Dr Mike has prepared a highly detailed series of articles, news stories and informed opinions aimed at providing anti-aging health tips and programs for any interested individual. With the use of his key steps and tips toward preserving the mind and body as a patient grows older, Dr Mike’s wellness coaching on anti-aging health is perfectly suited to any individual interested in entering old age with health and grace.

The approach taken toward anti-aging health by Dr Mike is one that promotes an increase in overall health and wellness understanding. There are no “miracle cures” proffered by the various tips and guidelines Dr Mike advocates, but rather a series of educational opportunities that can lead to a body and mind’s improved response to the aging process. Dr Mike’s Wellness Blog is devoted to exploring the field of anti-aging health and sharing new information with every reader of the blog, allowing them to easily improve both knowledge and general health alike.

Dr Mike’s Wellness Blog regularly updates its anti-aging health section with the latest information and news on the subject. Readers are frequently provided with up-to-date and cutting-edge breakthroughs in the science of anti-aging health while simultaneously being presented with the tools they require to grow old in good health. This one-stop resource is packed with useful information that assists individuals in learning about proper wellness and health maintenance as the field itself advances. Consistent updates and discussion regarding the medical community’s theories on anti-aging health bring professional medical debate and tips on anti-aging health to the average reader, allowing anyone to increase their education and learn vital methods to help in protecting themselves from negative effects associated with advancing years.

Articles including anti-aging health topics as diverse as stress management and the relationship between free radicals and antioxidants present readers with an in-depth look at invaluable information. The wide array of subjects presented by the anti-aging health section of Dr Mike’s Wellness Blog give readers a chance to easily enter into the wellness category, learning tips for themselves and allowing for a continuing education on the topic as doctors and researchers advance our understanding of anti-aging health.

Visit Dr Mike’s Wellness Blog today to begin reading through the archives of anti-aging health and wellness articles. Dr Mike has committed much of his work toward this aspect of physical and mental health, resulting in a series of educational tools that will greatly increase any individual’s base of knowledge. The advice and discussion presented at Dr Mike’s Wellness Blog gives readers an unparalleled level of access to the subject matter, allowing for a thorough understanding of the steps that can be safely taken to ensure their own anti-aging health.

Whether old or young, everybody should possess some knowledge regarding topics concerning anti-aging health in order to drastically improve their health, education and lives. Begin increasing your awareness and anti-aging education today by logging onto Dr Mike’s Wellness Blog and browsing the superb collection of anti-aging health articles and news stories. For more information, visit DrMikeWellness.

Worry

Worry is a protracted or recurrent act of the mind, which always fails to result in a constructive solution of the question and usually ends in confusion, fatigue, and emotional instability. You can concern yourself about an important problem, if this means merely a careful consideration in an orderly manner, leading eventually to an acceptable conclusion. Even when the conclusion happens to be contrary to your wishes, it may be accepted as a conclusion and thus worry can be avoided. Such an effort is constructive, whereas worry is always destructive.

The ordinary dictionaries describe worry as feeling or expressing a great deal of care and anxiety, manifesting unrest or pain, fretting, chafing, being anxious or fearful. Since all of these reactions are undesirable from the point of view of their effects on the body, worry is a most undesirable characteristic.

Many people insist that they never worry. These are the people who have learned to reason themselves out of anxiety over situations in which they find themselves. The process is known as “rationalizing.” Other people developmental tranquility or peace of mind by accepting a belief which eliminates from consideration anything displeasing to them. Such a process is not rationalizing, but may achieve the same effect if the person can shut out completely any problem that disturbs him. Most people find peace of mind necessary if they are to accomplish their responsibilities in the business world or in the home.  If one does not have such peace of mind there is a constant feeling of insecurity, a constant fear of a threat to life itself or to the life situation of the person concerned. As a result, energy is squandered and the reserve of the nervous system is exhausted, so that the person becomes tired, worn, distressed and may have what is commonly called a nervous breakdown.

When worry appears to this extent, the effects manifest themselves on different portions of the body. If the worry is related to the heart the person feels palpitations, extra and light beats of the heart, and similar manifestations; such a person may focus attention unduly on the pulse or the blood pressure or some other factor related to the circulation. If the nervous condition brings the focus of attention on the stomach and ~ bowels there may be constipation, diarrhea, or other manifestations even more serious.

