Ways to avoid deposits in the kidney and prevent excruciating pain

Kidney stones are solid deposits which originate in the kidney. The initial microscopic deposits grow into large stones when certain chemicals become concentrated enough in the urine to form crystals. They result in excruciating pain, coming in waves until the tiny stone passes through the urinary plumbing and out of the body. In some cases, kidney stones become lodged in the ureter and block the flow of urine.

Most stones are formed when calcium combines with either of two substances: oxalate or phosphorous. Stones can also form from uric acid, which forms as the body metabolises protein. Also, it is not a one-time problem: in about half of people suffering with kidney stones, another appears within seven years if there are no preventive measures taken.

Studies show that kidney stones appear to be more common in people with Asian and Caucasian backgrounds. Preventing kidney stones means preventing the conditions which support and instigate their formation.

Lifestyle changes

The deposits in the kidney form when urine contains more crystal-forming substances than the fluid in the urine can dilute. It may lack substances that prevent crystals from sticking together, creating an ideal environment for stone formation.

• Drink Your Way

Living in a hot and dry climate necessitates drinking more water and produces more urine, about 2.5 litres a day. Dehydration often causes low urine volume and less fluid to grab calcium and other compounds in the urinary system. Unless the urine is light and clear, keep drinking enough water.

• Avoid Sugar

Diets high in sugar can increase urinary calcium excretion and increase the risk of kidney stone formation. Soft drinks and sweets are the biggest dietary causes as they often contain high levels of fructose and phosphoric acid. Natural sweeteners, like stevia, have the unique ability to regulate blood sugar levels.

• Avoid Oxalate-rich Foods

If you tend to form calcium oxalate stones, it is recommended restricting foods rich in oxalates. These include rhubarb, beets, okra, spinach, Swiss chard, sweet potatoes, nuts, tea, chocolate, and soy products.

• Add Rice Bran to Your Diet

It has been observed that high-fibre diets reduce the risk of developing kidney stones. In fact, a study found that when patients took 10 grams of rice bran twice daily, their recurrence rate for kidney stones was reduced by almost 80 percent.

• Avoid High Sodium Intake

Too much of sodium intake can create mineral imbalances in the body. If you are on a moderate-high carbohydrate diet, the body will naturally retain sodium and can cause more problems with mineral balance. Low-carbohydrate, high-fat diets excrete sodium and therefore need more good salts.

Stay away from processed salts and processed sodium-rich foods, and consume natural foods. Stick to a low-moderate carbohydrate, high-good fat diet and consume unprocessed sea salts and pink salts.

• Create A Calcium-rich Diet

Diets low in calcium can increase kidney stone formation in some people. A daily glass of orange juice can help prevent the recurrence of kidney stones better than other citrus fruit juices such as lemonade.

Medically managing recurrent kidney stones requires dietary and lifestyle changes as well as treatment such as the addition of potassium citrate, which lowers the rate of new stone formation in patients with kidney stones.

Treatment of kidney stones is a costly affair these days. You need to undergo several blood and urine tests followed by CT scans, specialist visits, lab analysis of kidney stone and antibiotics prescription. The entire process can be financially draining. A health insurance is a smart way to cover yourself against these expenses. With free health check-ups and cashless hospitalisation facilities, you can always rest assured in times of hardships.

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A checklist that assists you in making the right choice:

With an alarming number of accidents occurring each day, personal accident insurance is an increasing necessity. But, as the old saying goes, "Half knowledge is dangerous"! Buying a policy without studying the details is equivalent to having no insurance at all.

For instance, a Delhi-based policyholder was involved in an unfortunate car accident that cost him his index finger. Although the hospital certified him with 15% disability, the insurer refused to pay the claim because his policy covered only total disability.

Total disability in policy terms means complete physical separation of limbs above the wrist or ankle. Here, the policyholder could have received claim if he had identified the loophole in the policy, and opted for one covering partial dismemberment.

Therefore, before taking a personal accident cover, check the policy for the following points to avoid any unpleasant surprises during claim.

Coverage

Make sure the policy covers a wide range of accidents at home and workplace. It should include all the daily activities that may lead to an accident such road accidents, rail accidents, terrorist attacks, and natural disaster.

