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Hot Topic: Do I Need Travel Insurance?

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

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To an average person, this isn’t a topic which keeps them up at night. To a traveler, it’s enough to make or break the trip. You see, conventional wisdom says every person who goes abroad needs coverage. However, travel insurance policies are pricey, and travelers only have a small budget. Plus, the majority of individuals who travel never visit a hospital. It seems like a lot of money to waste, but is it worth the risk? After all, should the worst happen, a policy becomes a lifesaver.

Here’s how to find out whether you need insurance or not. 

What Are The Laws Of The Country?

People from countries such as America are surprised when they go to Britain and the healthcare is free. But, to Brits, a NHS-style system is the norm. The moral of the story is that every country is unique and has different rules. Cnn.com says there are places with universal health care, such as Germany and France, where treatment is free. In this case, there is no reason to splash out on a policy. However, a place such as the US requires you to have an insurance plan by law if you want treatment. Before you set off, make sure you understand the fine print.

Is There A Special Arrangement? 

Politics is a funny game. At the moment, with Trump and Brexit, it seems as if the politicians have lost their minds. The truth is they try to do the best for their constituents wherever possible. As such, there are arrangements with foreign countries which cover health care and other vital areas for non-nationals. Take Europe as an example. Any European citizen whose country is part of the EU is liable for treatment within the block. Again, if this is the case for you, a private plan is not a sound investment.

 

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Will It Cost More Or Less?

Travelers think that an insurance policy is bound to cost the more, but it isn’t always the case. Let’s say you need protection. A single policy, such as a travel plan, is cheaper than three or four different plans. By searching healthinsurancequotes.co you can see how the cost of healthcare alone fluctuates. With extras such as contents insurance and airline coverage, the price will skyrocket. At least all of the major features are included in travel insurance, and that keeps the cost low. When a policy is cheaper, it is well worth the investment.

What Are The Odds?

People will say travel insurance is essential regardless. Why? It’s because the odds of something going wrong are high. Are you flying with an airline which has punctuality problems? Or, are you going to a country where there is a high risk of injury? If the answer to these questions is yes, then travel insurance is a savvy investment. So, before you jet set to Florida or hit up Asia, think about your itinerary. If there is a high percentage of danger in any sense, you need a contingency plan.  

Do you need travel insurance? Only you can answer that question.

 

Into The Wild In The Modern Age: The Importance Of Keeping Lines Of Communication Open

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

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Ever since the release of Cheryl Strayed’s ‘Wild,’ many of us have fancied an isolated camping trip. Strayed’s fallout in the face of mourning for her mother was heartbreaking, and her subsequent time on the Pacific Crest Trail turned her life around.

It’s no wonder, then, that many of us decide to follow a similar path whenever life gets us down. And, Cheryl wasn’t the first person to start this trend. There’s something cleansing about the idea of spending time alone in the wild. Sometimes, it seems like the best and only way to hit the reset button.

But, far from the romantic depictions in literature, it’s important to consider the practicalities of such an experience. While a completely isolated camping trip will work wonders for your soul, there are clear downfalls. For one, it’s not always safe. There are so many risks in the world today that our loved ones are sure to want to stay in touch. Plus, complete isolation is such a rarity in the modern age that you may find it harder that you’re anticipating. So, small levels of communication could actually help, rather than hinder, your experience.

But, how do can you insert communication into your trip without ruining the process?

Write letters

Your first port of call should be letter writing. Sending letters as you go is sure to ease the loneliness. It’ll also put your loved one’s minds at rest. Plus, letter writing can be incredibly therapeutic. During face to face/phone conversations, we rarely stop and think about what we’re saying. But, when writing a letter, you have to think about every word. You have time to consider each before committing them to paper. Hence, you may find communication like this helps you come to terms with more demons.

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Why not use wifi?

Wifi may not be what you had in mind, but inviting it into your trip could make all the difference. As long as you set boundaries, there’s no reason this needs to have any impact on your journey. Of course, wifi in the middle of nowhere isn’t easy to come by. But, you’re sure to pass through towns on your route with free wifi hotspots. Make the most of these by posting pictures of your trip on Instagram. You could even send postcards via app services like those offered by My Postcard. This is a fast way to update loved ones with a quick message. If you’re taking your phone with you, download the app before you head off and make use of it whenever you get the chance.

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Find a spot for a daily phone call

You may be doing this to get away, but a five-minute phone call each day will make the experience much easier for you. Plus, this can work as a fantastic security backup. Aim to reach a pay phone at some point during the same hour each day. Then, if you don’t ring, your loved ones will know straight away that there’s a problem.

