Preparing for Surgery: How to Use Guided Imagery for Optimal Outcomes

December 2nd, 2011 by admin No comments »

Are you or a loved one preparing for an upcoming surgery? As the time draws nearer, sometimes anxious thoughts can become overwhelming, leaving you feeling fearful and powerless. The good news is that studies have shown that using the power of the mind body connection can help you recover faster and have fewer side effects. Guided Imagery helps you focus on relaxation and healing so that you are better prepared to respond effectively to your procedure.

This primary purpose of this article is to help you feel calmer and more empowered as you prepare for your medical procedure. The more you practice this method the more effective it will be. Guided Imagery can help you achieve improved surgical outcomes; this includes less pain, fewer complications and even a faster recovery. Relaxation can help you lower your cortisol and adrenaline levels, leading to lower blood pressure and heart rate. The more you practice the better your results and the more relaxed you will be at the time of surgery.

Another equally important benefit is to clarify your desired outcome. You are having surgery for a reason and there is a desired outcome. Surgery is a transformative event. First you remove your material identifiers like your clothes or ring. Next you enter a sterile space.You give up control and put your life in the hands of others. You surrender your consciousness. When you awaken you will be changed; transformed.

Before you listen to a guided imagery audio, take a moment to picture the outcome you desire. Maybe less pain, greater mobility or a cure from illness. What do you want your life to be like after surgery?

How do you want to feel? By focusing on the outcome you desire you help direct the healing power of your mind.

Do you want to be more relaxed?

Do you want to wake up in a more positive mood?

Do you want to give your mind and body suggestions for healing and reduced pain?

Or do you want to allow your surgery experience to bring you greater clarity in your desired outcomes?

Do you want a greater connection to healing and to your body?

Guided Imagery is endorsed and encouraged by Harvard trained Dr Andrew Weil, the Mayo Clinic and the Cleveland Clinic. It is used across the country and the world in hospitals and many other settings for healing.

In a recent study, just 15 minutes of hypnosis an hour before surgery, significantly reduced patient’s need for anesthesia. It also resulted in less post surgical pain and other side effects. (Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Sept. 5, 2007). » Read more: Preparing for Surgery: How to Use Guided Imagery for Optimal Outcomes

Florida Health Insurance For New Residents

November 18th, 2011 by admin No comments »

In spite of a hurricane every now and then, more people are moving to the state of Florida than to any other destination. They are coming in droves from the colder northern states to embrace the perpetually mild weather.

There is even a large influx from Europe and Asia to Florida, especially with the anemic US dollar.

While everyone can go to the beach at Christmas and find affordable housing, not everyone is going to qualify for health insurance.

In Florida as in most states, health insurance is medically underwritten. This means that you have to medically qualify to obtain a policy. Furthermore, if you are 65 years of age or older, there are no carriers that will write a Florida health insurance policy. This will no doubt affect anyone looking to retire in Florida from outside the United States.

Florida does not have a state pool for uninsurable residents. If you meet the income guidelines, you can apply for Medicaid.

Will I Qualify for a Florida Health Insurance Plan?

Medical underwriting does not mean that you must be in perfect health. It does mean the following:

  1. You have seen a physician in the last two years in the United States
  2. If you have been prescribed a medication for a condition, you take that prescription as prescribed and your condition is controlled (i.e., high blood pressure).
  3. Any tests that have been ordered by a physician have been completed
  4. There are no recommendations for surgery in your medical record
  5. You are not morbidly obese
  6. Preferably, you do not take more than three prescriptions on a daily basis

The above list is by no means exhaustive, but it will give you some general guidelines. The only way to determine if you qualify is to talk with an agent who is well versed in the underwriting guidelines. » Read more: Florida Health Insurance For New Residents

Free Affordable Florida Health Insurance Quote Online

November 18th, 2011 by admin No comments »

Free Affordable Florida Health Insurance Quote Online

Affordable health insurance is becoming harder and harder to find, but if you are willing to do your homework and comparison-shop you should be able to find something that meets your needs. Getting quotes that compare the different types of insurance is easy when you use an online health insurance website. An insurance quote website will quickly sort through the various companies and policies to give you the lowest quotes possible.

Florida health insurance plans

Before you get quotes on health insurance make sure you know what you are looking for, because there are different types of health care policies

  • A Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) is a group of health care providers who agree to provide care for patients at a flat rate for a period of time. The provider becomes the gatekeeper in keeping costs down and under the flat rate, so that the provider can get a profit while still providing good care. And you the patient get the benefits of a lower premium. HMOs are typically good for health promotion and disease prevention, so if you are a young person or a young family, this may be a good option for you. Often baby checks or yearly physicals are at little or no cost to you. You have little flexibility to see other providers unless your primary provider makes a referral, but these plans can be the least expensive.
  • A Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) is a group of health care providers that contract with the insurance company to provide care at a specific reduced fee. The provider gets the benefit of having a captive patient load, and the patient gets the benefit of lower health care costs. If you need to see a provider who is not in the PPO network, then the cost to you is generally higher. These types of policies have a little more flexibility and will usually cost a little more.
  • A Point of Service (POS) policy assigns you a primary care provider that you can see at a lower cost, and allows you the flexibility to see someone outside the network at a higher price, usually 20% of the bill. These types of policies generally cost more than either an HMO or a PPO. Once you have considered all the various options available in health insurance, do some comparison-shopping. An on-line heath insurance website can provide you with several free quotes to consider. You can find a policy that is a balance of what you want and what you can afford. » Read more: Free Affordable Florida Health Insurance Quote Online