Further, read the glossary of the policy document carefully to understand which clauses are covered and the terms and conditions behind them. For example, in many accident insurance policies hospitalization expenses can be claimed if the insured is admitted within seven days of the accident, and stays a minimum of twenty-four hours as an inpatient.

Premiums

The value of premiums is calculated based on sum insured, policy duration, and add-ons. Assessing your current income, future potential income, and extent of liability, you can determine the sum insured.

Companies even offer customers optimizing an insurance plan and premiums to suit their budget needs. In addition, one can even opt for additional riders to include more risks to be covered in the policy.

Benefits

A good accident insurance policy must include family benefits, daily allowance during hospitalization and child education support in case of an accident. Look out for other benefits that suit your requirements and budget needs.

Exclusions

Familiarize yourself with the exclusions and limitations for which the insurer is not liable under the policy. Some of the major exclusions that accident insurance does not cover are death, injury, illness, or disablement due to:

• Deliberate self-injury
• Suicide or attempted suicide
• Influence of intoxicating substances such as liquor or drugs
• Participation in adventure sports
• Mental or nervous disorders
• Venereal diseases
• War, nuclear perils, childbirth or pregnancy

Insurer

Nowadays, insurance companies offer a wide range of customizable accident insurance policies. You can choose an insurance provider with an impeccable track record by checking their:

• Claim settlement ratio
• Feedback response
• Customer support
• Quality rating
• Premium cost-effectiveness with respect to other companies

Better Safe than Sorry

It is never too late to opt for accident insurance even if you have a life insurance policy. It covers a gaping hole of the life insurance by offering additional coverage in case of disability. Further, no matter what the magnitude of accident, you and your family can return to the same financial condition prior to the loss. Thus, before an accident makes a huge dent in your savings, Personal Accident Insurance to make a well-informed decision.

A vast section of the Indian population continues to be outside the purview of health insurance , found a report titled ‘Indian Life and Health Insurance Sectors’ from consulting firm Milliman.

The report found only 44% of the total population in the country to have a health insurance policy as of 2017. It essentially means 56% of the country’s 1.3 billion people don’t have a health cover.

The report also found the private sector to be spending a significant chunk of the healthcare expenditure in India at 70%, with the government spending only 30%. Contrary to this, the federal and state government in the US contribute as much as 45%.

Though health insurance penetration has gone up over the last few years, the market is still significantly untapped. While 76% of the population didn’t have any health cover in 2013-14, the number dropped to 56% during 2016-17. The Milliman report found the number of uncovered people by subtracting the covered people from the population estimate as given in the National Health Profile.

The report also found standalone health insurers gaining a significant presence in the retail segment between 2013-17. Experts attribute this rise to the ability of standalone health insurers to innovate their best health insurance products and aligning them with the needs of customers.

The report also says that the ambitious Aayushman Bharat Scheme launched by the Government this year, that plans to cover over 10 crore poor and vulnerable families offering coverage up to ₹5 lakh per family, will upgrade over 1.5 lakh sub-centres to wellness centres by 2022. It’s anticipated that those not eligible for coverage under Aayushman Bharat will opt for private insurance.

Home is like a heaven on earth, it is where we get peace of mind. However, for a physically challenged person, the structures we normally use in building a home could prove a barrier. A few structural changes such as installing a ramp and lower workspace go a long way in making their lives safer, more comfortable and avoid accidents.

Here are 14 ways - architectural, technological and non-electrical - that will help improve the quality of life for the physically challenged:

Provide Enhanced Ease by Modifying Home Layout

The home architecture should be conducive to safe movement in and around the home. Customizing the house layout, without compromising the decor will facilitate easy movement:

1. Build ramps (in addition to staircases) for easy access wherever possible
2. Frame widened doorways for effortless passage in and out of the house
3. Build easy-slide drawers in cupboards and wardrobes
4. Design a lower kitchen counter and sink for easy reach
5. Install low level switch boards
6. Design accessible layouts for bathrooms and toilets to avoid accidents caused due to slipping
7. Place workspaces like desks, countertops, telephones and other appliances at reachable heights
8. Install disabled toilet seats designed for people affected with paraplegia to provide them with independent space and comfort

