just as you wouldn’t forget sunscreen, be sure to grab your sunglasses before stepping outside. You want something that protects you against UVA and UVB rays. Your eye doctor can test your sunglasses. Eye sunburn can cause discomfort, blurry vision and pain.

Sunglass lenses are often made of impact-resistant plastic. This should protect your eyes from debris that might otherwise penetrate the eye.

Take care of your eyes when swimming. Contact lens wearers must consider how spongy lenses are, making them prone to holding microbes and bacteria against the eye. Avoid severe eye infections by removing contacts before swimming. Use cool, artificial tears to soothe eyes after swimming. If they continue to bother you, see your eye doctor.

If you get something in your eye, flush the eye and give it time to recover. Use clean tap water if you must. If the vision is affected or pain persists beyond one hour, head to your eye doctor.

Listen as Dr. Justin Bazan joins Melanie Cole, MS, to talk about summer eye safety.

Spring has sprung. It’s almost time to hit the beach. Maybe you’ve got some winter warming weight padding you out more than you would like when you slip into your swimsuit.

Your ideal beach body may be your shape from your twenties. You have to trace back when things changed so you can get closer to the idea. Activity levels change, as do lifestyles and eating habits. Aging can’t be helped, but other factors can.

Consider adding extra activity breaks at work. Take the stairs or walk to the mailbox.

View your eating habits to see what food is available. Focus on eating real food. Be conscious of when you eat and why you eat. Modify your environment as much as you can.

You need dedicated exercise to see changes beyond being physically active. That’s the way you change your body composition. It should include some form of resistance training, cardio or aerobic training, and flexibility. Change up your workout if it gets boring.

Most importantly, be realistic. Find a balance between what you’re happy with and what you’re willing to do. Anything you’re doing is moving you in the right direction. There will always be someone who is stronger, faster and fitter than you. Shift the focus from a number on the scale to how you feel.

Listen as Dr. Brian Parr joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share how to get your new beach body back.

Olympic athletes dedicate their lives to their sports. It’s inspiring and may leave you dreaming about becoming an Olympic contender. Can the average Joe become a medalist?

The truth is that most people have daily jobs, making training difficult. Olympians have a team of physical therapists, nutritionists and doctors to help them succeed. 

They also work to the point of overtraining. You need to rest your muscles and sleep in order to get results.

Consuming a protein shake after a workout can help build muscle. Velocital helps build lean mass during training. High quality carbs and proteins are important for your nutrition. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables.

Muscle training is important. Work with a trainer to develop a routine that works with your body’s functionality. Save advanced techniques until you are strong enough to benefit from them.

If your time is very limited, do strength training instead of cardio. Alternate upper and lower body if you only have 40 minutes four or five times a week.

Find something that fuels your passion and pursue that as your supplemental workout for your sports training.

Listen as Jim LaValle joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share how Olympians train and how you can up your fitness game.

According to the National Institutes of Health, around six and a half million people in the United States use a cane, walker or crutches to assist with their mobility.

Crutches are awful. Scooters make life a bit simpler.

But, wouldn't it be amazing if you could keep walking without putting pressure on your knee or your injured lower leg?

The iWalk Free is a prosthetic frame that wraps to the upper thigh to enable walking without a crutch or wheels. Your leg moves the same, but the injured part of the leg is protected and bears no weight. The knee isn’t a resting point so it won’t suffer pain from the device.

Listen as Brad Hunter joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share how the iWalk Free can assist your mobility with minimal intrusion to your daily tasks.

You’re headed to the movies or another outing. You need something healthy, tasty and portable.

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Here are some simple suggestions:

If you do buy snacks when you’re out, portion control is your friend. Don’t deprive yourself of amazing foods -- just eat small portions. Skip the fried foods, added condiments and butter. Drink plenty of water.

Listen as chef Jacob Bustos joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share his favorite snacks on-the-go.

Sponsor:
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If you have access to an on-site gym, do you take advantage of the facility? Do you use the cool gym at the hotel when you travel?

It’s time to get the most out of your gym access.

This is your opportunity to try something new. Equipment will be limited in comparison to a large gym.

Here are some tips to get the most out of your on-site gym.

Sample Workout

Listen as Dr. Christopher Berger joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share how to get the most out of your apartment gym.

The busy modern world makes it seem like you shouldn’t have a chance to get bored.

However, there’s no shame in allowing yourself some downtime. Letting your mind roam enables more effective problem solving, creative thinking and productivity.

It is imperative to carve out time for personal reflection.

Tips for downtime:

Listen as Dr. Alan Lightman joins Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss why we all need to learn to waste time.