Health

3 Stress Reducing Steps You Can Take Today

Published

2 years ago

January 16, 2022

Stress is something that virtually everyone deals with in today’s world. We’re all under huge amounts of pressure from work, our families, and other responsibilities. Sometimes, it’s easy to feel the strain piling on top of you, particularly after a few difficult days. Though stress is a common experience, it can also be very dangerous, increasing your chances of various health conditions, from heart disease to stroke.

While you might not be able to prevent yourself from ever feeling the impact of stress, there are things you can do to reduce your exposure to this experience which might have a positive impact on your life. Today, we’re going to look at just some of the steps you can take to reduce stress in your life on a daily basis. These steps are simple, convenient, and applicable to almost anyone.

Know Your Priorities

More often than not, we feel excess stress because we don’t have our priorities in check. We hold ourselves to the standards of other people, focusing on things like working extra hours at work because it makes our boss happy, or doing things for friends because we feel like we’re obliged to do so. However, you should be thinking about yourself occasionally too. Take a moment to think about what matters most to you in your day-to-day life, and whether you’re giving it enough attention. If not, it might be time to start scheduling time for the things that matter most to you into your days. This may involve saying no to people at times too.

Get the Right Insurance

While paying for insurance can be a pain, actually having the right coverage can save you a lot of headaches and stress. Knowing your protected when disaster strikes is crucial, whether you’re looking at health insurance, home insurance, or life insurance. Life insurance is perhaps the most important investment you can make when you’re looking out for your family and loved ones. Make sure you take the time to consider your options carefully, including looking at things like whether you might be able to sell your life insurance policy in the future. You can read guides about how to sell your life insurance policy online if you’re looking for a convenient way to access extra cash when you need it most.

Look After Your Sleep

Finally, this might be the most obvious tip we have to share today, but it’s also one of the most important. This is one of the best tips for managing stress and you’ll find your life is much easier if you’re not constantly dealing with sleep deprivation and exhaustion. Lack of sleep not only damages your physical health, but it also seriously influences your mental health too, making it hard to focus each day.

Committing to a regular schedule of sleep, usually between 7 and 9 hours per night, should ensure you can look after yourself more effectively each day. If you have trouble sleeping, a schedule where you set aside time for relaxation and winding down each night should help. With these three tips, you should be able to take some crucial steps towards a lower overall stress level and a happier life.

Health

9 Simple Steps to Dealing with a Broken Tooth

Published

2 months ago

February 14, 2024

Michelle Langton

Credit: freepik via Freepik

It’s movie night, and you have an obligatory bowlful of popcorn balancing on your lap. You toss a handful of popcorn and — crack — you unknowingly bite down on a kernel with the full power of your jaw.

Lightning strikes your mouth as you realize this humble kernel broke your tooth.

Now what?

Besides pausing the movie and spitting out your mouthful of popcorn and tooth, you might not know your next steps.

What should you do, and how can you pay for it? Find the answers to these questions and more below:

1. Save the Pieces

If possible, save any broken pieces of the tooth. Your dentist might need these pieces.

2. Rinse Your Mouth

Gently rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area. Avoid using hot or cold water, as it might aggravate any exposed nerves.

3. Control Bleeding

If you bleed, apply gentle pressure to the area with a clean cloth or gauze. You can also use a cold compress on your jaw or cheek to reduce swelling.

4. Contact Your Dentist

Reach out to your dentist immediately. Explain the situation and try to schedule an emergency appointment. Many dentists reserve slots for urgent cases. If they don’t have a spot available, look at specialty emergency clinics in your area.

5. Get Over-the-Counter Pain Relief

Broken and chipped teeth can hurt, so take some over-the-counter pain relievers to help manage this pain until you can see your dentist.

6. Check Insurance Coverage

Review your dental insurance policy to understand coverage details. Some policies may cover emergency procedures, while others may have limitations.

7. Discuss Payment Options

If cost is a concern, discuss financing options with your dentist. Some dental offices offer flexible arrangements that give you a break. If you qualify for these plans, you might be able to push out your due date to coincide with your payday. You may even be able to break up your total outstanding amount over several payments.

8. Take out a Personal Loan

If you’re just shy of what you need to cover your emergency dental expense, consider going online to scope out personal loans. A personal loan may fill in for savings in urgent situations. You can quickly visit a website like MoneyKey to see what you need to apply. If approved, a personal loan gives you the means to pay for your visit upfront and pay off what you owe over time.

9. Consider Urgent Care Clinics

If your financial situation is such that you can’t afford a personal loan’s payments, reconsider your choice of dentist. Some dental practices apply a sliding scale to their services so that they can provide immediate care at a lower cost for at-risk individuals.

Next Steps: Thinking About the Future

So, you’ve managed to repair your tooth and pay the bill, too. What’s next? Make sure you hit these three goals soon. They can help you prevent another broken tooth in the future!

Stay on Top of Dental Hygiene: Brush at least twice a day and floss once a day — these simple habits can protect your teeth over time.
Schedule Regular Checkups: Keeping up with regular cleanings can also help you prevent future dental emergencies.
Build an Emergency Fund: Sometimes, accidents happen. Consider building an emergency fund specifically for unexpected dental emergencies.