Enhance Convenience Leveraging Technology

In this technology-driven era, a new technology is developed each day. It can be a completely new invention or an upgraded version of existing technology. Electrical innovations have touched the sky in recent years. Several such innovations have greatly improved convenience for the physically challenged, some of which are:

1. Wheel-in showers help the disabled to enjoy their morning bath on their seat
2. Specially designed equipment operated by speech provide a great support to people who are visually impaired
3. A recent and unique innovation, LCS or Lip Controlled System serves a human-computer interface controlled by actions of lower lip (sipping and puffing)
4. Talking keypad phones are available to facilitate communication for those who are unable to see
5. For people with speech disabilities, eye-tracking systems amplify the action of eye retina into digital signals to control the mouse cursor that can play games, run applications like Solitaire as well as Skype.
6. Special devices known as Telecommunication Devices for Deaf (TDDs) help people with hearing impairments to communicate to others via text and a modem use

These small modifications can bring a huge change in providing a quality and accident free life to people with disabilities. The convenience, ease and safety that their house provides, rebuilds their confidence and self-esteem, making them independent.

The Insurance and Regulatory Authority of India (IRDAI) in a recent notification has removed some items from the list of “optional cover” like psychiatric treatment, dental procedures, infertility and stem cell treatment. However, the notification was inconclusive in nature and has only created further ambiguity on whether such removal of items is to facilitate their mandatory cover or not.

In the notification, the IRDAI said in a partial modification of guidelines on standardisation of health insurance business some items have been deleted from the said list of ‘‘items for which optional cover may be offered by insurers’’.

These items mentioned in the IRDAI notification included assisted conception procedure, hormone replacement therapy, infertility, sub-fertility, obesity treatment, dental treatment that do not require hospitalization, treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, psychiatric and psychosomatic procedures, any expense when the patient is found affected with retro virus or suffering from HIV/AIDS, stem cell implantation, corrective surgery for refractive error, surgery and storage and aesthetic treatment and surgery.

The chief product officer of a leading insurance company said, “In the 2016 list of optional cover, there are 199 items. IRDAI has deleted some of these items. Being optional these were not covered by the insurers. Now, the companies have to examine whether they like to cover them or mention them as permanent exclusions. Covering all these in the policies is not easy as it will need product modification and have a pricing impact”.

“IRDAI has corrected an anomaly as these treatments were part of the non-payable items. Now, they can be included in the product design,” said Sanjay Datta, chief underwriting, claims and reinsurance - ICICI Lombard. He added that these items that were not a part of the hospitalisation cover earlier could now be covered as add-ons.

ICICI Lombard Health Insurance Cashless Network Hospital List in Mau, Uttar Pradesh

Explore ICICI Lombard’s health insurance plans :

• Family Health Insurance
• Personal Accident Insurance 
• Top Up Health Insurance
• Arogya Sanjeevani Policy
• Corona Kavach Policy
• Senior Citizen Health Insurance
• Parents Health Insurance
• Children Health Insurance

which offers people much needed financial backup during any medical emergencies.

ICICI Lombard Health Insurance Cashless Network Hospital List in Maharajganj, Uttar Pradesh

Explore ICICI Lombard’s health insurance plans :

• Family Health Insurance
• Personal Accident Insurance 
• Top Up Health Insurance
• Arogya Sanjeevani Policy
• Corona Kavach Policy
• Senior Citizen Health Insurance
• Parents Health Insurance
• Children Health Insurance

which offers people much needed financial backup during any medical emergencies.

ICICI Lombard Health Insurance Cashless Network Hospital List in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

Explore ICICI Lombard’s health insurance plans :

• Family Health Insurance
• Personal Accident Insurance 
• Activate Booster (Top Up Health Insurance)
• Arogya Sanjeevani Policy
• Corona Kavach Policy
• Senior Citizen Health Insurance
• Parents Health Insurance
• Children Health Insurance

which offers people much needed financial backup during any medical emergencies.