Many a person endeavors to escape from worry by fleeing into an addiction to drink, to drugs, to sedatives, to gambling, or to other practices that are known to be against the best interests of humanity. The escape is only temporary, and the trouble returns just as soon as the liquor or the drugs have worn off. There is no doubt that a restful night’s sleep, a vacation, indulgence in outdoor sports, or even the theater or the movies may be utilized to better advantage as means of
escape from the reality of worry.

Emotional Disturbances

Most people have minor emotional disturbances that are not recognized but, because of their effects on the general health, have medical significance. Many people in industry, in labor, and in public life get along, although they suffer at all times with difficulties of adjustment to  their environment. An analysis of the people who come to doctors’ offices .revealed that from 30 to 60 per cent come as patients primarily because of complaints due to emotional disorders, which are reflected as physical disorders. Treatment is not fully satisfactory unless it takes care of the mental as well as the physical factors.

Our population has become an aging population. People live much longer than was common fifty years ago. As people get older they tend to develop more emotional experiences, and this has greatly multiplied the need of psychiatric help. According to the available figures one out of every twenty people will need advice or guidance from an expert for severe emotional illness at some time during his lifetime. This is indicated by the fact that more than one half of all the veterans in veterans’ hospitals are psychiatric patients. Thirty-seven per cent of releases from the army for medical reasons were for psychiatric disorders. A total of 51 per cent of all medical separations from the military service were due to personality disturbances. In addition, people who are mentally disturbed constitute about one-half of all of the patients in hospitals in the United States.

While modem medicine has much knowledge of psychiatric conditions, far more still remains unknown than is actually known. Methods of treatment developed in recent years include the successful use of the tranquilizing drugs (see below), electric shock, psychoanalysis, the use of occupational and recreational therapy. Since the number of competent experts capable of treating such patients is insufficient, study is now being made of the treatment of mentally ill patients in groups. This is called group psychotherapy.

Mental Hygiene In Business

Suitable adjustment of workers to their surroundings is important in establishing a smooth-running condition in any business or industry. Ask the average business man if he needs a psychiatrist in his business, and he will think you are mentally disturbed. Psychiatrists, most people believe, spend practically all of their time finding people who need to be confined in institutions because they are wholly irresponsible.

Most large industries have employment interviewers, who have knowledge of the positions to be filled, of the persons in the department, and, therefore, of the kind of employee who will fit best and serve most satisfactorily under the circumstances. Most employment interviewers can recognize easily a prospective employee who is so far “off the beaten path” from a mental point of view as to be unsatisfactory for any job. No one suggests that employment interviewers should be replaced by psychiatrists or psychologists. What a businessman wants is a worker who can respond to the particular problems and procedures of the job for which he is employed. The boss seldom wants to be troubled about the general personality of an employee or the question of how he gets along with his wife. Nevertheless, that very situation may be important in relation to the quality or amount of work. Problems may arise which are due to it neurosis or psychosis in some employee whose mental condition has not been recognized.

Mental hygienists are convinced that training ought to be made available to employment managers or to the workers in the personnel divisions of industries. Workers are frequently transferred into personnel departments because they appear to be able to get along well with other people -but  sometimes because they are hard and skeptical. Generally they work out their own techniques, whether for the handling of personal problems or for the selection of new employees.

Already there are plenty of reports of instances in which employees who failed to respond acceptably to their executives were given scientific study and thus saved for the organization. We have learned how to modify the attitudes of parents and to improve their relationships with their children. Similar tactics are needed for executive businessmen to improve their relationships with their employees.

Mental Defect

Among the great unsolved problems of modem medicine are many of those associated with mental disease. People still fear the sudden appearance of the “loss of the mind”, or the birth of a child apparently without normal mental ability. Over 3,000,000 children are born in this country every year. Actually from 150,000 to 200,000 of those born will eventually be committed to hospitals for mental disease.

Much can be done to prevent or overcome many of the conditions that disturb the mind. With modem methods of treatment, improvement can even be secured in certain forms of complete mental breakdown. Problems of mental defect and of mental diseases are not only approached by putting the patients in institutions but also by applying some of these new forms of treatment.

Parents, teachers, and those organizations concerned with the supervision of children must realize the importance of recognizing strange behavior at the earliest possible moment. Children who are mentally retarded or who are slow in their mental development should be submitted to expert advice as soon as possible. These children will be brought into social and economic competition, and the contrast with normal children, coupled with pressure from forces behind them at home and even from their association with competitors, may result in a reaction and in the formation of attitudes which lead to permanent disturbances. There are many causes of mental breakdown and many classifications of mental disturbance. Research has been intensified on dementia praecox, in which the so-called insulin shock, metrazol shock, and electric shock treatments are being tried. Modem medicine also offers new forms of study, including analysis of the mental processes, leading to recognition of the underlying factors in mental disturbances.

