Ways to Finance and Cut Down on Your Health Budget

The crisis, as well as the continuous decline of households’ purchasing power, makes it more and more difficult for some people to subscribe to health insurance. As a result, health costs can quickly become problematic for some households, which do not have a mutual or are poorly reimbursed.

A major health problem or an accident can occur at any point in a person's life, and most often unexpectedly.

While we thought we would subscribe to health insurance later when we could afford it, that it could wait a few more years, now the doctor announces a serious health problem, requiring particularly expensive care, or that one is a victim of a road accident for example.

Similarly, even with a mutual, many health costs remain particularly poorly reimbursed. And when the end of the month is already difficult, we wonder how we will be able to heal?

Indeed, in case of hospitalization, and without mutual insurance, the bill can very quickly climb. So what solution remains when such a situation arises?

Finance Health Cost with a Personal Loan

Given the current economic circumstances, more and more people are left destitute when a serious health problem arrives. Borrowing for treatment has now become the daily life of many people, who sometimes even for lack of resources, are forced to give up treatment.

However, when there is no longer any solution available to you when such a situation arises, you still have the option of taking out a personal loan in order to pay the various expenses inherent to your health problems.

As with any personal credit without quick proof, it is important to compare credit rates online to choose the cheapest credit offering the best rate. You can also get a short term loan for short term online. Also, be sure to determine the monthly amount that you are financially able to repay, or you risk falling into the spiral of over-indebtedness.

A loan at reasonable rates will allow you to heal, while not tying up your monthly budget too.

You can cut down you budget through these simple ways

Plan Urgent and Emergency Care in Advance

When a disease or injury occurs, it is necessary to decide how serious it is and how soon to seek medical attention. This will help you decide whether to call your provider, go to an urgent care clinic, or seek emergency care.

Choose the Right Health Plan for You

People often get mightily confused when they are choosing a health plan. Many believe that since they are reasonably healthy at the moment, taking on a health plan with lots of coverage is a waste of money. But honestly, it is not. Do not forget that health policies cover accidents as well and you never know when one of those happens. Consider the number of members your family has and then consider their age. Choose a plan based on the requirements of the oldest member of your family as he or she is more likely to be hospitalized in the near future. Don’t avoid taking a critical illness cover, this might seem like a useless expenditure, but this might actually save you from financial ruin in the future.

Author Name: Darshan Shah

Author Bio:

Darshan Shah is a young serial entrepreneur, digital marketer and blogger. He's founder of TheWebReach.com and providing Digital Marketing services like SEO, Guest Bloggiing and many more. He's enthusiastic about creating blogs and writes creative content for the readers. He loves to help people to grow their business worldwide through his digital marketing knowledge.

A Brief History of Smoking and Why More People Have Turned to Vaping

Smoking, in one form or another, is an activity that humans have enjoyed for thousands of years. In fact, smoking appears to date back to over 7000 years ago, when shamans used it during religious rituals to obtain an altered state of consciousness. Over time, people have been rather creative in the types of substances they have elected to smoke, the method of smoking, and the devices they use to smoke.

When most of us think of smoking, we think of tobacco cigarettes which were popularized by Europeans in the 16th century. As technology developed at the time to improve farming techniques and manufacturing, so did the availability of tobacco. As more and more people began to smoke, it became an accepted part of society. Most people had ashtrays in their homes as did most stores and public places. Smoking was a common activity in restaurants, while driving, at work, and at home. In addition, tobacco cigarette smoking was popularized in the movies and through advertisements with tough rugged male characters and beautiful supermodels.

The public tide against tobacco smoking began to turn in the 1960s, when evidence surfaced that the chemicals inside of tobacco could cause cancer and numerous other health problems when smoked. Health warning were issued on all tobacco cigarettes in 1965 and over time, tobacco smoking became increasingly stigmatized in society such that most restaurants and public places completely banned any form of tobacco smoking.

All of this left people searching for a healthier alternative to tobacco smoking. With increasing advances in technology, enter the world of electronic cigarettes and vaping devices, which were invented in 2003. Also known as e-cigarettes, these devices allow one to simulate the feeling of smoking tobacco without actually consuming harmful tobacco products. The electronic aspect of the cigarette heats an internal liquid (known as e-liquid or e-juice) which creates a vapor that the user inhales (hence the name “vaping.”) The vapor can also be exhaled with creates a cool-looking effect that helps make e-cigarettes appealing.

The liquid inside of e-cigarettes often contains nicotine, but not always. Numerous flavors are available such as cherry cola and a wide variety of fruity flavors which is obviously much preferable to the stench of tobacco smoke. To date, no serious harmful side effects of vaping with e-cigarettes have been reported.

Endometriosis and Infertility

Most people assume that when they are ready they will fall pregnant and have a healthy little baby.

Unfortunately this is not always the case. Most people will get pregnant within 6 months of trying. If this is not happening for you then it’s time to see a specialist and have yourself tested. You can read more about what’s involved in this.

Natural infertility is not the only thing that can cause an issue when you try to conceive. In fact Endometriosis can seriously affect your ability to conceive.

What Is Endometriosis?

Research shows that 10% of women have endometriosis. That’s approximately 176 million women across the world. The name of this condition is actually connected to the lining that is produced in your womb every month; the endometrium.

This lining is usually shed and then expelled from your body as part of your usual menstrual cycle.

However, there are times when it can travel in the wrong direction and move out of the fallopian tube and into you abdomen.

Because it is used to sticking to things this tissue can easily coat other organs and stick to them.

Unfortunately the tissues is then encouraged to grow when your body releases hormones to encourage a new lining to form in your womb.

When the new lining is shed the lining on your organs should also shed; but it has nowhere to go. The result is inflammation and pain.

Symptoms Connected With Endometriosis

The most common symptom is pain and discomfort in your abdomen just before and during the first part of your normal menstrual cycle. However it is worth noting that the amount of pain does not directly relate to the severity of your condition.

It is possible to have mild endometriosis and have very harsh symptoms or to have severe endometriosis and hardly any symptoms.

It is also known to trigger other issues such as asthma and eczema.

How It Affects Fertility

Because your lining is travelling and adhering to the wrong parts of your body it is going to cause inflammation. If this happens in the fallopian tubes you will gain scarring as the inflammation fades and heals.

Once this has happened on several occasions it is likely that the scarring will block the passage of the egg along the tube. The inflammation can also damage the egg or even the sperm if they can make it along these tubes.

In severe cases it is possible that endometriosis can cause your pelvic organs to stick together; damaging their ability to work effectively and even blocking your fallopian tubes.

Dealing With Endometriosis

It is possible to remove the lining and even reverse much of the damage done inside your body through laparoscopy surgery and the use of a laser.

Unfortunately surgery really is the only option.

If you are looking to conceive then it is worth trying this first, the alternative is to have your eggs harvested and implanted back into you. Interestingly becoming pregnant actually improves endometriosis!

This is a guest blog entry.

Top Five Low-Impact Workouts for Senior Citizens

All over the world, senior citizens are moving less than ever, and the seniors in the United States are no exception.