 

Quiet and Relaxing Holidays in Florida

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Holidays don’t always have to be about walking around, exploring a new country or indulging in nightlife. Sometimes, a holiday is just a weekend break; some time to relax after finishing up a busy project at work or to unwind after a stressful period in your life. We should all go on a relaxing break at some point in our lives, and it’s something that doesn’t have to cost much nor does it need to be an effort to plan. All you really need is a flight and a booked hotel and you’ll soon be relaxing in a spa or lounging on a beach.

One of the best places in the world to relax and unwind is Florida. This cosy state offers some of the most enjoyable entertainment you can find and it’s the perfect spot for quiet and peaceful weekend break. In this article, we’ll go through some of the most common and interesting places to visit when you’re on a break in Florida.

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Kendall

Located away from the hustle and bustle of the beaches, Kendall offers some fantastic culinary gems that are just waiting to be uncovered by you. The Kendall Ice Arena (although not technically in Kendall) is an iconic location for all locals and it’s a great spot to do a bit of ice skating no matter what the weather’s like outside. If you’re an avid gamer and love arcades, then Arcade Odyssey offers over 100 classics that range from video games to pinball machines. Be sure to look at accommodation such as Best Western Plus Kendall Airport Hotel and Suites before you travel so you can do a little planning before you head out. With so many sights to see, you’ll want a little bit of direction to help you make the most of your quiet weekend break.

Bahia Honda State Park

If you love beaches but not the usual partying culture that comes with it on most of Florida’s beaches, then Bahia Honda State Park is the place for you. It’s actually made up of three different beaches, each with their own unique qualities. The water is warm and refreshing, and there are plenty of activities that go on throughout the entire day. Since it’s far enough from the city, the night sky isn’t polluted with light, giving you a clear view for some relaxing stargazing. This is one of the most relaxing destinations in Florida and you absolutely have to come here at least once.

Pine Island

Pine Island is a secluded yet laid-back and exciting location to take a weekend break. If you enjoy lush environments mixed with a spot of fishing, then you’ll feel right at home here. There are long stretches of tropical plants, a unique atmosphere, opportunities for kayaking and canoeing, and it’s even noted as a haven for birdwatchers. Being surrounded by nature and small pleasures are the keys to a relaxing and quiet break, and you’ll find them both in abundance at Pine Island.

 

Healthy For Life: Medical Checks You Need To Be Having as You Age

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

It is inevitable that we are all going to age. But how well we age will be dependant on a number of things. Some things in our life we have inherited and may or may happen as a result. Other things can happen through incidents in our life, or how we treat our body. But there are some things that can occur as we get older than can be dealt with pretty quickly. We just need to be getting them checked in time. So has never been more important to have regular doctor’s appointments as we age. Throughout our life we should aim for at least a yearly physical unless we have any conditions that need to be seen to. But what are some checks we should be having as we get older? Here are a few suggestions. If you have yet to have one of these and are reaching a certain point in your life, then it might be time to schedule an appointment. I hope this helps!

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Hearing Test

Hearing tests should be done from a young age. But unlike eyesight, it doesn’t need to be done too often. Once every five years or so should suffice, as long as you aren’t noticing any problems in the meantime, of course. But as we get older, our hearing can deteriorate quite quickly. So more often than not is recommended for hearing tests. But don’t worry, if there are any issues, it can be easily dealt with. Just take a look at a site like hearingaidbuyertoday.com, and you’ll see the variety of hearing aids that are available. There are many that look like you’re not even wearing one, so you don’t have to make it obvious, if that is something that you’re worried about.

Eye Tests

Throughout our lives, our eyes should be tested around every two years. Again, this should be done sooner if you are noticing problems with the quality of your vision. The number of people, especially women, that wear glasses later in their lives is quite high. So you might want to consider having eye tests annually, rather than every two years. Having good vision can impact your health and life in general greatly, so it is worth looking into.

Stepping on the Scales

Knowing how much we weigh is important for weight maintenance. As we get older, our metabolism can slow down; we tend to be a little less active than we have been before, so weight gain can be quite likely if we’re not careful. So keep an eye on how much you weigh. Being overweight can lead to many issues later in life, but being a reasonable weight can reduce your chances quite significantly.

Cholesterol Testing

Do you know what levels of cholesterol are in your blood? It isn’t something that we tend to know. But having it checked every so often can be really important for our overall health. If you have high cholesterol, it can lead to problems with your heart, and even problems with your blood pressure. So having it checked regularly is important. This can be done with your doctor, especially if you are concerned about it or are overweight. Then you can adjust your lifestyle accordingly, to help improve the results.

