Life and Health

You’re not alone if you shy away from the doctor’s office, but you’re not doing yourself any favors by avoiding the doctor. Working with a trustworthy doctor can help you follow better health behaviors. It can also help you detect and treat health conditions early instead of suffering serious consequences later.

Why You Should Find a Good Doctor When You’re Healthy

You may think that you don’t need to worry about finding a good primary doctor if you don’t have any current health concerns now. In reality, that’s the best time to find a doctor because you’re not in a rush. Make an appointment with a primary care physician.

When you meet your doctor, think about whether you feel comfortable talking to him or her. Developing a communicative relationship with your doctor when you’re healthy can make the process easier for both of you should you get sick. It’s also a good time to ask whether you can make any lifestyle changes to improve your health.

Regular Physical Exams Can Prevent Major Problems

Your age, gender, and health history affect recommendations for how often you should have a physical and get routine tests done. These health screenings can identify minor concerns so you can treat them before they turn into serious medical conditions.

For example, changes in your diet and exercise patterns may be able to treat unhealthy cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and high blood sugar if you catch them early. If you wait, you might be stuck with medications and progression to diseases such as heart disease, kidney disease, and diabetes. Regular cancer screenings, such as prostate for men and breast for women, are another example.

Positive Effects on Life Insurance

Life insurance premium depend on your risk of dying before the policy term is over. When you stay healthy, your rates are lower. Simple steps such as keeping your cholesterol levels and blood pressure in check help you stay in the lower-risk, lower-rate categories. You can do this by going to your doctor and following orders. Not everyone goes to the doctor as often as recommended, but it’s a good idea.

Finding a doctor that you trust and getting a regular physical can go a long way towards staying healthy and fighting disease if it comes.

When you decide to take out a life insurance policy, the life insurance company looks at a few factors to decide what your premium rates will be. One factor is your level of coverage, or the amount that the company would pay in benefits were something to happen to you. A higher level of coverage costs more.

Companies also consider your level of risk when figuring out your premium costs. They evaluate the chances of something happening to you and forcing them to pay out. Life insurance companies comes up with its own exact value for your monthly or annual fees, but they use standard risk categories to guide their decisions.

Preferred Class

Premiums in Preferred are relatively low. You may qualify for preferred coverage if you are healthy and have few risk factors.

* Your weight is within the normal range for your height.
* No immediate family members died before age 60 from cancer or heart disease.
* Your cholesterol, blood pressure, and other values are normal.
* You have no chronic conditions.

Qualifying for Preferred Plus is even more difficult than Preferred, and your premiums in this class would be lower.

Standard and Substandard

Premiums in standard are more expensive than Preferred because you have some risk factors, such as the following.

* Mildly elevated blood pressure or slightly high LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio.
* Slightly overweight.

The cost of life insurance if you fall within the Substandard class can be three or more times as high as the cost of Standard. If you have an uncontrolled or advanced chronic condition or you are very overweight, you may be in this category.

Classes Consider Nicotine

Smoking is a risk factor for many health conditions, including oral, esophageal and lung cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory conditions. Since these increase your risk of dying, life insurance companies charge smokers extra.

You’ll need to get estimates from specific life insurance companies before making a decision, and being informed before you get quotes can help you make smarter decisions. You can have some idea of your expected rates by checking with risk class you are in.

Playing outside isn’t just for kids. It has tons of benefits for adults. One of the unexpected ones may be that it can lead to lower life insurance rates. It’s not always easy to make yourself go outside and exercise, but knowing that the effort can keep you healthy and save you money can be enough for you get off the couch. The more fun you have exercising, the better the results will be.

Benefits of Exercise

Exercise burns calories and improves your health. Since life insurance rates are based on your health risk factors, regular physical activity can help lower your life insurance rates. These are some of the benefits of exercise.

* Lower risk for heart disease and stroke.
* Lower blood pressure.
* Lower blood sugar levels and risk for diabetes.
* Stronger bones.
* Better mood.
* Clearer mind.