The results of one survey showed that 25.8 percent of U.S. men over the age of 65 and 32.5 percent of U.S. women of the same age bracket are consistently physically inactive.

There are lots of reasons why seniors don’t move as much as they should. No matter what their reason for not exercising, though, most seniors could benefit from moving more and trying to meet the country’s physical activity guidelines (30 minutes of aerobic activity five days per week, coupled with 2-3 flexibility and balance workouts and 2-3 strength training workouts).

If you’re not sure where to begin and want to start with some low-impact workouts, keep reading. Listed below are five of the best workouts for seniors that will help you increase your physical activity without putting strain on the joints.

Aqua Jogging

Aqua jogging (also known as pool running or water jogging) is exactly what it sounds like -- running in the water. You simply “run” through the deep end of a pool without letting your feet touch the ground.

The great thing about aqua jogging is that you get many of the same benefits of running (including improved cardiovascular health and endurance) without any of the impact. This makes it a perfect option for people who struggle with pain in the foot or knee.

If you’re new to aqua jogging, a local senior center may offer classes to help you get started.

Water Aerobics

If you love the water but don’t feel particularly jazzed about aqua jogging, maybe water aerobics is a better fit for you.

Similar to aqua jogging, water aerobics allows you to get your heart rate up without putting any stress on your joints. It’s great for people with arthritis, chronic pain, or those who have a lot of weight to lose and have a hard time with other forms of cardiovascular exercise.

Most gyms and senior centers offer water aerobics classes. Look for one that’s geared toward beginners to help you ease into the workouts without getting overwhelmed.

Yoga

Yoga is a great low-impact workout option that combines strength, flexibility, and balance training, so it’s perfect for seniors who want to check all those boxes at once.

Yoga is especially great for improving core strength and reducing seniors’ risk of falling and getting injured. It also helps improve bone density, which is great for senior women, who are more prone to osteoporosis.

Many seniors will do fine attending a beginner-friendly yoga class, but there are also classes dedicated solely to seniors -- some are even designed for people who need to stay seated for the entire class. Look online to find the right class for you, or ask someone at your local senior center what they recommend.

Walking

For burning calories, improving mobility, and improving strength and balance, there aren’t many workouts that are better than simply going for a walk.

Walking at a moderate pace for just 30 minutes a day can make a major difference in seniors’ health and physical strength. It’s especially good for increasing bone density and reducing the risk of developing heart disease.

In addition to being easy and totally free, walking is also a very scalable form of exercise. When you’re first getting started, you can simply do a few laps around your neighborhood. When that gets easy, you can seek out routes that feature hills or steps to make things a little more challenging.

Indoor Cycling

Indoor cycling is a good option for seniors who want to improve their cardiovascular health but aren’t drawn to aquatic exercise or walking. It’s also great for those who have lower body issues (knee pain, foot pain, hip pain, etc.).

Like walking, indoor cycling is also easy to scale. You can move at a slow, even pace when you’re getting started, then increase the resistance and speed as your endurance and strength begin to improve.

Indoor cycling workouts are also easy to modify, so you don’t necessarily need to seek out a senior-specific class when you’re first getting started.

This is a guest blog entry.

How to Get Back In Shape after Normal Delivery

One of the biggest worries of some new mothers is how to get back their normal body shape after delivery. It can be annoying when you look in the mirror, and you don't like what you see, especially when you used to have a banging body. Also, with so many celebrity-moms seemingly having no trouble snapping back into shape after pregnancy, one is left to wonder if there is some sort of hidden secret. Spoiler alert - there isn't.

To be fair, celebrity moms have the advantage of more resources that a lot of moms may not have the luxury of; they tend not to gain as much weight as the average pregnant woman because they have medical experts that guide them on what the exact things to do to limit the amount of baby fat as much as possible. Also, celebrity moms are placed on strict diets, which is not exactly a standard recommendation especially for women that had a difficult pregnancy or a C-section.

Experts also generally advise against pushing the body too hard and too fast in a bid to lose the baby weight as quickly as possible. It will only get you exhausted and discouraged, making it harder for you to carry on for long enough to lose the weight. However, all of this does not mean that the average mom cannot snap back into shape just as well as celebrity moms.

A little bit of dedication and a little bit of hard work is all you need. It may sound a little cliché, but it works. All you need to know is the right way to channel your dedication and hard work, and that is what this article is about to arm you with. Here's some tested advice on how to get back in shape after baby delivery.

When is the right time to start?

Firstly, get rid of any preconceived ideas you may have had about dieting or cutting your calorie intake dramatically - especially if you're breastfeeding your baby. If you are, you need to be consuming at least 1800-2000 calories per day. You need to consider the fact that if you eat less than this, you're not the only one affected - your baby is too. Your body cannot produce quality milk when you don't eat well enough. You need the calories, and you need the energy. Don't even consider dieting until after the first six weeks.

On the flip side, if you're not breastfeeding, you're allowed to watch your calorie intake to an extent. However, don't aim for anything higher than losing one pound a week. You may find it interesting that breastfeeding actually helps your body to burn calories though.

Exercising

Dieting is off-limits, but exercise isn't. It is actually highly recommended as a way to get back in shape. What's more, it will help your body to increase energy levels, and it can also contribute to battling postpartum depression. This fact has encouraged medical experts to promote exercise as an important factor in the post-pregnancy health of new moms.

Before you begin to work out, you need to check in with your doctor to make sure it's okay. This is particularly important if you had a difficult pregnancy or delivery. Your doctor will be able to decide if your body is ready to go through the rigor of exercise, and how often you can put your body through the process. With that being said, most medical experts will encourage mild workouts as soon as you feel like you're ready for it.

Post-Pregnancy Workouts

Just like any other process, it is advisable that you start with the easiest routines and work your way up to the harder ones so that your body does not have to go through a "sudden shock" from trying to work too hard too quickly. You can start with walks, and you can even involve the baby here by putting it in a stroller and taking it along with you for the walks. It's great for mother-child bonding too.

If you want something more challenging than just walking, you can work with exercises that are built for the third trimester of pregnancies and work your way back through the second trimester to the first trimester and then to the exercises you were doing before pregnancy. The entire process should last about 4-6 months.

You might want to pay more attention to strength-training exercises that help you to build a strong core. No matter what your fitness level is, you can explore perfect workout plans designed by Lafitness.reviews. Many women fail to recognize the importance of these exercises when in fact, it should be the area to start with as soon as possible. Even if you had been working out and performing strength performing strength-training exercises before your pregnancy, you would likely lose all that strength to the pregnancy. This is because your muscles are stretched out due to the extra weight that your body carries for nine months, so you need to work on building that core back.

The best approach to building a strong core is pelvic exercises.

• Start with a pelvic tilt, a sort of modified sit-up (only if you didn't deliver the baby through a C-section),
• tighten and squeeze your butt,
• relax for a bit,
• stick a pillow between both knees, squeeze and then relax again.

This will help build your core, and it will also strengthen your back.