ICICI Lombard Health Insurance Cashless Network Hospital List in Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh

Explore ICICI Lombard’s health insurance plans :

• Family Health Insurance
• Personal Accident Insurance 
• Top Up Health Insurance
• Arogya Sanjeevani Policy
• Corona Kavach Policy
• Senior Citizen Health Insurance
• Parents Health Insurance
• Children Health Insurance

which offers people much needed financial backup during any medical emergencies.

ICICI Lombard Health Insurance Cashless Network Hospital List in Lakhimpur, Uttar Pradesh

Explore ICICI Lombard’s health insurance plans :

• Family Health Insurance
• Personal Accident Insurance 
• Top Up Health Insurance
• Arogya Sanjeevani Policy
• Corona Kavach Policy
• Senior Citizen Health Insurance
• Parents Health Insurance
• Children Health Insurance

which offers people much needed financial backup during any medical emergencies.

ICICI Lombard Health Insurance Cashless Network Hospital List in Khurja, Uttar Pradesh

Explore ICICI Lombard’s health insurance plans :

• Family Health Insurance
• Personal Accident Insurance 
• Top Up Health Insurance
• Arogya Sanjeevani Policy
• Corona Kavach Policy
• Senior Citizen Health Insurance
• Parents Health Insurance
• Children Health Insurance

which offers people much needed financial backup during any medical emergencies.

ICICI Lombard Health Insurance Cashless Network Hospital List in Kheri, Uttar Pradesh

Explore ICICI Lombard’s health insurance plans :

• Family Health Insurance
• Personal Accident Insurance 
• Top Up Health Insurance
• Arogya Sanjeevani Policy
• Corona Kavach Policy
• Senior Citizen Health Insurance
• Parents Health Insurance
• Children Health Insurance

which offers people much needed financial backup during any medical emergencies.

ICICI Lombard Health Insurance Cashless Network Hospital List in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh

Explore ICICI Lombard’s health insurance plans :

• Family Health Insurance
• Personal Accident Insurance 
• Activate Booster (Top Up Health Insurance)
• Arogya Sanjeevani Policy
• Corona Kavach Policy
• Senior Citizen Health Insurance
• Parents Health Insurance
• Children Health Insurance

which offers people much needed financial backup during any medical emergencies.

Know how people manage to exercise on a regular basis.

It is often said that 'Health is Wealth'. Today's hectic lifestyle is rapidly taking a toll on this 'wealth'. Obesity, diabetes, blood pressure are becoming common ailments. Inspite of their busy schedules, there are a few people who keep themselves fit. These fitness enthusiasts choose to jog in the morning or hit the gym after office or engage in other physical activity to stay fit. They fight that barrier of laziness to exercise their way to fitness.

Everybody desires to be fit and have a healthy body. Often, we fail to stick to the routine. We start exercising, do it for a few days and get too lazy to continue. The same is not the case with the ones who love exercising. They adhere to their schedule; even find extra time to burn those calories. Following are 6 secrets of people who love to exercise.

They Do What They Want

Going to the gym is not the only way to stay fit. People choose to go for a run, pursue dancing, some practice Karate. People who love to exercise do not force themselves to perform an exercise they don't like.
Performing the exercise of your choice keeps your interest alive, making you want to do it the next day and the next.

They Work Out With Friends

Exercising in a solitary environment can be monotonous and may lead to giving up. Exercise lovers often have a friend or a group of people to exercise with.
A workout partner or a group can go a long way in motivating you and help you push yourself. You can foster new relationships and widen your social group in that manner.

They Focus On the Benefits

Daily exercise yields both short and long-term benefits. Focusing on what they reap from this hard work fuels their engine to maintain their schedule every day. This makes exercising less dreaded and more enjoyable. Some might consider six pack abs as a benefit while some may look at a healthy heart as a result of continuous exercising. Focusing on the benefits is what keeps them going.

Once your baby starts crawling, he or she would be eager and ready to touch, grab or snatch everything on sight. Although it is amusing to watch your little bundle of mischief do that, you would want to keep your baby safe from any danger. So, set aside a few hours or even a day to rearrange equipments and furniture at your home. Remember, the key is to try and keep potential hazards out of your baby's inquisitive range of vision. Also, don't forget to protect your precious one with child health insurance plan.

