5 Easy Steps to Invest in Your Health

The question of investing in your health may seem like a no-brainer for many— after all, who doesn't want to be healthy? But the reality is that you might not be doing as much for your own health as you think you have been. The Philippine Statistics Authority reports that Filipinos' out-of-pocket health expenditures are on the rise, hitting Php 372.8 billion in 2017. In order to avoid falling into the trap of spending too much on hospitalization fees, it's important to keep on top of your health. Here are some ways to do that below.

Eat Healthier

The Asian Diabetes Prevention Initiative says that 60% of diabetics living in Asia, and without further lifestyle changes that number may soon be on the rise. Diabetes isn't the only disease related to diet: depending on what you eat, you may be at risk for obesity, cardiovascular disease, cancer, dental disease, and osteoporosis. In order to avoid these, the best thing to do is to be more mindful of what you eat. Maintaining a healthy diet reduces your risk for these diseases and more, and keeps you healthier overall.

Exercise More

The benefits of exercise have been discussed at length, but the surprising fact is that Filipinos don't seem to get much of it at all. The Sun Life Financial Asia Health Index found that 6 out of 10 of mid-income Filipinos don't exercise regularly, citing lack of time as one of the main reasons. Exercise can help increase your bone and muscle mass, reduce your chances of obesity, and increase your endorphins. It's important to get into the habit while you're young, so make the time now and hit the gym as soon as you can.

Sleep Longer

According to the 2016 Healthy Living Index Survey, 46% of Filipinos lack sleep. This makes the Philippines among one of the most sleep-deprived in the region. Getting enough hours of sleep is about more than just comfort: healthy sleeping habits lead to better concentration and productivity, a reduced chance of obesity, and a reduced chance of depression. So make sure you get those hours in!

Get Checked More Often

Another way to keep on top of your own health is to make sure that you're seeing the right professionals. Getting regular check-ups increases the chances of early detection, meaning that you can nip diseases in the bud with early and proper treatment. Your doctor can also provide you with a better nutrition or exercise plan, one that's tailored to your state of health. While the added costs of regular check-ups may seem like a hassle, you'll find that they'll pay off in the long run.

Invest in Health Insurance

Finally, one of the best ways to invest in your health is to simply invest in health insurance. Even with the best preparations, accidents or sudden illnesses can still happen, and when they do it's best to be prepared. If you aren't sure where or how to start, Paramount Direct has a guide on how to pick the best health insurance for young professionals. It's a comprehensive look at the common questions you might have about health insurance, as well as information about pricing and coverage.

  

For more tips on living healthy, check out the Health tag on My Metro Lifestyle

Discover what’s standing between you and your success in preventing hair loss

There comes a time in your life that you have to stand up and say, “Enough is enough.” And that’s the day when you decide to change your life for the better. Who doesn’t want to become accomplished? Even the “gifted” and brilliant ones have to pay the price so as to realize their goals in life.

When we fail to eat on time, get enough exercise or sleep between seven to nine hours a day, we’re compromising our health and wellness as we reduce the maximum extent that our body must function. Consequently, the effects in our body may extend and manifest as early warning signs of hair loss.

Take it from celebrity beauty and salon expert Fanny “TF” Serrano, who once personally experienced such an ordeal. For him, avoiding harsh synthetic solutions and choosing to use the right products with natural ingredients is a must and still the best way to deal with mane problems like losing or thinning of the hair. 

With this in mind, embracing natural healthy lifestyle is so important to achieve optimal health, best physical condition and healthy full head of hair. Health products made out of natural ingredients are way effective for better healing and maintaining our body’s lifelong function than those of synthetic ones. Rather than investing in those branded shampoos or other hair treatments, there’s a natural way to help arrest hair loss and help remedy its four early symptoms, namely, excessive hair shedding, thinning hair, receding hairline, and bald patches. This is none other than NOVUHAIR, nature’s answer to hair loss.

Watch this video of Abby Asistio

By the way, here’s a special promo exclusive at all participating Watsons stores nationwide.

For every purchase of NOVUHAIR 3-in-1 pack at P5,280, you’ll get one 200ml. bottle of NOVUHAIR Herbal Shampoo worth P1,100 for FREE! That’s 21% savings! 

The suggested retail price of NOVUHAIR 3-in-1 pack is P5,280.

Check out more details via this link or visit their website, www.novuhair.com.

Do you want to be a World Gratitude Ambassador?

Do you consider yourself a grateful person? 

Do you want to inspire more people to adopt the attitude of gratitude?

We have always believed that GRATITUDE is a way of life and the key to happiness. Thus, a global movement on GRATITUDE will kick off on September 21, 2019, during the World Gratitude Day. It aims to inspire and encourage individuals to start adopting the attitude of gratitude.

As part of the initiative, the search is now on for GRATITUDE AMBASSADORS all over the world who's willing to:

• Adopt the attitude of Gratitude in your personal and professional lives
• Actively share the message of gratitude in your social media accounts and email newsletters
• Invite family and friends to join the WORLD GRATITUDE SUMMIT
• Inspire others to be more grateful through your examples.

