Unhealthy and Healthy Solutions for Coping with Stress

Published on: 22 December 2017 Last Updated on: 18 June 2021
Unhealthy and Healthy Solutions

Demanding responsibilities at home and work, the piling bills, the lack of time in a day… the stress seems never-ending at times. Though stress is a normal part of life, it can reach levels that can take a toll on your physical and emotional well-being. Keeping stress under control is imperative, but how you manage it is equally as important. Below, are some healthy and unhealthy ways to cope with stress.

Emotional Eating

Emoonatil eating is very common when trying to battle stress. When stress is prolonged, it results in the brain releasing the hormone cortisol which increases the appetite. This then motivates you to want to binge on comfort and junk foods. Though it may feel good going down, binge eating is bad for your health and an ineffective way to deal with stress. Emotional eaters can experience weight gain, and weight-related diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

Using Drugs to Relax

There are certain illegal drugs and prescribed medications that can cause the brain and body to feel relaxed. When stress reaches uncontrollable levels, some people turn to pills and other drug forms to calm down. The high or calm experienced when using these drugs is only temporary which leads to increased cravings, dependency, and ultimately addiction. Using more medication than prescribed or illegal drugs is never a good solution for coping with stress. If you’ve reached this point, you should consider enrolling in an outpatient drug rehab program to get sober.

Smoking

Nicotine, which is found in cigarettes, has a mood-altering effect on smokers. It essentially blocks out feelings of frustration, anger, and anxiety. The dopamine released into the bloodstream because of smoking helps the person to feel good at the moment, therefore giving the impression of relieving the stress. However, when the cigarette is done, the dopamine levels drop and the stress increases. Smoking is a bad habit to break and should not be considered a remedy to stress. It can lead to an array of adverse health complications including an increased risk of stroke, cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, and more.

Get a Massage

There are some that treat themselves to a massage when dealing with a lot of stress. As stress impacts more than just your mental well-being, massage therapy can be an essential way to release the tension and improve your mood. Using various techniques massage therapists are able to pinpoint areas of tension and remove knots that help to loosen up the muscles. This relieves pain and improves your mood. Massage therapy has also been proven to help lower blood pressure and heart rate to relax the body and mind.

Do Something You Enjoy

The monotony of life can sometimes bring stress. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, take some time to yourself and do something that makes you smile. Spend time with family and friends, read a book, ride a bike, or cuddle up on the couch and watch your favorite movie or television series. In doing so, you’ll feel a lot better and be more prepared to handle the day today.

Get Some Rest

Lack of sleep can increase stress. When you’re sleeping, it provides your mind and body with the time it needs to replenish itself. Minimal sleep can lead to issues like memory loss, lack of concentration, and altered judgment or mood. Essentially, not getting enough sleep could cause performance issues at home and on the job making life more complicated to navigate. Getting a recommended 8 hours of sleep each night can help improve this.

The demands of life can become stressful to deal with. When you feel that you’re overwhelmed, it is important to take action. Though finding a way to cope is recommended, you must avoid handling it the wrong way. Unhealthy methods of coping with stress such as emotional eating, smoking, or using drugs can lead to adverse health effects which only heighten stress. Instead, use healthy methods like getting a massage, doing something you love, and allowing your body to replenish with a good night’s sleep. If it has gotten out of control, asking for help from a doctor or therapist is advised.

Read More:

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

Anxiety

7 Ways to Reduce Test Anxiety

Even the very well-prepared students may often experience anxiety before an important test or exam. However, people experience anxiety in different ways - more often than not anxiety during a test may have a significant impact on your final result. But how can you get yourself in a good state of mind and overcome the tension that is bound to bother you before a test? Unfortunately, there is not a 100% guaranteed method to do this, but there are many simple tips and methods which might prove to be great allies in your battle against anxiety. This post sums up seven ways to reduce exam related apprehension, and we sincerely hope that the advice below will help you beat restlessness before your next big exam: Make Sure to be Well Rested: Not getting a good night sleep may often increase the chance that you will experience anxiety before an important event – even if it is not an exam. Although studying all night might seem like the better option, in 90% of cases it would be a much better choice to get at least 8 hours of sleep instead of pulling an all-nighter in order to try and memorize some last minute information. Keep in mind that studying while tired is also very inefficient, so you might end up not remembering anything in addition to being extra tired and anxious in the morning. Don't Go in Hungry: In addition to getting good sleep, you should make sure to wake up early enough in order to have time for a well-balanced breakfast. Remember that some people might tell you to focus on sugar-heavy food to get an energy rush, but do not forget that this will be inevitably followed by a crash. Try to have a normal breakfast – oatmeal, milk, and some fruits is usually an excellent choice. Prepare in Advance: This advice can be applied to a variety of situations ahead of the big day – prepare all things you need (notes, books, pen & paper) before going to bed so that you will not need to stress with this in the morning. In addition to this, there is no way to skip anxiety unless you are at least somewhat confident that you have prepared properly for the exam. Starting to study for a few weeks in advance is a great way to ensure that anxiety will not bother you when the time of the exam comes. Be an Early Bird: Although arriving at the exam hall too early might sound like a tedious task, it will give you time to get used to the environment, and this is bound to help improve your mood as well as to suppress stress, and boost confidence. Being late is terrible, and it is guaranteed to cause restlessness, so it is better to be at the place of the exam as early as possible. Be Confident In Your Knowledge and Ignore What Others Do: Many people have confidence issues when it comes to exams, and they attempt to compare their work rate to other people in the room. However, this is a terrible approach, because everyone has a different pace of work and a different way with words - people might need a few hundred words to explain something that can be summarized in fifty words. The fact that you are writing less than the others does not necessarily mean that you lack the knowledge. The best thing to do is to focus on your own work, and ignore what everyone else in the room is up to. Manage Your Time Well: Keeping an eye on the clock all the time. This might sound stressful, but it will actually help you reduce anxiety by allowing you to properly allocate your time so that you will have time to do all assigned tasks. Do keep in mind that if time is running out and you are nowhere near done, then it is probably best to begin ignoring the clock and focus on doing as much work as possible in whichever task you feel most confident in. Remember that Exams Are Not a Matter of Life and Death: Yes, failing an exam might make you miserable but, however, it is not the end of the world. Almost always there is a chance to redeem yourself, and remembering this is the best way to reduce anxiety. Not only will the thought of a second chance relieve you, but it might also help you perform better on the current exam since you will be more relaxed and confident. Final Words: Ideally, you will do your best following all of these tips since combining them is guaranteed to tackle anxiety and help you stay cool, calm and collected during the exam. Do not forget that the most essential advice is in the last paragraph – exams are not the most important thing in the world, and you will always get another chance even if it does not work out the first time. If you think that you are not able to overcome your test anxiety, not confident enough to reach your goal, not intelligent enough to deal with life’s challenges then you must go for online life changing courses, SAMDA & HMF by Prof. Abdul Samad where people coming from all walks of life are changing their lives in just 1-2 sessions only. Hope to see you successful and happy in your life ahead. Read Also: 10 Tips To Memorize All Necessary Information Before Exams Free Student Guide To Help You Achieve Exam Success