Make a Commitment to Exercise

Set aside some time to exercise most days of the week. Aim for 30 to 60 minutes, but even 10 minutes is better than nothing. The trick is to find some activities that you love, and any activity that is fun and gets you moving is a good choice. These are some options.

* Walk, jog, bike, swim laps, or hike.
* Join a local sports league. On the days your league doesn’t meet, train for your sport by doing drills, lifting weights, and getting in some cardio.
* Take Zumba, boot camp or kickboxing in the park.
* Go surfing.

Take Advantage of Your Kids!

If you have children, they’re probably a significant reason why you have life insurance in the first place. Why not use them to help you get in shape? They’ll keep you laughing while you exercise.

* Play Tag, Follow the Leader, or Hide-and-Seek with younger children.
* Play catch, shoot hoops, or kick a soccer ball with older children.
* Walk around the field at your children’s sports practices, and run to chase any stray balls.

Everyone can find an activity that they love as long as they keep searching for it. Keeping yourself in shape will give you more energy and can keep your life insurance rates down.

Life insurance policies can cost from a couple hundred to a few thousand dollars per year, and you may just think of them as another bill to pay. You may assume that you don’t need life insurance, but your assumption may be wrong. Read through to see why getting a life insurance policy might be a good idea for you.

Individuals Considering Having Children or With Children

If you are thinking about having children, it’s time to start thinking about a life insurance policy. Once you start paying the premiums, your children will be in line to receive the death benefits if you were to die. They are entirely dependent on you if you are the breadwinner in the household. Even if you feel invincible because you are young, nobody is immune to tragedy.  Plus, your premiums at a young age are lower than your premiums will be later in life.

Couples Without Children

If both couples are working and either could be self-sufficient if the other one’s income stopped coming in, a life insurance policy is not necessary. If a single income due to the passing of one spouse would cause severe financial hardship, you should probably consider purchasing a life insurance policy. That would allow your spouse to continue to work at his or her job while receiving the payouts from your policy should something happen to you.

Single Adults

This one may be surprising, but single adults without children may want to consider taking out a life insurance policy. The policy can pay for your funeral costs should something happen to you. A policy can also provide for your dependents if you are taking care of an elderly parent or another person that relies on your financial contributions.

Retired Adults

You probably don’t need a life insurance policy if you are not working and nobody is depending on your income to stay financially secure. You might need one if you have dependents.

Life insurance isn’t just for working individuals with dependents. It can give you security in other situations, too. Nobody wants an extra monthly bill, but life insurance may be worth the cost for you.

If you’re overweight, you may already have a few reasons for wanting to lose weight. You might want to shop in regular clothing stores, feel more attractive, and have more energy. Losing weight can improve your health, too. As if these reasons weren’t enough motivation to lose weight, the effects of obesity on your life insurance policy can also inspire you to lose a few pounds.

Why Obesity Affects Life Insurance Rates

Life insurance is based on your risk of dying. Obesity can drive up your life insurance rates and affect your policy category because the extra pounds increase your risk for chronic conditions. These dangerous and potentially fatal conditions include the following.

* Heart disease.
* Type 2 diabetes.
* Gallbladder disease.
* Asthma.
* Sleep apnea.
* Liver disease.
* Stroke.

Are You Overweight?

Being as little as 10 pounds over your ideal weight increases your health risks, making life insurance more expensive and keeping you out of a preferred policy. About two-third of American adults are overweight or obese, and you can find out whether you are overweight or obese using a BMI calculator. Just enter your height and weight. If your BMI is over 30, you are considered obese.

Make Modest Lifestyle Changes to Lose Weight

Crash diets are not fun and they don’t work. For lasting weight loss, think about small changes that you can make throughout the day to eat fewer calories and exercise a little more.

* Grab fruit instead of cookies for dessert.
* Have raw cut vegetables for a crunchy snack instead of potato chips.
* Serve yourself smaller portions.
* Drink water instead of soda.
* Go for a walk after dinner.
* Choose lean meats and cut skin off of chicken before cooking it.

These small changes can help you lose weight and get healthier. You’ll feel better and look better, and you may be rewarded with lower life insurance rates!