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Blood Pressure

Similar to cholesterol levels, our blood pressure can have a big impact on our health, but it isn’t something that we get checked all that often. Untreated high blood pressure can be a killer, as it can lead to things like heart attacks or stroke. So don’t let it sneak up on you. You could check out symptoms at webmd.com if you’re unsure. Get your blood pressure checked regularly and then you can make some changes, as well as take prescribed medication, to help with it.

Mammogram

For women over a certain age, and some men, a mammogram regularly is a great way to detect something like breast cancer before it happens. As well as an annual check, you should look for changes in your body, especially your breasts, and have any changes checked. Yes, it isn’t ideal and can be uncomfortable. But staying on top of it all will help you to deal with anything that might arise, prolonging your health and your life.

Checking Shots

Things like the flu vaccine are available for many of us, especially when the winter months roll around. So if you think you would like one or want to know about it, then speak to your doctor. It can be a lifesaver in winter months when the flu is doing the rounds!

 

 

5 Ways to Manage Arthritis Pain

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

As anybody with the condition will tell you, there are few things more difficult or painful than living with arthritis. Unfortunately, there’ll be much more people who will be able to inform the rest of us how painful the condition is; the number of people living with arthritis is rising all the time, to the tune of some one million more people each year in the United States. In all, there are around 350 million people with arthritis across the world, including millions of children. Below, we take a look at five ways to manage arthritis pain.

Source: Pixabay.com

Hit the Gym

Exercise is one of the things that offer nothing but good things; it’ll relieve pain, improve your all round health, and will not negatively affect your joints. Sounds good to us! Benefits include strengthening the muscles around your joints, giving you an energy boost for when your pain is draining your motivation, improve and maintain your bone strength, and, importantly, help you control your weight; this is particularly crucial because excess weight can put pressure on our bodies.

Use Cold Treatments

Cold treatments are a highly effective way to manage an arthritis flare up. When you’re suffering from arthritis pain, apply a cold pack to the affected spot; it’ll soothe the pain. If your pain is more acute, look at using the new methods of cold treatments that are available. A whole body cryotherapy session like those offered by Cryology has been shown to reduce arthritis pain dramatically. It’s like an extreme cold pack (temperatures reach as low as -160c) that those who have arthritis say works wonders for their pain relief.

Live Stress-Free

When we’re stressed, our muscles seize up. And when our muscles seize up, we’re more likely to suffer from an arthritis attack. Ergo, if you want to reduce the chances of a flare up, then you need to get enough relaxing activities into your life that’ll allow you to live without stress. Of course, what exactly this is will depend on the individual, but there are some activities, such as meditation, reading, and unwinding outdoors, that have been shown to be beneficial to all people.

Try Tai Chi

You might not think that a martial arts activity that developed in 13th century China could help with arthritis, but that’s just what Tai Chi does. Because it’s a low impact activity, it could be performed by people of any age. Benefits of Tai Chi include improved posture, greater balance, increase muscle strength, and an all around improve general mobility. It’s also fun and can be used as a stress reducer.

Eat the Right Foods

Having an overall healthy diet is important when combating arthritis, but there are also specific foods that can help relieve symptoms of the condition, too. If you’re looking for a go-to meal, make it a dish of fish like salmon or mackerel (fish high in Omega-3), with a side of broccoli and brussels sprouts, and add a dessert of tart cherries; your joints will thank you for it.

 

Three Tech Necessities To Enliven A Dull Commute

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

The daily commute to and from work is not something any of us look forward to. It’s lost time; time that could be better spent at work, or enjoying leisure activities at home. It’s dealing with the annoying behaviour of other commuters, the pushing and shoving, the being forced to sit too close to someone you don’t know. It’s a miserable experience, but one that we have to put up with if we want to be able to do our jobs.

It therefore makes sense to consider the potential for making the commute as enjoyable as possible — or, at least, as bearable as possible. If this is something you’re always going to be forced to do, then turning to technology could be the difference-maker that takes you from mild irritation to as-pleasant-as-possible commuting experience.

So what do you need to ensure the time you spend travelling to and from the office is as good as it can possibly be?

1) Smartphone Games That Don’t Require A Data Connection

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If your commute is around 30 minutes each way, then relying on a data connection as a means to entertain yourself is going to get expensive – fast. Browsing the web and social media is how most of us spend our commute, but an hour per day of such browsing is an unnecessary expense.