Final Note

In your eagerness to lose the baby weight, you need to be careful not to overstress your joints from exercises such as jumping, jogging or running. If you have to do these exercises, take it easy for at least 6-8 weeks. The reason for this is that your body produces a hormone called relaxin during pregnancy.

Relaxin makes your joints loose, causing them to be more prone to injuries than they normally are. The hormone remains in your system for several weeks after pregnancy, and this is why you need to proceed with caution. It wouldn't do to get yourself sidelined with an injury in the course of trying to lose the baby weight.

Finally, if you notice any of these symptoms during or after exercises, get the help of a doctor immediately:

• Shortness of breath
• Excessive bleeding
• Abdominal or Pelvic pain
• Soreness of muscles that last for over two days

Best of luck!

This is a guest blog entry.

What Happens After a Patient Makes a Complaint?

When a patient makes a claim against their doctor or surgeon, the one thing you can be sure of is that they are seeking compensation for some wrongdoing, imagined or real, on the part of the medical professional and/or the surgery or hospital.

Many doctors have never been faced with this ordeal and although they carry the appropriate liability coverage and indemnity, they simply don’t know how to respond after a patient makes a claim. Here is some of what you need to know should you ever be faced with this situation.

Always Be on the Aware

One bit of advice offered by https://incisionindemnity.com/ is to always be aware of anything a patient or their advocate might do or say, triggering a light that indicates they may be thinking about filing a claim. As it has been said so many times in the past, to be forewarned is to be forearmed and if you even suspect a claim is on the horizon, it may be time to alert your solicitor and/or your insurance carrier. There are times when both a claim and an unfavorable outcome can be prevented if your insurance and legal teams are on the alert ready to forestall any long-lasting and damaging actions that could affect your career.

Look for such things as a threat to report you to the General Medical Council. At other times, they will simply start asking for in-depth records and reports which may indicate a reason other than record keeping. You may first be the subject of an internal investigation and that should get you thinking about an incident where a patient maybe died unexpectedly or safety issues which may have led to, or potentially led to, harm to the patient.

How Claims Are Filed

Typically, in a medical claim, the claimant will be represented by a lawyer who claims you were negligent in your duty of care. Their legal counsel will then notify your insurance company that a claim is being filed, state the underlying justification for the claim and then proceed to file all the proper forms and documents with the courts. At that point, your insurance company will contact you because they want to see you cleared of any wrongdoing and of course they don’t want to pay frivolous or fraudulent claims. They will work hard on your behalf to defend you, but sometimes there may be no defense and this is where a lawyer well versed in health claims can be a valued asset on your defense team.

Consequences of Valid Claims

There are varying degrees to the consequences you may be faced with if the patient or the patient’s advocate wins their claim against you. Sometimes the consequence is simply financial as in a monetary award for injury or pain and suffering and other times the consequences may lead to such things as being refused cover going forward, disciplinary action from the GMC, and sometimes a claim can be so severe as to lead to your being withdrawn from the medical profession. Some claims have resulted in doctors losing their privilege to practice medicine. While these claims are extreme and typically the result of several claims over a period of time or a class action suit, it can happen, and it is something to be aware of.

What happens after a patient makes a claim can be up to you. If you are quick on your feet and are aware of the signs of an imminent claim, you can have your defence lawyer on the job even before a claim hits the courts. It is up to you to contact your insurance company and your legal counsel to avoid matters getting out of control. Act quickly and you may be able to prevent that worst case scenario every doctor dreads.

This is a guest blog entry.

Healthcare Mobile App Development

Healthcare is the most essential aspect of everyday life. However, it’s usually neglected by individuals because of their fast pace of life and busy calendars. Today, it is difficult to find time to come to the hospital, book an appointment, and then see a specialist. Before this happens, one often has to stand in long lines.

The reality is that many people don’t have enough time and this makes entrepreneurs find new ways of providing their services fast and without compromising the quality. This is why mobile app development can be extremely useful. Technologies are flourishing and any industry can benefit from having a custom app.  It can level up any business sphere including healthcare.

Pioneering hospitals and clinics are engaging patients with custom mobile applications that are built to enhance the cooperation as well as communication between doctors and patients.

Nowadays, the healthcare app market has already reached $20 billion and it’s gaining momentum.The global mobile health (mHealth) market will reach $60 billion by 2020, but still, it’s only a prediction. It may become even bigger taking into account the pace it’s expanding.

Getting back to healthcare apps, they are built to increase patient engagement or to help them keep a healthy lifestyle. That will help people to stay focused on their health and improve their quality of life. Actually, there are mHealth apps for many health issues. They can track movements, help stick to a diet, calculate calories, schedule an appointment with a doctor, etc.

Types of Custom Mobile Apps for Healthcare 
 
Applications for hospitals or assistance in diagnosis    

Symptom checkers

•    PHR access
•    Digital imaging (MRI/X-Raying viewing abilities
•    Electronic chart review
•    Lab results review

Applications for remote monitoring   

•    LifeScan for patients with diabetes
•    Remote heart monitoring
•    ECG viewer
•    Oxygen level remote check
•    Telehealth services

Applications for reminders and alters  

•    Prescription management
•    Appointment reminders

Applications for references  

•    ICD-9/10 reference guide
•    E&M coding
•    Specialized medical reference material

Applications for a healthy living  

•    Pregnancy and baby development
•    Diet assistance
•    Exercise and fitness
•    Healthy eating

Applications for productivity    

•    Remote dictation
•    Surgery Scheduling
•    Interoffice communication

Number Can’t Lie

There are no doubts that the healthcare sector is one of the most profitable business sectors. And it’s expected to triple in the upcoming years. But let’s not get fooled and look at some actual stats.

•    It’s predicted that the healthcare industry is predicted to increase to $60k in the near future.

•    Many patients and doctors prefer utilizing custom healthcare apps and the healthcare app industry has already reached $20K.

•    Nowadays around half of the mobile users accumulate health-related information through their handheld devices.

No wonder that mHealth apps are in high demand not only among patients but also among doctors. A mobile app is indeed the best technology-oriented solution for hospitals and clinics. This is the main driver for healthcare managers to invest in software development and get fully-functioning mobile apps for both doctors and patients.

For patients    

•    reminder of upcoming doctor’s appointments.

•    track vital medication records and save health data

•    facilitate and ease the communication between a patient and a doctor

•    control drug treatment  

 For doctors

•    get the latest reports on patient’s health

•    easy integration with CRM (custom relationship management) as well as ERP (enterprise resource planning) systems

•    keep all the information about patients

•    schedule

•    ease communication with colleagues

Generally, mHealth apps are categorized into two categories - for doctors and for patients. In case, you have any special requirements, you can build a custom solution for your healthcare business. Have a glance at the features and facilities you can load your healthcare app with.

 Key Features and Facilities of mHeath Apps

•    Push notifications to get reminders

•    Access to medical data to collect vital information

•    View profiles of doctors/ hospitals/ etc.