The wise man need not fear such a catastrophe. He should know that scientific methods of diagnosis and treatment are now available.

The origin of the pug predates Christ

These days anyone who knows dog breeds knows that the Pug has its origins in China, at least 400BC. Some scholars date this prized possession of the Emperors as far back as 700BC. Treasures, like pearls, jade, rare animals or dogs were considered imperial property. There were three types of short nosed dogs that were bred by the Chinese. The three dogs that were always protected by the guards were the Lion Dog, the Pekingese, and the Lo-sze or “Foo Dog,” the name for the ancient Pug. Anyone caught abusing or trying to steal them would pay with their life.

When the trade routes opened up, the “Foo” became a prize for the Dutch. From Holland this adorable little dog made its way to England. That is where the more refined Pug that is bred today got its beginnings. Monarchs and royalty throughout Europe, even to this day, considered the Pug one of their favorite breeds of dogs. It’s unmistakable features have graced many famous paintings. Most notably, the black Pug in  William Hogarth’s painting “House of Cards.” Hogarth owned many pugs and often used them as subjects in his paintings.

The pug was not recognized by the American Kennel Club until 1885, and until the turn of the century was a very popular breed. Its popularity waned, until in 1931 The Pug Dog Club of America was founded. The pug has enjoyed a some what steady growth since than. It is still one of the top choices for most discernable dog fanciers. Congratulations on your curiosity or love for this happy little breed, that indecently, has a different name depending what country you’re in. For example Mops in Germany and Holland, Mopsi in Finland, Carline in France, and Doguillo in Spain, just to name a few.    

Puggles

Mixing Of breeds
Are we messing with thousands of years of history? If you have a mix pug that is for you to decide. Puggles are the result of mixing a pug with a beagle. A Chinese Snoopy? If you choose to get involved with, and nurture a relationship with this mix, there are a few things you should know first. Remember, these are two very distinct breeds of dog. The pug has become a lap or companion dog. The beagle is still listed as a hunting dog. Besides there are health issues you will have to deal with. Because this is piece on pugs I will touch on their heath in greater detail. As for beagles, The Beagle web site lists 97 health problems, including epilepsy and severe eye problems. Pugs share in these last to affections, as well as a host of others.

General Health Information

Pugs Are A Healthy Breed
Keep in mind that your vet is the only real source of any health issues your dog might face. However, if you a considering or perhaps just got a pug, there are a few things you should know. As already stated, pugs tend to be quite healthy. Perhaps the most common problem is obesity. Given the chance your pug will eat until it bursts, and than give that look of being starved. You should base its eating habits on its size and not its appetite. That cute pushed in face can cause breathing problems, especially in high heat and humidity. These are the common health concerns. I am sure that your vet will fill you in on what to expect as your pet grows older.

Should You Train Your Pug?

Pugs tend to be stubborn and mischievous, so the answer is yes. If you have spent any time on the internet you know there is not much information on pug training. In fact, there are not a lot of trainers who specialize in pugs. Well I am here to tell you that my pain staking research will save you money, time, and frustration. I Found The Only Complete Pugs Guide Package Available On The Internet. Obviously I can’t go into great detail, but I can give you a taste of what you can accomplish on your own, with the help of one simple to follow guide.

1. What are the key essentials things I need to know about pug dogs before I start owning one?

2. How to make my pug dog obedient, lively and stay healthy to bring comfort and pleasant to my home, before my pug puppy acquires bad habits that’s difficult to break?

3. How could I understand pugs’ behaviors so that I could create a loving and bonding relationship with my pug?

For this and other help with your dog or cat, like completely eradicating fleas, please check out Pet Lovers at: My RecomMANNdations

Pug Dog Club of America www.pub.org will also be a good source for more general information.

Acai berry – a small berry found in the Rain forests of Amazon has captured the minds of many researches and has recently become the hottest diet around. The reason for these is its unbelievable nutrition. It contains healthy omega fats and fatty acids, several minerals and vitamins, is rich in fiber and protein and on top of that it is one of the strongest antioxidants around – stronger than blueberry and red wine. And while the research on acai berry health benefits is still on going, the tests that have been done indicate that you simply can’t afford to not include it in your diet.