To get you started, here are some basic tips that might be useful:

1. Get the baby view

What can be a better idea than to check for possible distractions through your baby's eyes? Crawl along and check the view from ground level. Ask yourself - what is within your baby's reach? Or, what could attract the baby?

2. Keep a grip on those cords

Computer wires or electrical cords hardly deserved much thought when it was only you and your spouse. But these could just become a play attraction for your child. Bind the cords together with a cord holder and keep it fastened against the wall to keep your baby safe against electrical shocks.

3. Crib caution

Make sure the crib rails are a little higher than the baby's height. Also, remember to test the width of the slats so that your baby can't fit his head through it. Keep soft toys, pillows or blankets out of the sleep space as it could lead to suffocation.

4. Medicine or baby candies?

Your medicines are like candy for his eyes, avoid keeping them in places that are easily accessible. Store them in high and locked cabinets or toss the unnecessary ones out in the trash. Avoid taking medicines in front of your child, lest he tries imitating you.

5. Obstruct prying fingers

Safety Precaution 101 - cover all exposed electrical sockets that are at the ground level. You can hide them behind large furniture or use 'childproof' covers available in the market.

6. Learn to latch and lock

Young mothers must keep in mind that if there are open cabinets and pin drop silence in the house, your child has definitely explored all four corners of it. Latch cabinets with a lock especially if you are storing chemicals and cleaners in them. Similarly, storage spaces for electrical appliances too need to be locked at all times.

Budapest nightlife offers something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a casual evening out with friends or the chance to experience the city’s vibrant club scene, there is an endless variety of choices. From intimate cocktail bars to bustling nightclubs, Budapest has it all. No matter your taste in nightlife, you’ll find something to suit the city’s many vibrant spots and moods! In this post, we’ll explore some of Budapest’s top places to immerse yourself in its dynamic after-dark scene.

Places to go in Budapest

Budapest’s nightlife is a dazzling mix of history, culture and modern entertainment. Thus, whether you’re a night-time explorer or somebody hoping to loosen up following a day of touring, Budapest nightlife brings something to the table for everybody.

• Ruin bars: Where history meets entertainment

A defining feature of Budapest’s nightlife is its unique ruin bars. These establishments are a fusion of art, culture and entertainment, often set in dilapidated buildings or courtyards. Szimpla Kert, one of the pioneers of this trend, is a testament to the city’s creative spirit. With its mismatched furniture, graffiti-covered walls, and an eclectic mix of music, Szimpla Kert offers an unforgettable bohemian experience. Instant-Fogas is another favourite, boasting multiple dance floors and a labyrinthine layout within its historic walls.

• Elegant ruin pubs: A classy twist

For those seeking a more refined atmosphere, Budapest offers elegant ruin pubs that blend sophistication with the unique charm of the ruins. Like Mazel Tov, these venues provide a cosy yet upscale setting, often accompanied by live music and a wide selection of craft cocktails. Mazel Tov’s enchanting garden and glass roof make it just right for a relaxed evening with friends.

• Cruise the Danube: Night lights from the water

The Danube River that flows through Budapest offers a captivating perspective of the city’s illuminated beauty at night. Numerous operators offer night time river cruises, allowing you to enjoy iconic landmarks like the Parliament Building and Buda Castle while sipping a glass of local wine. The gentle lapping of the water and the city’s glittering lights create a truly magical experience.

This is because your health insurance policy not only cushions you from the impact of heavy medical and health care bills but also ensures that the insured can avail of quality health care services. It then becomes important to have a thorough knowledge of the policy features as also the insurance quotes of the insurance provider.

The conventional method of acquiring a health insurance would be to contact the insurance company executive you are interested in. Through these meetings the potential customer acquires knowledge on the health insurance quotes. The agent will also disclose the costs and conditions of the insurance policy so that the interested person can easily make a decision on which policy to buy based on his or her needs.

With changing times and fast paced lives, the means to acquire information regarding health insurance in India have become all the more convenient. Simply log on to the internet, locate insurance provider’s website and browse through various policies on offer. These websites also offer a clear insight into the insurance quotes and the premium payable after taking into account several factors like the age, health of the insured and sum insured coverage chosen. This convenient process takes just few minutes and is a boon for those working on tight schedules.