•    Book, change and cancel appointments

•    On-time reminders to visit a doctor or take a pill

•    Access to lab reports

•    Get prescriptions

•    Latest news and information

•    Access to online reports

•    Get emergency aid

•    Get free medical advice

•    SOS call

These are only basic features for a healthcare app. They can make a core of a medical application.
However, it’d be great if you load your app with a tracking feature. With its help, patients will be able to monitor heart rate, pulse, blood pressure, glucose levels, calories, etc. And doctors will be able to track the health of their patients remotely.

A lot of healthcare apps are related to appointments, so scheduling is another important feature to add to your healthcare app. App for doctors will help doctors work with calendars, manage appointments, and schedule drug intake. Moreover, scheduling will come in handy when developing apps for sleeping or fitness.

Summing Up
 
Medical app development has become one of the most lucrative industries in today’s world. With its advanced features and functionalities, it has leveled up the experience of both patients and doctors. Mobile apps are transforming the industry and making it more convenient for any side, be it a doctor or a patient.

This is a guest blog entry.

10 Lesser-Known Vitamins and Minerals (and Where to Find Them)

Whether you’re a child, a gym professional, or an aging body, everyone knows the importance of a vitamin-rich dietary plan. But with such a long lineup of essential nutrients out there, locating all of them can become a confusing undertaking (especially when most people aren’t even sure what each one does).

To simplify your life, here is a quick list of those often overlooked vitamins and minerals, and exactly where you can hunt them down.

1. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
There are various B vitamins which the body requires, and yet there’s a general misunderstanding as to what all of them do. B1 is a good example of a nutrient which turns carbs into usable energy while strengthening the nervous system at the same time.

To introduce more B1 into your life, stock up on sunflower seeds, yellowfin tuna, lentils, and black beans.

2. Vitamin K
Vitamin K helps your blood to clot, which means that a simple laceration could turn into a much riskier incident of blood loss if you're deficient in this area. Vitamin K is also good for your bones and preventing the collection of calcium within your blood vessels.

To get your fix, look no further than spinach, kale, broccoli, and just about anything leafy green.

3. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
There are plenty of beneficial qualities to riboflavin, including the breakdown of protein, carbs, and fats which increases the metabolism and raises your energy levels. What’s more, it helps your blood to move along which can improve your skin’s texture.

B2 can be difficult to find, but if you're willing to feast on calf’s liver, then you’re good to go. For everyone else, try milk, almonds, and yeast.

4. Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Niacin looks after your nervous system while providing your body with sufficient energy to function throughout the day. It has also been shown to support your digestive organs while lowering your cholesterol levels, reducing the chance of a stroke or heart disease. Finally, there are some other reports which link this nutrient to healthier skin.

Look after your B3 dosage via the means of chicken/turkey breast, almonds, seeds, and whole wheat products.

5. Folic Acid
While its claim to fame is the development of a healthy baby during pregnancy, folic acid is still important for all genders to look into. It has been shown to assist cell rejuvenation and is essential for functional red blood cells which reduces the chance of anemia.

Folic acid is best found in broccoli, beans, asparagus, and lentils.

6. Vitamin B6
B6 is a special vitamin which works in conjunction with other vitamins to boost their roles. When used as a part of a complete diet, it lowers homocysteine, an amino acid negatively linked to depression, dementia, osteoporosis, and strokes. What’s more, it has been shown to promote a healthier brain, skeleton, and cardiovascular system, while also decreasing the chance of kidney stones.

There is plenty of B6 available in beef, chicken, bananas, potatoes, and chickpeas.

7. Vitamin B7 (Biotin)
Biotin is an ally of your red blood cells, which means an improved delivery of oxygen around the system, often sold as hair growth products. Much like B6, biotin also lends a helping hand in the absorption of other nutrients.

Unfortunately, B7 is very difficult to find in foods but is available in lower amounts from almonds, tomatoes, and animal livers. However, it is recommended that you consider researching biotin supplements depending on your gender and lifestyle, as there are vitamins for men or women available.

8. Vitamin E
The often misunderstood vitamin E is ideal for better blood circulation and tissue repair while acting as an antioxidant for an improved immune system. But be careful not to overdo it! Vitamin E is fat-soluble and can remain in your system for a long time. If you are on other medication, speak to your doctor first before boosting a supplement dose.

For everyone else, fill up on almonds, sunflower seeds, olives, and turnip greens.

9. Vitamin B12 (Folate)
If you find yourself regularly short of breath, you may need to investigate your B12 intake. Folate supports the metabolism’s conversion of food into energy while bolstering your red blood cells and the nervous system.

Due to its abundance in meat, eggs, and cheese products, most vegans are B12 deficient. If you prefer a green diet, increase your yeast consumption and explore supplement options.

10. Magnesium
Famous by name, magnesium is an overlooked asset to your muscles, improving their ability to contract and relax. Furthermore, it also regulates your blood pressure while aiding the body in its calcium absorption which promotes healthier bones.

Seek out some extra magnesium by filling your plate with spinach, almonds, beans, and avocado.

This is a guest blog entry.

5 Essential Habits to Practice as You Recover from Alcoholism

“Your mental health is a priority.
Your happiness is essential.
Your self-care is a necessity.”
-Anon
I don’t know where you are exactly in the great scheme of things, let alone your scheme of things.

You may have just got yourself clean and sober (finally), as I managed to do nearly a decade ago. Or, like many who are simply fed up with the drunk life they feel trapped in, you may be reading this because you’re just plain sick and tired of it all. Sick and tired of looking around to find another somebody has left your life or another something else has been lost, and neither may ever come back.

You may be looking for answers because the questions never change: “When will this ever stop?” or “Does it get better when there’s no more of me left to care?” Here’s a question for you: “How could I ever lead a sober life?” The answer, my friend, is a simple “Habits - good ones.”

My name is Andy, I’m a recovering drug addict and alcoholic (clean and sober for 9 years now), and I really don’t know where this finds you in what you consider to be your “great scheme of things.” I only hope it finds you well and wants to learn something about staying well, for people like us.

This is my great scheme because it’s my life. Staying well is staying abstinent. It’s practicing only good habits each and every day. It’s hard work, but it’s attainable, and I reap the rewards. Recovery has bad days, it’s true, but the ocean of good days just end up washing those away.

Good habits - that was a lesson well learned in my own drug and alcohol rehab. Here’s what they told me:

Around 60% of what you did yesterday, you’ll do again today. Wait for it - you will do it tomorrow too unless you want or have to change it. We are creatures of habit, whether it’s where we decide to take lunch during the working day, or where we keep that all-important first drink or first hit of the day - it’s habit, and, as recovering alcoholics, we need good ones. Only good ones. Fact.

Good habits are more than just a way of giving yourself structure. The habits I have built up during my recovery are more than that. They became a way to find out who I really was, how I could learn to react to situations that in the past were triggers to addictive behavior, and also they were a place to hide away if I needed one, a secure and safe place for me to be. My recovery security blanket, if you like.