Whether you want to improve your general health or to accomplish a specific task, such as losing weight for example, it seems that acai berries have some kind of benefit for everyone. I will be honest, as I discover more information about acai berries in my research I am sometimes blown away by the number of health benefits these small berries seem to posses.

The vitamins and minerals are self explanatory – providing your body with minerals and vitamins from a natural food source is always great. The fiber contained in the berries helps you cleanse your colon – which has numerous health benefits associated with it. Omega fats are good for your cardiovascular system and heart. While antioxidants are linked to a number of benefits ranging from slowing down aging process to fighting free radicals in your body and flushing toxins. Flushing toxins is actually much more significant than it may sound. It improves general health, makes you feel better, increases energy levels and even results in a small amount of weight loss.

With such an array of health benefits acai berry should truly be a part of everyone’s diet. And now you can easily add it to your diet by ordering a free trial of acai berry, and with benefits like this adding it to your diet is simply a no brainer.

Weight control through health is becoming more routine these days as more and more people are now into watching their weight because of the risks that obesity brings to their general health and fitness. One of the most common forms of determining health through weight control is dieting.

What you need to know about diet and dieting

Studies shows that the most commonplace object of dieting is for an individual to lose excess body fat. But, there are also kinds of diets that are prescribed in order to achieve a particular medical objective while some dieting are actually designed and prescribed to increase body fat or add up to muscle weight gain.

Tips for managing weight

Weight control through health is reached once a person learns how to manage or control his or her weight. This is because a controlled weight simply means that one is able to eat well-balanced meals, healthy foods.

The following are some of the modes that can help you to achieve health through weight control

1. Drink lots of fluids, particularly water. Dehydration causes you lose appetite and can make you lose too much weight which can be bad to your overall health. In order to prevent dehydration, a person is advised to drink lots of fluid, particularly water.

2. Don’t rush when eating. Taking your time while eating can help you relish the food’s flavours easier and also helps your body to adjust to the food eaten. Once the full signal is transmitted to your brain, you can now eat smaller amounts of food.

3. Eat more during the day and eat less at night. To accomplish optimum health and fitness, it is best if you develop the practice of eating bigger meals during the daytime allowing you plenty of time to burn calories. At night you should eat smaller meals so you can balance the body’s metabolism.

You can achieve weight control through health but you have to take certain things into account. You also need to make sure that you do have adequate food to uphold you general health.

Young people have mental, emotional, and behavioral problems that are real, painful, and costly. They are sources of stress for children and their families, schools and communities.

The number of young people and their families who are affected by mental, emotional and behavioral disorders is significant. As many as one in five children and adolescents may have a mental health disorder that requires treatment.

Mental health disorders in children and adolescents are caused by biology, environment or a combination. Examples of biological factors are genetics, chemical imbalances and damage to the central nervous system, such as a head injury.

Environmental factors also can affect a childs mental health, including exposure to violence, extreme stress and the loss of an important person. A broad range of services is often necessary to meet the needs of these young people.

The Problems

Below are descriptions of particular mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders that sometimes occur during childhood and adolescence. All can have a serious impact on your childs overall health.

Some are more common than others and seriousness can range from mild to severe. Sometimes, a child may have more than one disorder simultaneously.

Anxiety Disorders

Young people who experience excessive fear, worry or uneasiness may have an anxiety disorder. These disorders are among the most common emotional problems occurring during childhood.

According to one study, as many as 13 of every 100 young people from 9 to 17 years of age have an anxiety disorder. They include:

1. Phobias, which are unrealistic and overwhelming fears of objects or situations.

2. Generalized anxiety disorder, which causes children to demonstrate a pattern of excessive, unrealistic worry that cannot be attributed to any recent experience.

3. Panic disorder, which causes terrifying panic attacks that include symptoms, such as a rapid heartbeat and dizziness.

4. Obsessive-compulsive disorder, which causes children to become trapped in a pattern of repeated thoughts and behaviors, such as counting or hand washing.

5. Post-traumatic stress disorder, which causes a pattern of flashbacks and other symptoms. This occurs in children who have experienced a psychologically distressing event, such as abuse, being a victim or witness of violence or exposure to other types of trauma, such as wars or natural disasters.

