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Why Hitting Rock Bottom Can Be the Best Thing That Ever Happened to You

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There’s a reason why it’s impossible to change another person. Each of us has to recognize that the pain or discomfort we’re feeling is greater than our resistance to change. And that’s when we’re ready, willing, and able to make changes in our own lives.

Unfortunately, this is also known as “rock bottom.”

Everyone’s rock bottom is going to look different because everyone has a different tolerance for pain or discomfort. One person may be willing to become homeless before they realize that they have a problem with substance abuse. Another person may have to file bankruptcy or have a foreclosure before they realize they’re living beyond their means. And some people never seem to learn the lessons no matter what happens.

But when someone does get to that rock bottom moment, that’s when amazing things can happen. It feels like the worst moment of your life, but in many ways, it can be the best. It can be the turning point that transforms your life from hopeless to amazing.

Here’s why hitting rock bottom can be the best thing to ever happen to you.

1. There’s accountability

When someone hits rock bottom, it’s usually after they’re forced to take some accountability for their actions. It may be after drug addiction or an arrest. Or it may be after a close friend or family member turns their back. This moment is always going to look different for everyone, but it usually involves some level of accountability. When other people recognize your problem, it becomes difficult to ignore.

2.  Your pain or discomfort feels immense

You may be sabotaging your health for years, but when the doctor says you need to change your lifestyle or you may die, the pain will likely be greater than the idea of change. Dying is scarier than eating broccoli, so that may be the moment you cut junk food and unhealthy things from your life. And even with the same health issues, some people get to rock bottom sooner than others. Some hit their transition point when the doctor tells them they either need to take medication or change their lifestyle. For that person, the idea of taking medication with all its side effects is more uncomfortable than changing their habits.

3.    Your entire life stands to improve

More and more people recovering from substance use disorders are finding that there are deeper issues at play. In fact, they may have been self-medicating a mental health issue they weren’t even aware they had. The dual diagnosis of mental health issues and addiction is becoming increasingly common in our society, and dual diagnosis treatment can address more than the problem that led you to seek change.

And this isn’t just the case with addiction. When you start fixing the problems in your life, you may find that these positive changes have a domino effect. You can make one positive change where you have the greatest pain and it can improve other areas of your life.

For example, if you seek treatment for a gambling problem, you may end up saving money and making wiser decisions. And without all the time at the casino, you may smoke less and drink less alcohol. For this, your health may improve in addition to your financial status. And without the stress of gambling, your relationships are likely to improve.

One positive change can have a ripple effect that improves your entire life. And it all started with that painful rock bottom moment.

No one wants to hit rock bottom, but the truth of the matter is that some of us need to get there before we’re ready to make the difficult changes in our lives.

 

 

5 Pieces of Advice to Find the Best Plastic Surgeon and Clinic

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By Debbie 

The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reports that 25 min procedures are carried annually. It means that about 70,000 people improve their appearance every day! All of them want to receive a good result and impress everyone with a new look. However, not everyone will boast of the perfect outcome — the wrong choice of a doctor or a clinic may cost your beauty and health.

So, before entrusting your appearance and agreeing to have a cosmetic procedure, carefully check whether a clinic or a doctor you have chosen can provide highly-qualified service. The following recommendations can help you to avoid a mistake and get the best option.

Experience in plastic surgery

Experience is a key factor you should take into account while choosing a clinic or a doctor. Always check how many years a doctor has been practicing, what education he/she has got, how many plastic surgeries have been performed. Some clinics or specialists have thousands of plastic surgeries on their account that is a reliable indicator of their professionalism. Also, pay attention to whether a clinic/doctor has additional certificates that confirm their experience and qualification. These certificates can be given by international or local plastic surgery organizations.

Before and after photos

One more criterion of picking the right place to have plastic surgery is before and after photos of patients who have had an operation. You can find a portfolio on the official website of the clinic or request them. You have to estimate the result before your operation to make sure of the perfect outcome. A clinic or a doctor that are proud of their success will provide you with a portfolio immediately. If something confuses you — it is better to look for another option, even if the offer seems very attractive.

Reviews

Nowadays, you can find as much info you need concerning any issue. Plastic surgery is actively discussed on the leading forums, public in the social networks. So, you can info almost about any specialist or medical center. There, people share photos, their experience, and comment on the result of plastic surgery with pleasure. It is your lucky chance to glean the info, ask questions directly, and eventually decide what a clinic to choose.

Prices

Prices for plastic surgery may vary significantly depending on the country, where a clinic or doctor practices. For instance, clinics for tummy tuck may offer absolutely different prices — from $2,800 (abdominoplasty cost in Turkey) to $12,000 (price in the USA). So, if the cost is important for you and you want to choose an affordable option, pay attention to the clinics located in Turkey, India, Mexico, some European countries (Poland, Lithuania, etc.) The medical centers in these countries usually offer much cheaper plastic surgery without the quality loss than American, Canadian, German, Swiss, Spanish centers, for instance.