This article - 5 Essential Habits to Practice as You Recover from Alcoholism - is my way of sharing part of my recovery’s education with you. Like everything in an alcoholic’s slow journey to a clean and sober life, it’s better if it’s shared with others. Let’s begin:

Strength

Rehab provided me with the best education I’ve ever had, and I majored in “me.” Everything I needed to learn about what lay ahead of me was a reflection of what lay inside of me, and that self-realization was the foundation of my recovery. I already felt I was an expert at all that was wrong with me, my faults and my failings. Rehab flipped that coin, and I learned the opposite - I learned my strengths.

Here are just a few of those strengths, amongst others:

• Intelligence
• Creativity
• Loyalty
• Humor, and most importantly for me
• Empathy

Hard to do when you’re drunk, but sober, with a clear head, and with the right guidance, you can create your own list. Believe me, you’ll be as surprised as I was. Yes, we may be an alcoholic, but that is just a part of us, and it’s certainly never been our entirety. As part of your recovery, write your list, and remind yourself of it every day.

Less Stress

No-one lives stress-free, right? Right. Our world certainly isn’t set up for it. However, you can take one great leap for yourself in that direction if you learn to manage the stress you do live with. If you’re a recovering alcoholic, the one thing - the only thing - that can take you back to where you once were is a relapse. Unmanaged stress is one of the biggest triggers of relapse, and it needs to be dealt with.

Here are some practicalities you can put in place to ensure stress is not only managed, but the events and issues in your life gain a new perspective:

• Always, always put your needs, primarily your physical and mental health, above all else
• “Go easy” (as one of my counselors once said to me) - recovery isn’t a race, it takes time
• Avoid unnecessary drama when you can - you don’t need it
• Learn about stress management: exercise, keeping a diary, yoga, meditation, etc.

New Activities = New Habits

The beginning of your recovery is going to present you with familiar challenges. You may well be returning to a similar, if not, identical routine as the one you had previously. My advice? Change everything that you can change, and plan and make the most of the free time that you may now have. The answer to this unquestionable power of routine is to develop new activities and new interests. If you’ve always wondered about something, simply go and find out.

Regardless of the state, I would find myself in sometimes, I always was happy playing basketball when I could and I was able. No surprise that it took up a good amount of my time during my early recovery, and I still play competitively 3 times a week now. Furthermore, art is becoming an increasingly important part of my life now. Find out exactly what your basketball or your blank canvas is. 

Exercise

Your alcoholic life will have taken a toll on your body, and, sadly, some damage will be beyond repair. Not only is cleansing your body of alcohol an exceptionally strenuous undertaking even when medically supervised, you go through it when your body is at its lowest ebb physically. Once you’re on the other side of this essential step, your body needs help to get back working as well as it can.

As they say, a healthy body really is a healthy mind, and, although it may not feel like it at first, there is nothing better for you than to engage in some form of regular exercise, preferably aerobic in nature. You certainly don’t have to hit the gym to do this. In fact, I’ve always found gyms to be a very insular place to get fit - I have always much preferred either team sports or group activities, like a cycling club for example. Not only do you get fit, you socialize with new and like-minded people.

Eat Healthily & Drink (Water)

Having a nutritious and balanced diet, accompanied by making sure you’re always hydrated, is the other essential boost that you can continually give to your body during recovery. The combination of this and the regular exercise described above will ensure you provide your body with the best possible path to its own recovery from your alcoholism. One last word on this - never allows yourself to feel hungry, as this will exacerbate any cravings you may still have.

Given The Opportunity

These 5 essential (and good) habits - strength, less stress, new activities, exercise, and diet and hydration - are the cornerstones of my recovery, and I have no wish to imagine where I’d be if I didn’t have these things in my new and sober life.

At the beginning of your recovery, they may feel a little insignificant, and they may not actually take up a great deal of your time. However, given the opportunity, they will grow and flourish and become as intrinsic to your new life of recovery as the premeditated act of abstention. Just given the opportunity, and we all deserve that.

What good habits have you found helpful in your recovery? Are you wondering how you could make a recovery yourself? Please feel free to share a comment below - thanks. Like I said before, I hope this finds you well. Take care and go easy.

This is a guest blog post.

Recruitment in Britain’s NHS — 3 in-demand careers that you could pursue

Britain’s National Health Service (NHS) turned 70 this year — and in the decades since it’s establishment by then minister of health and housing Aneurin Bevan, the free at the point of delivery service has benefited families from all strata of society.

But it’s faced increasingly severe funding problems thanks to austerity cuts following the 2008 financial crash and a recruitment crisis since the UK voted to leave the EU in 2016.

On the flipside of these problems are opportunities for health workers from outside the EU who might want to migrate to Britain to secure the future of one of its finest institutions.
So here are three in-demand careers you could pursue in Britain’s NHS.

1. Nursing and midwifery

In the year following the Brexit vote in June 2016, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) reported that EU nurse applications to join the NHS dropped by a staggering 96%.

And by January 2018, NHS Digital reported that there were 34,260 unfilled nursing and midwifery vacancies in England — with Surrey, Kent, Sussex and all areas of London finding recruitment particularly difficult.

Nurses from nations like Jamaica and India are being recruited in an attempt to plug the gap, but it’ll be some time before this branch of the NHS is anywhere near optimal operational capacity.

If you’re a nurse qualified outside Europe, contacting the NMC about non-EU/EEA qualifications and application criteria is the best first step towards translating your skillset to UK hospitals.

2. Dentistry

If tackling toothcare is your medical forte, you might find a bright new career in the NHS.

In February 2018, the British Dental Association (BDA) reported that a dentist recruitment crisis meant that over two-thirds of NHS practices in England recruiting in the preceding year had problems filling vacancies — while some existing practitioners are leaving to concentrate solely on private practice.

And General Dental Council (GDC) stats for the period 2006-2016 show that 40% of new entrants to the professional register came from overseas — although a lack of clarity over the government’s post-Brexit plans means EEA registrants are starting to move elsewhere.

Checking Health Education England recruitment guidance can help you decipher whether your existing dentistry qualification is mutually-recognized, or if you’ll need to pass an overseas registration examination.

3. Healthcare management

To cope with meeting treatment targets and improving outcomes against a backdrop of financial pressures and recruitment and retention issues, the NHS needs talented managers more than ever.

And as the organization has become more diverse and complex, the sharp coordination and administration skills of leaders is as crucial as their people skills.

So if you’re currently working in health management or can envisage adapting your general management skills, the NHS could be a fulfilling final destination.

Studying for an online Healthcare Management MSc from a British institution can help you convert your skill set and boost your CV.

So there are three in-demand careers you could pursue in the NHS — research your visa and application requirements and take the first step towards an exciting new vocation.

Have you migrated to work for the NHS? Share your experiences in the comments section.


Written by Kevin Fullerton

How To Get Healthy And Fit For The Summer

Summer is already here and many individuals are far behind on their weight loss goals. Unfortunately, this might lead to them making drastic changes that end up negatively impacting their health. Sure, looking good and fit can seem like the most important goal to some individuals, but it isn’t worth it if it is going to affect your health.

There really is no reason to rush because you still have time to get in shape for the peak of the summer. However, you just want to make sure that you are doing it the healthy way and that is exactly what you are going to learn below.