Severe Depression

Experts agree that severe depression can occur at any age. Two of every 100 children may have major depression and as many as eight of every 100 teens may be affected, as well. This disorder is marked by changes in:

1. Emotions: Children often feel sad, cry, or feel worthless.

2. Motivation: Children lose interest in play activities or schoolwork quality declines.

3. Physical well-being: Children may experience changes in appetite or sleeping patterns and/or may have vague physical complaints.

4. Thoughts: Children believe they are ugly, unable to do anything right or that the world or life is hopeless.

It also is important to be aware that some children and adolescents with depression may not value their lives, which can put them at risk for suicide.

Bipolar Disorder

Children and adolescents who demonstrate exaggerated mood swings that range from extreme highs (hyperactivity or mania) to extreme lows (depression) may have bipolar disorder (sometimes called manic depression). Periods of moderate mood often occur in between the extreme highs and lows.

During manic phases, children or teens may talk nonstop, need very little sleep and show unusually poor judgment. At the low end of the mood swing, they experience severe depression.

Bipolar mood swings can recur throughout life. Adults with bipolar disorder (about one in 100) often experienced their first symptoms during their teenage years.

Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Young people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder are unable to focus their attention and are often impulsive and easily distracted. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder occurs in up to five of every 100 children.

Most kids with this disorder have great difficulty remaining still, taking turns and keeping quiet. Symptoms must be evident in at least two settings, such as home and school, in order for it to be diagnosed.

Learning Disorders

Difficulties that make it harder for kids to receive or express information could be a sign of a learning disorder. Learning disorders can show up as problems with spoken and written language, coordination, attention or self-control.

Conduct Disorder

Young people with conduct disorder usually have little concern for others and repeatedly violate their basic rights and the rules of society. It causes children and adolescents to act out their feelings or impulses in destructive ways.

The offenses these children and adolescents commit often grow more serious over time. Such offenses may include lying, stealing, aggressiveness, truancy, the setting of fires and vandalism. .

Eating Disorders

Children or adolescents who are intensely afraid of gaining weight and do not believe that they are underweight may have eating disorders. These disorders can also be life threatening.

Young people with anorexia nervosa, for example, have difficulty maintaining a minimum healthy body weight. Anorexia affects one in every 100 to 200 adolescent girls and a smaller number of boys.

Youngsters with bulimia nervosa feel compelled to binge (eat huge amounts of food in one sitting). After a binge, in order to prevent weight gain, they rid their bodies of the food by vomiting, abusing laxatives, taking enemas or exercising obsessively. Rates of bulimia vary from one to three of every 100 young people.

Autism

Children with autism, also called autistic disorder, have problems interacting and communicating with others. This disorder appears before the third birthday, causing children to act inappropriately, often repeating behaviors over long periods of time; some children bang their heads and rock, or spin objects.

Symptoms range in intensity from mild to severe. Children with autism may have a very limited awareness of others and are at increased risk for other mental disorders. It affects 10 to 12 of every 10,000 children.

Schizophrenia

Young people with schizophrenia have psychotic periods that may involve hallucinations, withdrawal from others and loss of contact with reality. Other symptoms include delusional or disordered thoughts and an inability to experience pleasure. It occurs in about five of every 1,000 children.

Treatment and Research: Sources of Hope

Now, more than ever, there is hope for young people with mental, emotional and behavioral disorders; most of the symptoms and distress associated with them can be alleviated with timely and appropriate treatment.

Researchers are working to gain new insights that will lead to better treatments and cures for these dysfunctions; innovative studies also are exploring new ways of delivering services to prevent and treat them.

Research efforts are expected to lead to more effective use of existing treatments, so children and their families can live happier, healthier and more fulfilling lives.

Article: Now more than at any other time, many people are alooking to have the best health possible. The result of this is that the health and fitness industries are raking in billions every year on herbal supplements, vitamins, fitness equipment, diets, etc.

Making a commitment to take care of your body, both internal and external, is probably one of the most important you’ll ever make so getting it “right fiirst time” is critical for your overall health.

Here are a few tips to help you discover ways to maintain a healthier lifestyle, and enjoy the best of health without spending a fortune.