Location

Even if you have found an experienced plastic surgeon or an affordable deal for the operation, think over how long you will travel to the country and how much the flight tickets will cost. Sometimes, you can save money on the operation, but waste more on travel charges and accommodation in another country. So, always calculate all expenses and decide whether it is worth going abroad to have plastic surgery.

Summary

Choosing a clinic/doctor for plastic surgery is an important and responsible step for achieving a desired esthetic result. Even if the medical center or a specialist is ready to conduct plastic surgery at a very low price, don’t hurry up to agree — check the experience, see the portfolio, read the patient reviews at first, and only then decide whether a clinic/doctor has enough experience to manage your plastic surgery. Do not be risky! Always be careful when your health and beauty are involved.

How to Maintain Your Physical and Mental Health if You Lack Health Insurance

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by Brooke Faulkner

Healthcare is a necessity for most individuals, however, not everyone can afford health insurance. For a number of those who are able to get insurance, they still can’t afford to pay for the level of coverage they need. This puts people at risk in the event of a medical emergency.

In a medical emergency, people often end up having to opt for emergency medical care. This can be financially exhausting for hospitals and also put extra pressure on emergency rooms. To demonstrate how financially exorbitant it is, during the year that the Affordable Care Act was passed, hospitals provided around $40 billion worth of care they weren’t paid for. In some cases, hospitals will still try to bill a patient who seeks treatment but doesn’t have insurance.

If you don’t have insurance or what you do have isn’t adequate, looking after your health should be a priority. Preventative care is a way to lower the likelihood of you ending up in the emergency room because of a preventable illness. Here are a few ways that you can improve your health and hopefully, stay out of the hospital. You’ll also find tips regarding what you can do in the event that you need care and don’t have insurance.

The Importance of Preventative Care

You can’t predict what direction your health will go in, but you can influence the chances of a positive outcome. A way of doing this would be by taking preventative measures. This is something that should be considered whether you have insurance or not as poor health can negatively impact all aspects of your life. For those without insurance, in particular, leading a healthier life could mean worrying less about how you can fund a sudden or recurring illness.

Lifestyle Changes You Can Make

No matter how old you are, there are several things that you can do to improve your health. Below, you’ll find a few suggestions that could increase your chances of staying healthy and avoiding the emergency room.

Exercise

Health and exercise are somewhat synonymous. For this reason, it’s difficult to have a conversation about health without touching on the importance of being active. If you’re wondering why exercise is always recommended, it can combat health conditions as well as diseases. For instance, being active boosts your “good” cholesterol, thus preventing conditions like high blood pressure.

If you aren’t keen on physical activity, the good thing is that you don’t have to dedicate hours on end to fitness every day. Doctors suggest that you do at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day. However, if you can handle intensive exercise, then it goes down to 15 minutes daily. So that you’re exercising consistently, consider incorporating it into your daily routine. For instance, you could jog to work if it isn’t too far away or use the gym during your lunch break. In addition to helping prevent health conditions, exercise is also a way of managing existing ones.

Healthy Eating

Healthy eating is another way to keep your body in shape that could be obvious to some. What you eat greatly influences your health, so make a conscious effort to choose nutritious foods. This doesn’t mean denying yourself of your favorite foods completely. It means finding healthy alternatives to ones that could cause issues in the long-term. For instance, you could decide to grill your chicken instead of frying it or start buying fresh foods instead of processed ones.

Don’t forget to include carrots in your diet so that you can maintain healthy eyes. Millions of Americans have some form of vision problems and it can be pricey to treat if you’re uninsured. Other ways to look after your eyes besides eating carrots are to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables every day.

In addition to watching what you eat, cut back on high-risk behaviors like smoking and drinking. These habits can cause illnesses longterm that could affect your lungs, veins, and liver. You should note that there is free health screening available so you can check to make sure you don’t have an undiagnosed illness.

Look After Your Mental Health

Your mental health counts as part of your health too, so don’t neglect it. If you aren’t sure how to take care of your mental health, it is about learning to take care of your emotional, psychological, and social well-being.

That said, one way to look after your mental health is by learning to manage stress. To manage stressors in your daily life, try finding healthy distractions like keeping a gratitude journal or volunteering. These are things that could help remind you of the good happening around you and the things to be thankful for.

Not finding effective ways of managing stress can lead to sleep deprivation. It can also increase the chances of you suffering from sleep disorders like insomnia. This can have negative effects on your mental health as you may often feel depressed and on edge. For this reason, you should seek the advice of a doctor as they can offer appropriate advice and treatment. Sleep disorders aren’t something to take lightly as if left untreated, they can result in behavioral issues, heart attacks, high blood pressure, or strokes.