Stay On A Consistent Path

It shouldn’t come as a huge surprise that exercising is extremely important to maintaining a long and healthy life. Even if you are just eating junk all day long your body will be better off with the fact that you are exercising. That being said, you always need to make sure that you are being consistent with your exercise routines. Don’t workout two to three hours one and one hour another week. Make sure that you stick to the same time frame and work up from there. It doesn’t matter how low or slow your start out, as long as you are staying consistent and building up from that point you are going to be just fine.

Balance Your Diet

Eating right is a very important part of staying fit and healthy. You can’t workout for two to three hours a week and just eat whatever you want. It should go without saying that you need to stay away from trans fat and high caloric sweets. When it comes to your daily meals, you need to make sure that you are consuming nothing in excess and keep everything to a moderate amount. In addition to this, you want to make sure that your plate is always well balanced with all the food groups. Include fruits, vegetables, and healthy protein.

Choose Your Supplements Carefully

There are tons of supplements and steroids available today on the open market. Sure, these supplements can be extremely beneficial, but they can also come along with some nasty side effects. This is why it is always imperative to choose your supplements wisely. For instance, if you are a male and considering taking steroids, you might always want to consider stacking them with body building clomid. Clomid is a manmade estrogen that actually blocks the undesirable effects of estrogen that comes along with consuming steroids.

More And More Water

You might already know that water is the source to all life. In fact, the biggest portion of your body is made up of water, so it only makes sense that water is necessary for the body. Not only will water flush the system of harmful toxins, but it has the ability to make your body feel cleaner, while providing you with a lighter head. Of course, you have to be careful about the amount you are consuming, as too much can be bad. Most experts recommend 64 ounces a day.

This is a guest blog entry.

How The United States Can Improve Its Health

It is undoubtedly true that the United States has some of the most expensive healthcare in the world. This has proven to be very problematic for consumers and medical professionals alike. It has also taken a toll on the government at large. With that being said, the United States needs to begin taking steps to rectify this problem as quickly as possible. The good news is that there are plenty of things the country can do to fix its healthcare problem. Within this guide, this subject will be discussed in greater depth.

Physical Education

One of the biggest health problems in the United States is the lack of physical fitness. Too many people are sitting around for too long each and every day. This is causing the obesity rate across the country to rise significantly. This is a problem that needs to be addressed immediately. This is why schools across the country should begin implementing physical education programs as soon as possible. If physical education is added to schools, there is a good chance that it’ll help reduce the obesity rate.

It will also teach future generations how to keep themselves in great shape.

Doctor Education

While you’re at it, you must agree that many problems originate in the hospitals across the United States. US based healthcare facilities need to provide consumers with more than just medications. Many people believe that medications can solve all of their problems. This couldn’t be further from the truth. In many cases, medications only escalate the problem and make it much worse. This is why doctors need to begin providing their patients with education. It is pertinent to ensure that patients have the knowhow to improve their health without the need for drugs.

Diet Guidelines

Over the years, the diet guidelines have changed significantly. At the same time, consumers have started ignoring these recommendations. This is a very serious problem. Consumers are eating terrible foods and it is beginning to take a toll on the country at large. Fast foods are causing the obesity rate to climb higher and higher. This is another problem that needs to be addressed. Consumers need to know exactly what foods they can eat and what foods need to be avoided.

The government needs to put measures into place to ensure that consumers are eating healthy. This could make a big difference in the long run.

Home Education

Finally, it is vital to understand that consumers need to begin taking care of themselves. The government, doctors and the public education system cannot rectify all problems out there. This is why consumers need to begin looking after themselves. Parents need to begin providing their children with the education that is needed to remain healthy and fit. Until this happens, children are going to remain at risk of becoming obese. And, there are many diseases that are directly linked to obesity. The best way to avoid these problems is by gaining an education early on.

This is why parents will need to remain proactive in the lives of their children!

This is a guest blog entry.

HGH Injections Brands: Why Your Choice Matters

Warning – not all HGH brands are the same! Before you buy HGH injections, make sure you understand the differences between the various HGH injections brands.

HGH – human growth hormone or somatropin – is a bioidentical version of the hormone somatotropin. The quality and effectiveness of HGH can vary significantly from one brand to another.

How, then, do you do which HGH to buy?
Learn more about HGH therapy on – www.hght.com

That is why we are here – to provide you with the facts to help you make an informed choice before you spend your hard-earned money. HGH is not cheap. You are investing in your health, and we want to help you get the most bang for your bucks. The right decision can bring you superior benefits. The wrong selection could cause side effects and even land you in the hospital.

The best HGH injections brands will have the same molecular structure as somatotropin. They will consist of a 191 single-chain, amino acid sequence. HGH is a polypeptide protein that the body will recognize as real growth hormone.

Unlike inferior quality brands, the best HGH will contain pure human growth hormone and not unknown substances or bacterial residue. By ensuring that your HGH manufacturing takes place in Europe or the United States, you will know the quality is exceptional. Cheaper, Asian-made HGH is often of inferior quality, and may even have a 192 amino acid sequence. No, 192 amino acids are not better than 191. It is not an exact match to human growth hormone and can produce significant side effects. Most importantly, cheaper HGH is often produced under unsanitary conditions without the government regulations in place for cleanliness and quality.

Which High-Quality Brands of HGH Injections Are the Best?

Now that you know a little about human growth hormone let us answer the question you want to know. Which are the best HGH injection brand names to buy?

Here is our list as comprised by our hormone doctors who review each medication for quality and effectiveness:

•    Genotropin by Pfizer
•    Humatrope by Eli Lilly
•    Norditropin by Novo Nordisk
•    Omnitrope by Sandoz
•    Saizen by EMD Serono

No doubt you recognize at least one of the pharmaceutical manufacturers listed above. Each company produces superior HGH injections brands in a variety of injector styles. Tev-Tropin is another possible brand to use, although it is marketed more for children than adults. That being said, some individuals have received excellent results from Tev-Tropin. It is just not one of our top five choices for treatment of growth hormone deficiency.

Why Should You Stay Away from Low-Quality Brands of HGH Injections?

You may wonder why you should stay away from HGH injections brands with names like Jintropin, Ansomone, Hygetropin, Kefei, Getropin, Glotropin, Fitropin, and Kigtropin.

Some brands, such as Getropin, Glotropin, and Kigtropin are of questionable origin. Others, such as Fitropin are discontinued. That does not mean you will not find it for sale online. Anything is possible and potentially dangerous.

You want to stay away from low-quality HGH injections names due to the risk of receiving a potentially dangerous and counterfeit medication. Some products tested have contained compounds such as rat poison and cement. These are not substances you want to inject into your body.

Finally, never buy HGH by “cap color” rather than brand name. These are some of the cheapest generically produced forms of human growth hormone.

If you care about what you put in your body then you only want to inject pure, high-quality HGH.

How to Choose the Right HGH Injections Brands for You

We mentioned our top five brands of HGH injections that our doctors prescribe to adults with growth hormone deficiency. What makes one brand a better choice over the others, and how do you know which one to choose?