READ MOREDetails
Medical Billing Errors

Common Medical Billing Errors And How Software Fixes Them

An authentic stream of revenue is needed for your medical practice to be efficient and profitable. However, you may need optimized billing efforts to avoid some challenges. Some medical billing problems you may encounter include client complaints and delayed payments. Bear in mind that these problems are capable of hurting your medical practice. Your primary task should be getting rid of those medical billing errors by fixing them. Billing errors are now common, but there are ways to fix them. Various software has been developed to help with practice management and reduce the chances of running into a medical billing problem. This software provides a medical billing solution that makes practice easy and smooth. This article will focus on the common medical billing errors you might face in your medical practice and tell you how software fixes those errors. Medical billing: Explained Medical billing is important in the healthcare industry. It involves the processing and submitting of healthcare claims to insurance companies so that medical services offered to patients by providers can be reimbursed. Medical billing is a complicated process with many steps, like claims submission, denial management, coding payment posting, and charge capture. Medical billing ensures that healthcare providers get their payment timely and accurately for services provided, which is vital for financial stability. An understanding of billing regulations and medical coding is needed for medical billing to be effective. Effecting billing also requires the potential to find your way around complex insurance systems. Excellent problem-solving and communication skills are must-haves for medical billers. This will help them resolve issues that might arise in the billing process. Electronic medical records (EMRs), electronic health records (EHRs), and electronic billing systems have risen. These systems have reduced errors and streamlined the billing processes. In essence, medical billing is challenging and complex; the task requires expertise and specialized knowledge. Medical billing is a vital role that must be addressed in the healthcare industry. Healthcare providers must receive reimbursement for services rendered n a timely and accurate manner. Despite the priority given to this medical billing process, various issues are bound to occur. These issues can make cash flow slow, claims can be denied, and financial difficulties may arise. Medical billing errors Let us explore the most common medical billing errors. 1. Data entry errors This billing error is prevalent. It occurs when incorrect information is entered into the billing system. Some errors may include procedure codes, insurance information, and patient demographics. Data entry errors increase administrative costs, delayed payments, and claim denials. To prevent this error, healthcare providers should conduct regular audits to ensure accuracy and implement a double-entry system. 2. Coding errors When a medical service is assigned a wrong procedure code or the code is not specific, a coding error occurs. Coding errors lead to fraud allegations, delayed payments, and claim denials. With proper training of staff in medical coding, this error can be prevented. Healthcare providers should also ensure that they update their coding manuals regularly. 3. Upcoding and down coding Upcoding occurs when a healthcare provider bills for an expensive service than what was provided. Downloading occurs when a healthcare provider bills for a service that is less expensive than the provided one. Upcoding and down coding are fraudulent activities that can result in and attract legal actions and fines. Billing practices must be based on detailed and accurate documentation to prevent this error. 4. Duplicate billing Billing for the same service multiple times is duplicate billing, which occurs accidentally. Duplicate billing happens when a claim is resubmitted due to a technical error or intentionally as a fraudulent practice. Note that duplicate billing leads to legal actions, delayed payments, and claim denials. Implement a system to track and reconcile all claims to prevent duplicate billings. 5. Coordination of benefits errors This occurs when two or more insurance companies are responsible for a medical service payment, and a disagreement arises about who is responsible for the payment. Coordination of benefits errors can lead to increased administrative costs, delayed payments, and claim denials. Healthcare providers must ensure that their patient’s insurance information is updated and accurate. 6. Out-of-network errors Errors like this occur when the healthcare provider bills for services an out-of-network insurance provider provides. This comes up when a patient receives medical services from a provider outside their outlined insurance network. Out-of-network errors lead to increased administrative costs, delayed payments, and claim denials. Educate patients about insurance coverage and be sure that they obtain prior authorization for out-of-network services. How to fix them with software? Here are some ways software can be used to fix medical billing errors and improve the financial health of a healthcare practice. 1.   Automated claims management Automated claims management software is one of the best strategies to stop medical billing mistakes. Before submission to insurance companies, this software may automatically examine claims for mistakes and inconsistencies. Automated claims management software decreases the likelihood of claim denials and delayed payments, which may check for coding mistakes, duplicate billing, and other frequent problems. Eliminating the need for manual claims review and resubmission can save healthcare providers time and money. 2.   Electronic health records EHRs can improve medical billing efficiency by automating certain aspects of the process. For example, EHRs can automatically generate billing codes based on the services provided, reducing the risk of errors related to manual coding. The advancements in EHR software development have been pivotal in enabling these automations and ensuring the accuracy of medical billing and coding. EHRs can also facilitate submitting claims to insurance providers, reducing the time and resources needed to complete this task. Patient outcomes can be improved by healthcare providers by providing them with a complete picture of their patient's medical histories. By having access to comprehensive medical records, healthcare providers can make more informed decisions about patient care and avoid mistakes related to incorrect or incomplete information. 3.   Real-time eligibility verification Real-time eligibility verification software can help healthcare providers improve their revenue cycle management by reducing the time and resources needed to verify insurance information. By automating checking patient eligibility and coverage parameters, healthcare providers can free up staff resources and focus on delivering high-quality patient care. The software can also improve the accuracy of insurance information by reducing the risk of errors related to manual data entry. By automatically verifying insurance information in real-time, healthcare providers can ensure they have the most up-to-date and accurate information before providing medical services. 4.   Automated payment posting Automated payment posting software can help healthcare providers improve their revenue cycle management by reducing the time and resources needed to process payments. By automating the posting of payments from insurance companies, healthcare providers can free up staff resources and focus on delivering high-quality care to their patients. Automated payment posting software can also improve payment processing accuracy by reducing the risk of errors related to manual data entry. By automatically matching payments to the corresponding claims, healthcare providers can ensure that payments are processed accurately and promptly. 5.   Data analytics Data analytics tools can help healthcare providers track key performance indicators (KPIs) related to their revenue cycle, such as days in accounts receivable, collection rates, and net revenue. By monitoring these metrics, healthcare providers can identify areas of their revenue cycle that need improvement and implement strategies to optimize their financial performance. These tools help healthcare providers identify opportunities to streamline their operations and reduce costs. For example, by analyzing supply usage and waste data, healthcare providers can identify areas where they can reduce waste and save money. 6.   Automated denial management This software can help healthcare providers identify patterns in claim denials, allowing them to improve their billing processes to prevent future denials. By streamlining the appeals process and reducing the number of denied claims, healthcare providers can improve their revenue cycle management and ultimately increase their bottom line. Automated denial management software can provide real-time insights into claim status and help healthcare providers prioritize which claims to focus on. This can be especially helpful for practices that handle large claims or have limited staff resources. It is a valuable tool for healthcare providers looking to improve their revenue cycle management and reduce the time and resources spent on manual appeal procedures. 7.   Patient payment portals Patient payment portals can also improve patient satisfaction by offering a convenient and secure way to pay medical bills. Patients can access their payment history, view outstanding balances, and set up payment plans through the portal. This level of transparency and control can help reduce patient anxiety and promote trust between patients and healthcare providers. It also saves healthcare providers time and resources by automating payment processing and reducing the need for staff to handle payment transactions manually. This can allow healthcare providers to focus on delivering high-quality care and improving patient outcomes rather than on administrative tasks. Conclusion Medical billing errors are a significant problem that can lead to financial loss and legal action for healthcare providers and patients. Healthcare providers can improve their revenue cycle management by implementing effective strategies to prevent these errors and ensure high-quality patient care. Software programs help streamline billing practices to provide better care to patients. Try using software to fix your medical billing errors to experience swift medical billing processes. Read Also: How Can A Dallas Functional Medicine Doctor Help You? How Can Healthcare Staffing Benefit You? American Healthcare and its Woes