Proper oral care does more than give you a smile you’re proud to show off. They also improve your overall health. Research has found that chronic inflammation caused by gum disease is linked to heart disease and strokes. Implement six tips into your oral care regimen as you protect your teeth and create a healthy smile.

1. Eat a Healthy Diet

A diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains does more than fuel your body. It also strengthens your tooth enamel. Ensure all your meals include healthy elements, and limit sweets and soda as you keep your mouth healthy.

2. Drink Plenty of Water

Residue on your teeth wears away enamel and can cause plaque growth. If it’s not removed, plaque turns into tartar and causes gingivitis. Drink plenty of water to wash away food residue and improve your oral health.

3. Floss Every Day

Dental floss removes food and bacteria from between your teeth. Bacteria can cause swollen and bleeding gums, two signs of gingivitis. Spend a few minutes once a day flossing carefully between all your teeth as you protect your smile.

4. Brush Regularly

A soft tooth brush and low-abrasion toothpaste removes food residue without damaging your tooth enamel. Prioritize teeth brushing after every meal. To do it right, brush for at least two minutes and be sure to reach all surfaces of every tooth.

5. Invest in Mouthwash

More than a breath freshener, antibacterial mouthwash also removes bacteria from your mouth. It should be an essential part of your daily oral care routine.

6. Schedule Dental Appointments

Dentists are able to identify early signs of enamel deterioration, gum disease and other oral hygiene issues. Schedule a dental cleaning and exam every six months, and follow your dentist’s advice about proper oral care, too.

Your healthy smile starts with healthy teeth. Dental insurance and following six tips help you protect your teeth, keep your smile healthy and say cheese.

You already cook meat on the grill. Why not add fruits and veggies? They help you boost your summer nutrition and taste delicious.

Choose Fresh Produce

Whether you decide to grill pineapple, watermelon, corn or asparagus, make sure it’s fresh. Ideally, the produce you grill should be firm and picked within the past three days.

Brush on the Oil

You’ll want to stock quality canola, olive or coconut oil in your pantry before you grill produce. It adds extra flavor to your grilled produce and a light coating works together with foil packets or a non-stick grate to ensure the fruits and veggies don’t stick to the grill.

Mix a Few Marinades

In addition to the oil, prepare a few marinades. Olive oil infused with herbs, raspberries, mint or other flavorings, honey and low-fat or Greek yogurt enhance the taste of your grilled produce.

Leave the Skin On

The skin of many fruits and veggies contains healthy nutrients. So, leave veggie skins on when you grill them and maximize the nutrient content of the grilled veggies you eat. Most fruits, however, grill better without the skin.

Pre-Cook Some Veggies

Certain veggies cook more evenly on the grill when you pre-cook them in the kitchen. To prep asparagus, beets, broccoli, parsnips, potatoes, squash and carrots for grilling, steam or blanch them until they’re al dente. Alternatively, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, peppers, mushrooms, onions and eggplant will cook evenly when you grill them raw.

Use the Right Temperature

When you cook fruits and veggies over moderately hot coals, the outside could cook faster than the inside. You’ll want to rotate the produce between direct and indirect heat so that each piece cooks evenly and completely.

Whether you cook for one or 100, prepare fruits and veggies on the grill and enjoy a summer nutrition boost. They help you stay healthy, and you’ll feel good knowing that you’re helping your family and friends stay healthy, too.

Most people have experienced the pain of too much sun. Not only does overexposure to sun cause your skin to age prematurely and wrinkle, but it can also cause sunburn, sun stroke and skin cancer. Avoid sunburn and all its painful side effects when you follow four tips.

1. Use sunscreen.

*Sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor, or SPF, of 15 or higher will protect your skin.
*Look for sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection or a broad spectrum protectant. UVA rays cause skin aging and skin cancer. UVB rays cause sunburn and skin cancer.
*Remember to apply sunscreen to all your exposed skin, including ears, elbows, scalp and the backs of your knees and the tops of your feet.
*Reapply sunscreen every two hours.
*Use waterproof sunscreen if you plan to swim. It provides 80 minutes of protection as you swim while water resistant sunscreen only stays on for 40 minutes. Remember to reapply waterproof varieties after you get out of the pool or ocean and dry off.