There is no difference in brand quality, so eliminate that reason for why one HGH brand is better than the others. The biggest differences are in price and injector styles.

When it comes time to select a medication, your clinical advisor will ask you a few questions. The factors that can influence your brand decision include:

• Lifestyle habits
• Dosage prescribed
• Budget
• Convenience
• Travel

You may wonder why travel is on the list. Most HGH injections brands require constant refrigeration. People who frequently travel often do better selecting one of the options that are storable at room temperature.

If money is the primary factor driving your decision, then a brand of HGH available in a standard vial for use with disposable insulin syringes is the best option.

The dosage makes a difference in which product will meet your needs. A higher dosage may necessitate an injector pen with 10, 12, 15, 0r 24 mg rather than one with only 5 mg. You would run out of medication sooner and likely have a higher cost factor than going with a different selection.

Finally, lifestyle habits and convenience converge when people are looking for the easiest, quickest method of injecting HGH. Each of the five brands of HGH offers at least one option for injector pens. Your advisor at our hormone clinic will explain the differences in both cost and usage convenience to help you make the right choice.

Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more about which brand of HGH is right for you.

This is a guest blog entry.

10 Tools to Help Seniors Age in Place

The data is in and research shows that upwards of 90% of seniors over the age of 65 want to remain in their home as they age. While this goal may seem completely practical, the truth is that many homes are not equipped to fully support the health, safety, and independence of an older adult, especially one living on their own.

As a senior yourself or a caregiver for one, don’t miss this essential list of 10 tools to help seniors age in place:

Medical Alert Systems
Whether it’s a free-standing phone, a digital ID bracelet, or even a pendant worn around the neck, medical alert systems provide peace of mind for both seniors living at home and their caregivers far away. With the tap of a button, a senior can quickly alert emergency contacts or even 911 in the event of a fall, injury, or other accident.

Lift Chair
For seniors with any type of mobility issue, from leg weakness to joint discomfort, an armchair or recliner which mechanically raises up and down can provide a world of assistance. Lift chairs are remote controlled and can lift forward and up to help a senior to their feet from a sitting position. Getting from a seated position to a nearby mobility aid is easier than ever and makes navigating the home environment solo much more possible.

Grab Bars
Bathroom upgrades are one of the highest priorities for seniors living independently at home as the bathroom itself is a high-risk environment for falls. In addition to non-slip flooring, grab bars both outside and inside the shower or shower tub offer seniors a sturdy support as they tend to bathing needs. Items like toilet seat risers can also aid a senior when sitting down or standing up from the toilet.

Lighting
Small updates to lighting around the home can make a huge difference for seniors aging in place. Make sure wattage is consistent in light bulbs from room to room and consider replacing commonly-used lamps (like in the bedroom and living room) with motion-activated or clap-on versions so there’s no concern about scrambling through the dark to flip a switch.

Medicine Organizer
With 4 out of 5 older adults living with at least one chronic condition, the chances that you or a senior you know take some type of medicine daily is high. Medicine organizers help seniors stick to their medicine schedules and allow them to sort and coordinate medicine doses both by day but also the time of day, i.e. you can get an organizer with A.M. and P.M. boxes for each day of the week. Some medicine organizers even alert seniors to when it is time to take medicine.

Bed Rails
Bed rails not only help with getting in and out of bed independently, but they can assist with repositioning in bed, allowing seniors to facilitate the most comfortable sleeping position (and therefore improving sleep quality and duration). Adjustable bed rails are fairly easy to install and maneuver and can be found online or in some pharmacies or big box stores.

Home Monitoring System
Technological advancements are taking home monitoring to the next level when it comes to senior wellness. Some monitoring systems consist of both safety features (like remote-controlled locks on doors) as well as motion-sensing around the home so children and caregivers can be alerted accordingly.

High-powered Blender
When it comes to the discussion of aging in place, the focus is often on medical needs and physical safety, however, nutrition plays a key role in health outcomes too. Cooking substantial, nutritious meals may not always be feasible for older seniors but a high-powered blender can help. Devices like Blendtec’s and Vitamix’s can whip up meals from smoothies to soups in a matter of seconds - all you have to do is throw in the necessary healthy ingredients and press a button.

Digital Device
It’s no surprise that research shows social isolation and loneliness can contribute to mortality. When a senior ages at home, especially when they are on their own or cannot drive, their levels of social interaction and engagement can plummet. Digital devices like laptops, tablets, and smartphones combat this type of isolation by connecting seniors with the outside world whether it’s helping them video chat with grandkids or simply allowing them to message old friends on social media.

Outdoor Signage
Often overlooked, outdoor address signage that clearly displays the house number on a senior’s home can make all the difference, especially in the event of emergency services trying to reach the home. Sizeable mailbox and house numbers that aren’t just large but can also be seen in the dark are important and fairly easy to find and display.

This is a guest blog entry.

The Ultimate Guide to Improve Your Mental Clarity and Focus

We all know how useless a scattered mind can be. It makes everything difficult from focusing on a simple task to making some of the important decisions in your life. This is, in part, due to the effects of modern technology, which overstimulates our minds and paralyzes them by bombarding them with information every second. Eventually, your mind becomes muddled by everything going on around you that it makes it hard to get through your day.

We spoke to the team at BestNootropicsNow.com and asked if there’s anything that can be done about the issue. BestNootropicsNow says that the prevailing opinion among neuroscientists is that technology is the major reason why our minds are so cluttered. Basically, due to all the overstimulation we’re getting, our neural pathways are getting rewired to be shallower so we can multitask more effectively. The result is that, over time, we become less capable of focusing deeply on a single thing.

“But the situation isn’t entirely hopeless,” says BestNootropicsNow. “There are effective habits you can adopt that make it easier to declutter your brain and manage some deep focus and mental clarity. It’s possible to repair our brains if we do the right things.”

Here is a list of some habits that can get you well on your way to complete mental clarity and focus.

Clutter Outside Means Clutter Inside

Believe it or not, there is a very strong connection between the state of your external physical space and your internal mental space. As it turns out, a messed up external environment often leads to increased stress in the mind. When you have a cluttered physical space, then your mind will be constantly distracted and exposed to too many stimuli. For this reason alone, you should treat your physical space like a sanctuary — a sort of temple where your mind can be at peace.

If there are items you aren’t using at a particular time, make sure they remain outside of your field of vision, including your periphery. Once these items are out of your sight, they will most likely be out of your mind as well. The same applies for your virtual space as well. If there are files that you aren’t using on your desktop, make sure you put them neatly in appropriate folders. You should also strive to keep your online space as neat and organized as possible.

The Power of Routine

 
There is a tradition among sports psychologists to take their athletes through a well-defined set of steps before they make their play. Some of these may not make any sense. They’re movements that seem pretty unusual, and even unnecessary. They are important, however, for the simple reason that they make their mind relax and get into a familiar place. That way, it and they are prepped for a great performance. In a much similar way, having a well-defined daily routine, such as a ritual you go through every morning, will get your mind into the zone it needs to be in order to do some of its best work.