Acupuncture
Acupuncture can be traced back more than 2,000 years. This  traditional treatment of many eastern countries is said to be beneficial by stimulating zones of the body, known as “Meridians” that have a direct relationship to internal organs, and the spirit. Practioners insert fine needles into the Meridians to promote natural healing, improve bodily functions and give your immune system a boost.
Therapeutic Massage
Therapeutic massage such as Aromatherapy aren’t there just to make you feel good!.
The benefits of therapeutic massage are many:

·    Pain reduction / elimination
·    Stress reduction / elimination
·    Improved circulation in the blood and lymphatic systems
·    Improved mechanical function

Are just a few of the benefits. Massage styles include Aromatherapy, Swedish, Sports and Reflexology.

Eat Well
We all know we should eat well, reduce fat, salt and sugar intake but eating well also means eating at the right times. Breakfast should never be missed! Later meals should be lighter and healthy, and eating just before bed is a definite no no.

The basic lessons about we learned as children about the four major food  groups (NOT coffee, burger, donuts and fries!!) still apply to us as adults if your are vegan or vegetarian you might consider a taking a B 12 supplement.

Supplements and Vitamins
Before buying and using vitamins and food supplements there are a couple of rules to follow.

Get advice from a reputable source
·    Buy from a reputable source

The following supplements and vitamins are reputed to be good for general health: Aloe Vera,  Grape seed extract, Glucosamine, and Selenium (said to be a powerful anti-viral supplement) . Vitamins E, C, B-12, Iron, Magnesium, and Calcium.

Kill Stress
Stress is not just a key contributor to poor health, it can prove fatal. Studies have found that stress can be linked to heart attacks, certain cancers, high blood pressure (can result in strokes) mood swings, depression, and broken relationships.

Sleep
If you aren’t sleeping well, you aren’t healthy! Consult your doc immediately. Sleep deprivation leads to stress (see above), an increase in the likelyhood of accidents at home, at work and on the road and reduced performance all round.

Laughter
When you laugh beneficial things happen to your body:

Your Heart becomes stronger
Blood presure is reduced
Muscles relax
Your Lungs becomes stronger
Stress is reduced;
Pain is forgotten
Immunity is boosted

And on top of all this you feel better in general. Enough said!

Stop Smoking
You already know the facts, it’s been rammed down your throat for years. So who am I to nag you?  

DISCLAIMER:
All health care planning should be made under the guidance of you physician  and/or other qulaified health practitioners. The content within only presents an overview and does not replace medical advice from a practicing physician. Further, the information in this articlel is provided “as is”and without warranties of any kind either express or implied. under any circumstances,including, but not limited to, negligence, neither shall any distributor of this informationbe liable for any special or consequential damages that result from the use of, or the inability to use, the information presented herein.

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SHORT TERM HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS

Who Needs Short Term Health Insurance Plans?

Having one offers you peace of mind and ease of pocket by giving you protection against large medical bills. If you ever require medical care, these companies will share the burden of the medical bills with you. It is almost a necessity now with the ever-increasing cost of medical care and medications.

However, there may be some instances in your life that you may be left without the protection of a health insurance. For examples:

If you have just completed your education, your student health insurance that would have provided you coverage previously may have ceased tobe effective. If you are currently unemployed and looking for a job, you may be without a medical coverage. If you have just resigned from your job which previously offered you a group health insurance, you will be left without any until you find another. If you are travelling to U.S. for a short period of time as an international student or as an employee, you may want onw to cover you during your stay.

The great news is there is a perfect solution to these instances that you are left with no health insurance protection – a short term health insurance.

How Long Is Short Term?

While most of these plans cover you from one to six months, there are those that offer you coverage for up to a year. The period basically depends on your stipulation. You can always renew your short term health insurance plans if you require coverage for a longer period. However, most of them do not run for more than a year.

Advantages of Short Term Plans

They do not require you to undergo physical examinations The application process is easier with lesser paperwork and effort than for a general health insurance. However some companies may charge you a nominal fee for processing your application. Your coverage becomes effective from the time the company gets your first premium, which can be within 24 hours of submitting the application for the insurance. They do cover you for accidents and sudden illnesses. Often you are allowed to visit doctors and medical facilities of your choice.

Disadvantages of Short Term Plans

They usually do not cover pre-existing health conditions (something you may have received treatment for within the past 5 years). They also do not cover routine medical care such as dental, optical and medical check-ups. They do not cover medical bills pertaining to pregnancy and childbirth. They do not guarantee renewals. So suppose you had taken a 3-month plan and you get into an accident on the 3rd month, the company will cover your costs only for the 3rd month. However, you may need on-going medical care during the 4th and 5th months. You are not covered by the insurance during the 4th and 5th months and there is no guarantee that you current company will renew your policy. If you want to go somewhere else for a short term insurance policy, they will also not cover your medical costs pertaining to the accident as it will be considered a pre-existing condition. People with pre-existing conditions may find it difficult to get a short term health insurance. If they do get one, it would probably be more costly.