When you look after your body, you’re also looking after your mind. This is why watching what you eat is a form of preventative mental health care as well. Eating junk food can lead to inflammation in your body which affects your brain’s stress levels directly. Likewise, exercise is vital to keep endorphins flowing and your emotional health balanced. A final tip for looking after your mental health is to take a few minutes a day to meditate. It can help ward off negative thoughts and give you a more positive outlook.

Alternatives to Insurance

If you’re wondering what you can do if you can’t afford insurance, know that there are a few options for you to explore. Firstly, if you’re in urgent need of care, you have the option of emergency care. This means you can walk into any hospital and they cannot refuse to treat you.

In less severe cases where you have a minor illness or injury, you can always visit a free clinic. This will come at no cost as it’s funded by the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) Health Center Program. There are almost 12,000 in the U.S., District of Columbia, and U.S. Territories, so check to see if there’s one near you.

If you can afford to pay something for healthcare, an option is a retail walk-in clinic. There are almost 3,000 operating in the U.S. and they offer treatment services for 30-40% lower than if you went to the doctor for treatment. Retail clinics are also suitable if you have an emergency and you’d pay up to 8% less than you would if you went to a hospital. Similarly, urgent care centers offer non-emergency care at relatively affordable rates too.

For those that are adamant about getting health insurance, Medicaid gives low-cost insurance if you’re a low-income family, have a disability, are elderly, or are pregnant. You could also try short-term health insurance that provides coverage for up to 364 days depending on what state you’re in. Supplemental insurance products can be taken into consideration too if you’d rather choose from standalone products.

We don’t yet live in a country where health insurance is something that is easily accessible to everyone. In the meantime, you can make efforts to look after your health and make the most of the options available to you.


Reducing Fear Around the What Ifs in the World

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If you are naturally a fearful or anxious individual, finding a moment of calmness in your own mind can be difficult as you are always wondering or worrying about what-if scenarios, even if they seem quite outlandish even to our own rational brains. Once you have a fixation on a circumstance or situation, it can be difficult to let go, relax and in so many words – get over the feeling of what’s bugging you.

Luckily, we don’t have to let fear and anxiety drive our lives and we have more control over our thoughts, feelings and reactions than we initially realise. Of course, you shouldn’t ever withhold or prevent a feeling – it’s natural to have emotions and feelings, even if they are quite strong compared to those around you – it’s how we act on these feelings and emotions that summarises who we are.

Gaining Control

Control is something that can make us feel confident but can quickly be pulled out from underneath us. When we lose this control, we feel suitably out-of-control of our own lives which naturally causes feelings of anxiety and fear. While we may not always be able to control the situation, we are able to control our reactions to it and work our way through the fear and nerves.

For instance, online security can be a fear for many people who have moved their important accounts online and are using smart devices to log into their sensitive inboxes and bank accounts. While you cannot control if and when a hack might occur, you can be sure to implement multi-factor authentication on all your accounts and practice safe browsing by never opening or clicking untrustworthy links.

Trusting in Others

The beloved people in our lives, be they friends or family, can be a huge source of anxiety and fear for people as they worry what could happen to these people and the impact it will have on our lives. Parents in particular can be a group that is hugely affected as they place their trust in schools and day-cares to take care of their young children while they go out to work and provide a comfortable lifestyle for their family. Trust in others is built over time, we cannot be expected to trust everyone as soon as we meet them, and it can be easily to become overwhelmed with the sheer amount of news stories regarding untrustworthy people. It’s becoming gradually easier, with the addition of smart technology that allows us to keep an eye on our homes by monitoring securely protected CCTV and other home or commercial surveillance devices.

However, we also need to remind ourselves that the true world isn’t full of monsters hiding around every corner and that news and social media platforms benefit from only releasing and reporting the bad stuff. Social media and online news platforms and blogs have made it easier than ever before to see the horrors going on around the world but just because we hear about it more frequently, doesn’t mean it’s happening more frequently, in fact, in many western countries, the world is the safest it’s ever been.

Confidence in Feelings

Sometimes fear and anxiety can be caused by doubting our own feelings or denying emotions to situations out of our control. Rather than immediately taking action against these feelings, make a record of them, take a moment to read what you’ve written and include details about the situation.

– What has happened to make you feel this way?

– How do you feel?

– Was this your initial feeling or have your feelings changed and developed in reaction to your first response?

Once you’ve got this on paper (or typed up in front of you) it’s easier to step back and look at the situation as a whole, address the feelings you had and what caused them and work out what you need to change about the situation in future to make you feel better about it. Our brains work in interesting ways and sometimes, the first thought we have in regard to a situation is simply what we’ve been conditioned to think or feel, it’s what we do next that decides the type of person we are and how much control we have over ourselves.

The world may seem like a scary place at first glance, full of what-if situations and terrifying news stories but take a closer look at your immediate world, your family, your neighbourhood, your local community – you might quickly find many smiling faces and supportive networks. We are the ones in control of ourselves, don’t let your emotions override your thoughts and instead, learn to let go of the little things that worry you and live a more peaceful, fulfilling life.