When buying comprehensive health insurance it is important to select comprehensive insurance policies. These policies not only help you get the best of health care facilities but also reduce the financial load without depleting your savings. Health insurance plans like Complete Health Insurance and Health Care Plus offer several benefits apart from covering medical expenses like cashless claim benefit. Under this feature, the insured can easily avail of health care facility from any of the health care providers under the network of the policy provider.

Some health insurance quotes also include the option of selecting add-on covers with the payment of some additional amount on your premium. These covers can prove extremely beneficial in the long run and add to the complete coverage offered by your health insurance policy.

Knowing several salient features of different health insurance policies can prove extremely beneficial to the potential customer. Also, with technology and easy access to information, selecting your health insurance policy has become considerably easy.

Disclaimer - The article contains only an indication of the cover offered. For complete details on coverage, terms, conditions and exclusions, please read the sales brochure carefully before concluding a sale. ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited. Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation.
  
IRDA Reg. No. 115
Toll Free No: 1800 2666
Job Code: EC012227ML
Product Code: Misc. 128, Misc. 113

Beat the mosquito bite

Dengue is plaguing India at an alarming rate. According to the 2016 National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme reports, India witnessed 45,490 dengue cases, and 88 deaths associated with dengue. Dengue has now been declared endemic – a disease that circulates throughout the year irrespective of season – with its prevalence in central, northern and eastern India.

Dengue Buzzes

While microbiologists have been studying the disease pattern and declare that it no longer has a season, cities across have reported a spike in occurrence during and post monsoons. This has been attributed to the proliferation of the main virus vector mosquito, Aedes aegypti, which thrives in stagnant water and damp weather. Thus, the months of August and September have continued to witness a rise in the dengue cases reported.

Dr. Om Shrivastav, an infectious disease consultant in Mumbai, said, “If there is pooling of water, there will be breeding of mosquitoes. There is a definite rise in the cases of dengue.” Another well-known physician, Dr. Sushila Kataria, Division of Internal Medicine, Medanta the Medicity, is of the opinion that the incidence of dengue has been getting worse every year, and that, this year, there will at least be a 25% hike in the number of dengue cases.

Research is being conducted to develop vaccinations against dengue; however, currently only the symptoms can be treated. The disease can be extremely painful and exhausting, and in extreme cases, may cause death of the patient. Therefore, staying protected is the best way to beat the disease.

Tips for Protection against Dengue

• Cover Right

Wear clothes that cover your body entirely, to prevent mosquito bites. Apply insect repellent to your clothes to stay safer. Use mosquito nets if required, especially for infants and elderly.

• Clean the Surroundings

Keep your house dry and clean always. Since mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water, ensure that you empty water containers, buckets, etc. when not needed. Also, make sure that the plants inside and around your house or office is not over-watered and water does not stagnate in pots. Ensure that the garbage bins at home and office are always covered and are disposed timely.

• Check Doors and Windows

Make sure that windows and doors do not have cracks that allow the entry of mosquitoes. Shut doors and windows during the early morning and evening hours.

• Go Natural

The Centre for Disease Control has recommended a mixture of lemon oil and eucalyptus oil to keep mosquitoes away. Growing a tulsi plant in the house is considered yet another natural way of repelling the vector.

Despite the various precautionary measures, one may contract the disease. Since persistent high fever along with body ache, headache, etc. are the common symptoms, it is advised to seek immediate medical care in case such symptoms are observed. Remember, with right and timely medical attention, the mortality rate of dengue is as low as 1 in 100.

A comprehensive health cover can help tide over the disease with reduced financial burden. Stay protected against rising hospitalisation costs and medical bills with ICICI Lombard's health insurance policy.

Winter is the time of the year when the heart is at maximum risk. According to a research conducted at the Heart Institute at Good Samaritan Hospital, Los Angeles, the overall incidence of heart attack during winter is 26-36% higher, when compared to summer.