While short term health insurance may prove to be useful to many, there are some people who would prefer a general one. One reason is because, they may not know the exact time-frame they require the short term coverage. Furthermore, for those looking for a job, there is also no guarantee that their new employee will provide group medical plans. Study your needs and situation carefully when deciding on a short term health insurance.

I want you to rate your own mental health.

Classifying your own mental condition is an almost impossible task, according to experts. But, it is a little easier if you go about it from the positive point of view – mental health rather than mental illness.

With the cooperation of The National Association For Mental Health, I have prepared a survey which could be of help to you in deciding whether or not you need help.

Your Feelings about Yourself: Yes / No

1. Do you get honest satisfaction from simple pleasures?

2. Do you have respect for yourself?

3. Can you take disappointment in stride?

4. Can you laugh at your own errors?

5. Do you feel capable of dealing with situations as they come your way?

6. Can you accept displays of your own emotions – fear, anger, jealousy, guilt, worry?

Your Feelings about Others: Yes / No

1. Do you have personal relationships that are satisfying and lasting?

2. Do you trust others and assume that others will trust you?

3. Do you respect people who differ from you?

4. Do you refuse to be pushed around and refuse satisfaction from it?

5. Can you feel you are a part of a group?

6. Are you able to love somebody?

Your Feelings about Life: Yes / No

1. Do you accept as much responsibility as comes your way?

2. Do you plan ahead without fear of the future?

3. Do you welcome new ideas and experiences?

4. Do you put your best effort into what you do and get satisfaction from it?

5. Do you make your own decisions?

6. Do you deal with your problems as they arise?

7. Do you shape your environment whenever possible and adjust to it whenever necessary?

8. Do you set realistic goals for yourself?

9. Do you feel you are making use of your natural capacities?

If you score a perfect mark – you can assume that you are the lucky possessor of a balanced personality, a mentally healthy one. Just a few NO’s may be regarded as normal. But if too many of your answers are NO – five or more – the chances are that some degree of help is needed. More help than a simple book can give you.

Persons who feel that self analysis is not enough, should contact their local branch of The National Association For Mental Health for information as to where help is available. Other places which may be contacted for information are: the state affiliate of the American Psychiatric Association, family service agencies, state or county health departments, your own general practitioner.

You may also find that there is available in your community one of the growing number of mental health clinics.

Mental health issues that are caused by stress can range from homicidal or other violent acts towards oneself or drive others to addictions. The range of mental health disorders that are stress related is so broad that it can be difficult to understand how two situations fall in the same category. The days of shock therapy are gone for the most part, but it still is used for certain mental illnesses. Gone, too, is the routine procedure of frontal lobotomies to calm patients into total submissiveness.

A large key to dealing with stress related mental health issues is to know how to relieve stress. We now understand that men who are returning from wars endure thoughts and images that affect them in ways that we have only begun to be aware of. Post traumatic stress disorder which is caused by stress can affect victims of abuse and violence of all types. Only recently have we begun to understand how traumatic events can affect the people who survive them.

Despite the many types of mental health disorders that currently exist because of stress, some of them tend to be much more common than others. Mental health disorders are not discriminatory and affect everyone. They do not choose specific people or races to affect. Mental health disorders are equal opportunity problems. These disorders have been proven to be hereditary in some cases but that is the closest generalization that you can expect.

A very common mental illness that is caused by stress is manic/chronic depressive disorder. This is characterized by extreme highs and lows in moods for no apparent reason. Sufferers are irrational and quick to change, in terms of mood. For example, if you suffer from this disorder you are happy—very happy or sad—very sad for no apparent reason. Stress is a major cause of this problem.

Eating disorders, which are also quite common, include anorexia (not eating), and bulimia (binging and purging) are also caused by stress that arises from self esteem. Anxiety disorders are characterized by having an irrational dread of living one’s life, to the point where it is incapacitating.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a form of anxiety disorder where a person obsesses (thinks about) and is compulsive (does) about a particular action such as washing their hands, to the point where he or she repeats this action an inordinate amount of times. Stress is a major aspect of our lives and can lead to serious mental problems if not taken under control. Learning to contain stress can lead to your overall health.