Instead, turn to smartphone games that you don’t need to be connected to the internet to play. Put your phone in airplane mode and play to your heart’s content, without having to worry about running up a huge data bill.

2) Headphones (That Won’t Annoy Your Fellow Commuters)  

Anyone who has ever been on public transport knows how irritating it can be to be forced to listen to the music of someone else. So if you’d rather zone out to music during your commute, you need to ensure that you’re not going to be one of those annoying commuters. Investing in a good set of best wireless Bluetooth headphones is a good first step, but it’s also worth promising yourself to keep the volume at a reasonable level.

At the very least, having a good option for listening to your own music means you’re going to be able to drown out the music of someone else if necessary!

3) A Reliable Power Source

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Smartphone batteries are terrible; this has been acknowledged, explained, debated, and discussed for years now. Given that we seem to have reached a peak point of performance when it comes to battery life, you’re going to need to ensure that you can keep your phone powered through your commutes. After all, if your phone is going to be your main source of entertainment during the daily work travel, then the last thing you want is for it to run out and leave you stuck with nothing to do.

Portable power banks have been around for a few years now, but they still have huge variances in their quality and durability. As a general rule, opt for a larger bank – around 20,000mAh should suffice – so you can be sure of multiple top-ups, just in case you forget to recharge it every night.

So while commuting is never going to be your favourite activity, the above should make it a little easier to deal with!

What You Need For Your Own Podcast

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Podcasts can be considered another type of blogging, and can be just as full time. Everyone can make their own podcasts nowadays about anything they love or find interesting. Yet even when you’re blogging you’re going to need some essential equipment, so it’s the same for going bigger with your recording activities. It can often feel like a closer way of interacting with your audience, and your friends and family as well as you can invite on special guests. So feel free to run your own podcast, but what technology do you need to record and edit your own audio show?

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There’s three staple things you’ll need to create a podcast worthy of upload:

A Good Microphone

If your computer comes with a built in microphone, you can use that to start off with. However, if you want something more durable and long term, USB microphones make the whole recording loop a lot easier to monitor. This is because you’ll often be able to see the sound levels in wave format on your screen.

If you need some comparisons for the best models, look here, and keep an eye out for entry level microphones as they’ll be best to start and get to grips with. Microphones don’t have to be necessarily complicated however, but are a little bit of an investment so it’s good to know what you’re buying.

A Recording Device

Use your own computer or have an external method of recording. It’s often easier to just use your computer’s built in software if you have nothing else and want to get started straightaway. However, this does mean your files will be harder to find and more easily corrupted as computers are not specialised for this activity long term.

Invest in an external device if you want to try making a podcast long term. These devices will keep your files safe in a format that’s ready to edit, like a WAV. file. They also won’t corrupt your data with trying to store it in a compatible way after being recorded.

Reliable Editing Software

Editing software can be found at many places across the web, but make sure you’re downloading a safe file, and that your software is easy for you to use. You could try something like audacity, which is easy to get to grips with and is completely free.

If you’re confident with what you do, you can use a mixer for your post production effects. These can be used to make a show intro if you’re so inclined, and can create some special effects if you have a themed show or want to dabble in the art of audio mixing.

Creating your own podcast couldn’t be easier with the modern world. Everyone can be their own mini celebrity with online culture, and as long as you have a few listeners you’re in business and everyone can make their own podcasts nowadays about anything they love or find interesting, especially with the help of Music Critic’s Top 10 Best DAW Recording Software of 2018 review for new software for recording! Of course it can always be done for yourself, as it’s another blogging platform, and is a good way to express your creative freedom.

Safeguarding Your Health The Smart Way

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Safeguarding your health is absolutely crucial, especially for those who aren’t exactly getting younger! That being said, the younger you are when you start, the better. Here are some smart ways to look after your health for a great quality of life:

Live A More Balanced Lifestyle

Some people think to protect their health, that they need to eat clean, exercise every day, and do every little thing they can. While this level of commitment is admirable, it isn’t necessary. It’s much better to live a balanced lifestyle, with the odd glass of wine and food with friends. Make smart choices 90% of the time and have fun. When you have fun, studies say you will live longer!

Track Your Health

Fitness trackers are a brilliant way of measuring how fit you really are. There are plenty of brands around today, so it depends on the sort of look and features you think will be best for you. Just some of the features you can enjoy include sleep tracking, finding out your cardio fitness level, comparing yourself against similar people in your demographic, your heartrate, and more. You can really improve these way!