READ MOREDetails
Alcohol Prevention

3 Alcohol Prevention Tips to Kick Your Old Drinking Habits to the Curb

There are dozens of terrifying stats about alcoholism that can scare someone into going sober, but let's stick with this one: 88,000 people in the United States die from alcohol-related causes every year. This fact makes alcohol the third leading cause of preventable death in the US. That should be reason enough to kick your excessive drinking habit to the curb. Unfortunately, quitting alcohol isn't always that easy. You may need a few alcohol prevention tricks up your sleeve to avoid temptation. 3 Alcohol Prevention Tips to Kick Your Old Drinking Habits to the Curb So whether you're trying to quit alcohol for good, or wanting to cut back on the amount of alcohol you drink, read on for some helpful tips on avoiding alcohol. 1. Recognize the Signs of Alcoholism: Quitting the use of alcohol may be as simple as "putting your mind to it" for some people. But if you suffer from alcoholism, you won't have it that easy. That's why it's important to recognize the signs and stages of alcoholism. These signs include: Drinking everyday Blacking out when you drink Extreme mood swings Attempting to hide your drinking from loved ones Drinking alone Neglecting other responsibilities in favor of drinking Feeling sick when not drinking If you exhibit these signs, know that your journey to an alcohol-free life might require additional tools, such as checking into rehab or attending support groups. 2. Keep Alcohol Out of the House: "Out of sight, out of mind". When people go on diets, one of the first things they'll do is get rid of all of the junk food in the house. If they didn't do that, it would be difficult to keep their mind off of the delicious cookies in the pantry, and they would probably end up eating them. The same can be applied to alcohol. If you are quitting alcohol to improve your health and quality of life, it doesn't necessarily mean that you don't still love to drink alcohol. So if there are several bottles of liquor in your house, you might have trouble keeping from drinking it. To prevent that from happening, gather all of the alcohol in your house and give it to a friend that's a responsible drinker. 3. Make Sober Friends: Over the years, you've probably made a ton of friends through your drinking habit. You may even have friends that only have one thing in common with you: drinking alcohol. While you don't need to cut off all of your friends that drink alcohol regularly, it's a good idea to hang out with friends who don't drink. You may already have some, so just give them a call and invite them over for dinner! If you don't have any sober friends, consider joining an in-person or online sober community group. Seek out people in your area who are sober and start hanging out with them. You'll be surprised by how much fun you can have with friends without partaking in binge drinking. Be Realistic About Alcohol Prevention: No one knows your strengths and weaknesses better than you do. If you know that going to a bar with friends will definitely lead to you getting a drink, then don't go to a bar. Be real with yourself about alcohol prevention and remove as much temptation from your life as you can. Now that you're kicking your drinking habit aside, it's time to improve other aspects of your health! Check out our health blog today for more helpful tips and tricks. Read Also: 10 Reasons To Stop Drinking Alcohol Today Can Vaping Really Help You Kick Your Smoking Habit? The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Non-Alcoholic Spirits Famous Alcoholics And The Symptoms Of Their Addiction

READ MOREDetails