People with existing heart problems have a higher risk from cold weather and need to take precautions. However, even healthy individuals should take special heed during winter. Here are 5 ways in which you can protect your heart this winter:

1. Stay warm at all times

Low temperatures cause blood vessels to constrict, thereby increasing blood pressure. According to estimates of British researchers, for every 1 degree Celsius drop in the temperature, 200 more heart attacks occur daily among men and women, in the two weeks to one-month window following the fluctuation.

Instead of wearing thick clothes, opt for thin layers of breathable fabric. Layers provide insulation by trapping warm air between them.

2. Warm up before strenuous activities

When you perform strenuous activities in cold weather, it increases the load on the heart. Inhaling cold air further increases the workload.

Light exercise for 5-10 minutes to warm up, such as a slow walk, and stretching, before strenuous activities can help prevent injury and strain on your heart. Take frequent breaks and reduce the workload for added precaution.

3. Get sufficient sunlight

Our body needs sunlight to produce vitamin D. In winters, when the days are shorter, people are generally less exposed to the sun. Not getting enough sunlight is thought to play a major role in heart disease and high blood pressure.

A review article in the journal Circulation reported that people with heart disease faced 30-50% higher rates of severe cardiovascular disease or death, when sun-deprived. During the winter months, "there is a change in the ratio of daylight hours to dark hours, which changes the hormonal balance, and the hormones involved, such as cortisol, can lower the threshold for a cardiovascular event," explains Stephen P. Glasser, MD, a professor of preventive medicine at the University of Alabama.

4. Tone down the stress

Stress increases blood pressure and puts unnecessary strain on the heart. Especially during winter, when the heart is already at a higher risk, it is crucial to maintain stress levels, not just for the heart, but for your overall health as well.

The holiday season witnesses an increased indulgence in food, drink and merrymaking, which also increases the stress on the heart.

5. Spot the signs

It is always handy to know how a heart attack presents itself. Even if you are unsure about it being a heart attack, have yourself checked by a qualified physician. Effective bystander CPR, too, can be crucial in saving lives.

Healthy eating habits and staying active is the cornerstone of a healthy heart. As a precautionary measure, buy health insurance to financially safeguard your health.

As the English poet, Leigh Hunt once said, "The groundwork of all happiness is health."

Have you ever caught a glimpse of that subtle yet nagging double chin in the mirror? Don’t let it dim your confidence! Just like the variety of workout options for a fit body, there are many exercises that target chin fat and tone the muscles around your jawline. Here are the top five exercises for double chin to help you flaunt a well-defined jawline.

Best exercises for double chin

1. Chin lifts
2. Jaw jut
3. Neck stretch
4. Tongue press
5. Fish face

1.    Chin lifts

Chin lifts engage the muscles in your neck and jaw, working wonders for toning that area. Begin by tilting your head upward and fixing your gaze toward the ceiling. Keep your lips closed and form a “kissing” expression. Hold this position for about 10 seconds and repeat a few times.

By targeting the platysma muscles (i.e., thin muscles that run along the front of your neck), chin lifts promote muscle tone and contribute to a more youthful appearance. Strengthening these muscles can also assist in reducing sagging skin, providing a natural lift to the lower face.

2.    Jaw jut

The jaw jut exercise is a valuable addition to any face workout routine aimed at combating a double chin. To do a jaw jut, sit or stand upright, then push your lower jaw forward, and feel the stretch in your chin and neck. Hold for a few seconds, release and repeat. 

This is among the simplest and most effective face exercises for a double chin. It engages the muscles surrounding your chin and jaw, including the digastric muscle and the muscles of mastication. These muscle groups play an important role in jaw movement and support. By regularly practising jaw juts, you can strengthen these muscles, leading to improved muscle tone and a firmer jaw line.

3.    Neck stretch

Neck stretch is considered among the best exercises for double chin. Begin by gently tilting your head to one side until you feel a stretch on the opposite side of your neck. Hold for about 20 seconds and switch sides.

Neck stretches offer a range of benefits beyond targeting a double chin. These stretches help release built-up tension in the neck muscles, alleviate stiffness, and improve overall neck flexibility. They also contribute to better posture and reduce strain on the shoulders.