Invest In Lifesaving Equipment

Did you know that mature adults are more at risk of suffering from cardiac arrest than other people? Anybody can suffer at any time, but there are ways that it can be prevented. Equipment is becoming more advanced, and having some of it in the workplace or at home could really prevent the worst from taking place. The infographic below can give more information.


By Foremost Equipment

Is It Possible To Travel In Peace?

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Anyone who travels regularly will know too well how much stress it can cause. Even holidays can be a powerful source of stress, given the strain on the body and mind they can cause. Likewise, if you find that you have to go on a lot of business trips, you are probably sick of the anxiety that such trips can cause. But there might be hope. By slowing down, taking a step back and changing a few little things, you can make travelling much easier on yourself, and a little more peaceful.

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Get Comfortable With Flying 

A lot of people have trouble flying. It’s not hard to understand why this might be such a source of consternation for many people. After all, humans do not fly naturally, and doing so artificially is always going to create some stress at some level. But it is possible to enjoy flying a little more than you might do currently. One handy tip is to get yourself some noise cancelling earbuds. These are great for planes, as you can shut out the noise of the engine, and even get some well-earned sleep. Something else which can be useful is to take a travel pillow with you. If you are able to sleep for most of the journey, your whole trip will be much easier and more calming. 

Know Your Route

If you are going somewhere unusual or far away, it can be stressful just not knowing where exactly you are going. Generally, it is best to know as much as you can about your route, so that you can keep any potential worry at bay. If you are struggling because you don’t know what’s ahead of you, consider spending a little time planning out your route in more detail. Having more information ahead of time is often all you need to feel more at peace during the journey itself. If you consider yourself a planner, this might even be absolutely vital for you to enjoy yourself.

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Protect Against Sickness

If there is anything that can ruin any travelling, it is getting ill. Nobody wants this – and there is plenty you can do to avoid such a fate if you are careful. If you are travelling to somewhere which has specific guidelines on getting vaccines and so on, be sure to get those. But you should also think about the more simple things – generally looking after your body as you travel. It is also hugely important to look after your body before you travel, as you never know what illnesses might be lurking under the surface which you will want to put a handle on.

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With some simple changes, you can easily enjoy travelling all the more. If you approach it in the right way, there is no reason that travelling of any kind has to be stressful or alarming. A little of the right mindset and some forward-thinking will go a long way towards making your next trip much more peaceful for all involved.

 

 

‘Ear, ‘Ear, What’s All This Then? Ear Problems And How To Sort Them!

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Our ears are an essential and valuable part of the Body, and hearing is a useful ability that can have a huge impact on our day to day lives. That means our ears need to be looked after, and any health issues surrounding them needs to be dealt with as soon as possible. To do this, you will need to know what common ear issues you are likely to come across. So keep reading to find out.

Hearing Loss

A big problem for many people is a loss of hearing. It can start slowly with folks missing what others are saying, or needing the subtitles on the TV more, or come on more suddenly. Perhaps in relation to a specific trauma or infection.

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The causes of hearing loss are varied as well. In younger people, it may be a genetic condition, or for those with previously healthy hearing, an accident can be at the root of the matter. In particular, using headphones with electric instruments can shock the inner ear, if the volume is not carefully controlled. In older folks, these causes remain relevant. Although hearing loss may also be due to degradation of the different parts of the ear, such as the drum, canal, or cochlea.

When dealing with hearing loss, it is always best to identify what is causing the problem before going ahead with treatment. Such treatments may include medications, surgery, or devices that enhance sounds making them easier to pick up. In fact, many folks that suffer from hearing loss go to companies like Sonic Hearing Aids to get informed about their choices for sound enhancing devices. As they can be an effective, and inconspicuous way of solving the problem.

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Ear Wax

Ear wax is a common problem and can affect people of all ages, genders, and lifestyles. Ear wax is actually the Body’s natural defence against bacteria getting into the ear canal. It also helps to keep things lubricated and not dry and itchy in there too. However, if you have too much, or a build-up of this waxy substance you can run into problems. Ones that cause a decline in hearing, earaches, infections, and even vertigo. Where you feel dizzy and struggle to get you balance even when you are not high up.

 

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To prevent this is important that you avoid having anything inside the ear. This includes cotton buds. Although most people see them as a good way to remove waxy build-up. However, what they are actually doing is just forcing most of the wax further down the canal, so it becomes impacted. In fact, it is much better to rid yourself of ear way by getting drops from the doctor, or in more serious cases getting your ears syringed. A process whereby they draw the way out.

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There are also some alternative and natural therapies that can help. Such as ear wax candles that cause pressure changes in the ear canal drawing the wax out. Although these should only ever be performed by qualified professionals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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