2. Stay indoors when the sun shines its brightest. Typically, those hours fall between 10 AM and 4 PM. If you have to be outside, look for shade or wear a cover-up.

3. Cover your skin. A hat, scarf, sunglasses and lightweight, breathable long sleeve shirt and pants protect your skin when you need to work or play outdoors on sunny days. A large umbrella, tree or other shade can also provide the protective cover you need.

4. Don’t sunbathe. Lying in the sun or a tanning bed and purposely trying to get a tan causes damage to your skin. Instead, be safe when you avoid intentional tanning and remain thankful for your skin color.

Even with these four tips, you might find yourself overexposed to sun. Your doctor can offer soothing medication, evaluate your skin health and provide additional information that helps you avoid sunburn and all its painful side effects in the future.

Before you leave the country on your summer vacation, check your health insurance policy. Why? Because your current health insurance might not cover medical treatment, emergency evacuations or medicine when you cross the border. Learn about your options to ensure you have the health coverage you need.

Decide What Medical Needs You Have

The length of your vacation, your destination, pre-existing conditions and your itinerary affect the type of medical coverage you need. Use this information to determine exactly what type of coverage you must obtain.

Talk to Your Current Insurance Provider

Most health insurance providers don’t cover medical treatment abroad, but yours might include limited coverage for certain locations or types of medical care. Always ask your agent exactly what’s covered in your existing policy before you spend money on a brand new one.

Check With Your Travel Agent

Your professional travel agent can look over your destination and itinerary to determine what type of coverage you may need. Then, he or she can recommend reputable insurance companies.

Search the U.S. Department of State Website

Find reputable insurance companies that offer international health coverage when you visit the U.S. Department of State website. Here, you’ll also find resources that help you stay healthy no matter where you travel.

Purchase from an Established Insurance Company

For your safety, only purchase health insurance from an established and reputable company. It should offer 24-hour customer support, guarantee payments abroad and pay directly to foreign doctors and hospitals.

Know Exactly What You’re Buying

Exact coverage types and amounts, deductibles, exemptions and policy cost are all important factors to consider as you compare health insurance policies. Read your policy carefully, ask your agent questions and be sure you completely understand the policy before you buy it.

With the right health insurance, your medical treatment is covered as you vacation abroad. Find the right policy for you when you talk to your agent and examine your options before you take off.

At a cost of $100 to $250 per hour, professional therapy isn’t cheap. That’s why you may not seek the mental health counseling you or a loved one need. However, eight tips help you afford this important therapy.

1. Check your insurance policy.

Your health insurance policy might include coverage for therapy and medication. Check your policy to find providers in your network. Even if you have a copay for therapy appointments or medication, the majority of the total cost may be covered by your insurance.

2. Visit a community medical clinic.

Free or low-cost clinics in your community can be an affordable way to get therapy. Find a clinic when you contact the Department of Human Services. Then, call the clinic’s office manager to discuss their services.

3. Ask for discounts.

When you call mental health professionals, ask about available discounts. They may offer discounts for cash payments, low-income clients or group sessions.

4. Meet for phone rather than in-person sessions.

Typically, therapists charge less for phone sessions with clients. This option helps you save on transportation costs, too.

5. Listen to podcasts.

Take advantage of the variety of resources found online. Listen to podcasts, view videos and watch TED talks as you gather information from world-renowned psychologists, psychiatrists and counselors.

6. Join a support group.

In a support group, gain knowledge, support and help from others. Your best options are led by a professional moderator.

7. Attend a training clinic.

When graduate students train at clinics under licensed psychologists, you benefit. Attend the clinic as a patient and pay based on your income.

8. Ask for medication samples.

Cheaper than prescriptions, medication samples help you make ends meet while taking essential medication.

No matter what your income level, do not neglect the mental health treatment you need. Eight tips help you afford this important treatment for you or your loved one.