That routine could pretty much be anything. You might prefer to get up and make yourself a cup of coffee. Perhaps a little exercise before you begin your day. Whatever works, do it. You can experiment here and there to try out different routines and different configurations for your workspace to find what works. You will eventually notice that some routines and workspaces make you highly focused and productive. Remember, as a human being, you are primarily a creature of habit. You can use this to your advantages by molding habits for yourself that get you to perform at your very best every single time.

Aim for the 'Flow' State

This is something most people can identify with. You must have been in a situation where you were deeply absorbed in a particular activity. So absorbed, in fact, that you even lost all sense of the passage of time. You were immune to all distraction and seemed to exist solely in a cocoon with whatever activity it was that you were engaged in. That is what psychologists call the state of “flow.” It is a state where your mind becomes completely occupied by the task at hand. Many people say that it is probably the happiest a human being can be because it involves a state of absolute peace with yourself and a selfless devotion to what you’re doing.

If you want to get into this state, you have to strike a certain balance between the amount of skill you have and the complexity of the challenge you’re facing. If you happen to be more skilled than the challenge that lies before you demands, then you’re more likely than not to get bored and stop working altogether. On the other hand, if the challenge is far more complex than your skills can match, then you’re going to be frustrated and anxious about your performance.

The trick here is to find a way to stretch yourself so that you’re always just beyond your comfort zone in terms of skill. However, don’t stretch yourself so far that you suffer from performance anxiety. That way, you ensure a continuous state of growth. Being in that sweet spot keeps your mind constantly in focus and ensures you’re performing at your optimal level.
 
The Evils of Multitasking

People think that multitasking is something to be proud of. I can’t count the number of times I hear people say “I can multitask” like it’s supposed to be a superpower. My pet peeve is when it’s used as a gender stereotype like when people say women are better at multitasking than men. Well, it isn’t a good thing, and it certainly isn’t something to be proud of, especially in this day and age when multitasking is the rule rather than the exception.

To be entirely honest, the term “multitask” is often used incorrectly these days. What people really do when they think they’re multitasking is that they switch between tasks. It’s a fairly useful thing when you’re trying to do many mundane things at the same time — the kind of things that don’t require you to think too hard. It’s not very useful, though, when you’re using it on more significant tasks that require a deeper focus. In fact, during such times, it is more detrimental than it is beneficial.

There is a method Hayes told us about that we liked a lot. It is called the three-to-one method and is very simple in principle. When you have several things to do, narrow them down to the three most important tasks. Once you’ve done that, focus on one of the three tasks at a time, giving it your full attention for a while. Give yourself enough time on the task that you can do something meaningful and productive while you’re on it. The, you can move onto the next task and the next, and then come back to the first and so on. That way, you rotate between the three tasks but you give yourself ample time to do meaningful work for each. That kind of balance ensures your mind is able to focus more deeply on the task at hand and makes it more productive.

Master a Good Rhythm Between Work and Rest

There are plenty of studies that show that people are at their most productive when they have a working rhythm of work and rest. They work intensely for a period of time, then take a short rest, then get back to work, and so on. Perhaps the most popular application of this theory is the Pomodoro Technique. Here, you work nonstop for a period of 25 minutes then rest for 5 minutes. The full cycle of work and rest is 30 minutes and keeps repeating itself. After a few cycles, say 5, you can take a longer break of 15 or 20 minutes. Note that it doesn’t have to be 25 minutes and 5 minutes. You could just as easily work for 50 minutes and take a rest of 20 minutes. The idea is to start with smaller cycles and work your way up to the longer ones gradually.

In order for you to be at your most productive, it’s important that you give your mind the opportunity to rest, especially after a prolonged period of deep and intensive work. You don’t have to settle for any specific cycle. Anything that works for you is good enough.
 
Don’t Forget About Sleep and Diet

What you eat goes a long way in determining the state of your body. You are, as the saying goes, what you eat. If you tend to eat foods that are too high in refined carbohydrates or fats like processed foods, you will experience a general slowing down of the mind and body. Studies actually show that such foods tend to have a negative effect on our thinking process.

The same is true if you don’t get enough sleep. Not even scientists have a definitive answer for why humans need to sleep. The fact of the matter, however, is that our minds and bodies can’t function well without it. A lack of sleep leads to stunted thinking and learning skills along with a host of health-related issues.

The best advice I can give you here is to do your best to stay away from processed foods, animal products and refined sugars. Eat more fruits and vegetables and go for as much whole plant food as you can. It really does pay off for your brain.

This is a guest blog entry.

Smart Steps for Growing Older

Throughout our lives, things change. Whether it's from childhood to the teenage years or middle age to early senior status, there's no denying that things in our new life stage won't be quite the same as things in the old one.

When those changes involve reduced independence, they can be very difficult to accept. However, whether we accept them or not, they are coming, and we need to be prepared to deal with them.

For those of us reaching senior citizen age, there are many different issues we need to think about. Some can be a little intimidating, but the most important thing to remember is that when you make a change by choice, it can keep you from having to make a change without a choice.

One of the most common ones is a reduction in mobility. After many years of working hard and playing hard, sometimes our bodies just don't have the balance or range of motion that they once did, or at least not without pain.

Fortunately, creative people in health care have come up with some great products that can do a lot to minimize the impact of lower mobility. For people who may be able to move around unassisted for daily activities but may need some help with longer distances, the bulky wheelchair has been replaced by a compact electric wheel chair that provides all the help they need without taking up half the car and requiring assistance to move around.

Another common transition for seniors is in their living arrangements. Oftentimes the sprawling multi-level home where they raised the family is too big to keep up, too difficult to get around in, or too far from close friends. As a result, they end up moving to a senior residential development of some kind, which could be anything from an apartment to a townhouse or any of countless other options.

Developments like these are built to be comfortable and safe for senior residents, with difficult maintenance tasks and even meals provided by staff. This reduces the burden of daily living and allows seniors to avoid the most difficult or dangerous tasks, letting them focus on relaxing and socializing with friends and neighbors with similar interests.

One other option is for seniors to stay in their longtime homes but to get assistance with the most problematic tasks. An early choice here is often to hire someone for lawn care and house cleaning, but there are many other options available.

A good example is home health care. Seniors who are recovering from injuries or from events such as strokes or heart attacks can often benefit from in-home medical care from a nurse or other caregiver. These workers visit on a regular schedule and oversee things like physical therapy and medications.

They also provide companionship and monitor the senior for changes in health, such as increasing difficulty moving around or early signs of dementia, providing an earlier opportunity to intervene and slow the progression of these conditions. Home care is often covered by Medicare and private insurers, so the cost can be manageable.

No matter what age we are, we see changes in our lives with each new year. The question isn't whether things will stay the same but rather how we will adapt to those changes, and it's no different for people entering their golden years. Fortunately, a good plan for anticipating and reacting to these changes will help minimize their impact and help seniors maintain independence and quality of life.

This is a blog post by Nancy Evans.