As a GRATITUDE AMBASSADOR, selected individuals will be eligible for the following:

• Recognition and title of World Gratitude Ambassador (for your country/state) - We will be sending an official poster/ badge that you can use.
• VIP Access to the World Gratitude Summit (online summit)
• Be part of the exclusive FB group of Gratitude Ambassadors
• Opportunity to earn through affiliates

This is open to any age, race, and occupation. If you are interested, you may send your application via this link:bit.ly/WorldGratitudeAmbassadors

The WORLD GRATITUDE SUMMIT which is an online summit will be happening on October 19, 2019. Some of the confirmed speakers during the WORLD GRATITUDE SUMMIT are:

1. Jack Canfield
2. Dr. John Demartini
3. Joy and Kim of The Grateful Box
4. Margie Warrell - Bestselling author of Find Your Courage
5. Georgian Benta of The Gratitude Podcast
6. Pritesh Sankhe of the Gratitude app
7. Pam Grout - NY Times bestselling author of E-Squared and Thank and Grow Rich
8. Shaen Yeo - Happiness Scientist
9. Lisa Ryans - Bestselling author and award-winning speaker
10. Dr. Peggy De Long - The Gratitude Bracelet
11. Bavani Periasamy
12. Jason Evert
and so on.

So, what are you waiting for? Deadline of application is on September 5, 2019.

Apply via this link: bit.ly/WorldGratitudeAmbassadors

Is the Government Complaint Hotline 8888 really working?

The National Citizen's Complaints Hotline, also known as Hotline 8888 was launched last August 1, 2016. One will be able to access them via email or call using their home and mobile phones. It is free of charge for PLDT and Smart/ Sun subscribers while there is a Php 5 charge for Globe subscribers. Since I am a Globe subscriber and do not want to incur additional charges, I opted to contact them via email at email@contactcenterngbayan.gov.ph

If you are wondering if our complaints against the government have finally stopped from falling on deaf ears, let me share with you a personal experience with the Citizen's Complaints Hotline. 

This is not the first time I had encountered problems with Philpost or the Philippine Postal Service. In 2015, a friend from the US sent me an audio CD. I paid Php 100 for "taxes" but was surprised that my parcel was actually empty. My friend told me that she is 100% sure that she was able to send them but it has simply gone into thin air just like magic. I tried to raise my concern but they said they could not answer me. 

Early last year, I signed up but with Procter and Gamble's Everyday Me program - a sampling site for the latest P&G products. I was lucky to get some samples but most of the time the samples that they send do not reach me, I contacted customer support and was told that it was shipped via our local post office and we can simply get in touch with them to follow-up. I called my local post office and said they would check. Tried this multiple times but I just got tired and never got them. I simply gave up. 

Then, last July 22. AIP sent me GCs as a reward for participating in their surveys and to my dismay. It was not delivered to me again. It was sent last July 22 and should be delivered in 1-2 weeks. After the second week of waiting, I called our local post office and asked for the status. I provided them my reference number (since this is a registered mail) but they said they have no record of it. I was advised to call again when the delivery man is in the office to check the status only to be told that they do not have a record of it. I was advised to call back again after a few days to check if this mail has been forwarded to them. After multiple calls (more than 20), I was informed that nothing was forwarded to them and I need to check with the sender or the post office where the mail was sent. 

Since my mail was from Cebu and it would be really hard to follow up with them, I decided to ask for help from Hotline 8888. 

Here is the timeline of what happened: 

10.03.16 - I sent an email to Contact Center ng Bayan asking for their help. 

10.04.16 - They acknowledged my email and gave me a reference number. 

11.10.16 - I received an email from the Cebu Central Post Office asking for more details about my complaint. 

I had a series of email exchanges with Cebu PO. I was informed that my concern will be forwarded to a different post office in Cebu where my mail was processed. Honestly, by this time, I have lost interest in my missing parcel. It was not really that valuable that I can just let it go. Though inside of me, I feel that it is our right to have decent postal service in the country. With the rising age of e-commerce, it is about time that we have a reliable and trusted postal service from the government. 

12.29.16 - I was surprised to get an email with a very long attachment. As you can see, it has been 3 months since I sent my initial complaint. I thought they have forgotten about my complaint or my concern was never forwarded to the other post office. 

But I was wrong. During these times that I did not hear from them, I am so happy to say that my/ our government is working. Here are the other things that happened:

11.14.16 - This is the last day of my email exchange with the Cebu Central Post Office and Mr. Potian immediately sent a letter to Mandaue Central Post Office regarding my concern and sent them all the information that I have provided to them. 

11.17.16 - Mandaue PO sent an email that this has been forwarded to Bacolod PO and they provided a waybill number and other proof that it was indeed forwarded to my local post office. 

11.29.16 - Civil Service Commission wrote to the Acting Postal Area Director regarding my complaint to follow-up and to ask them to act on this matter and requesting for feedback in 5 days after receipt. 

12.01.16 - A report to the Department Manager for Central and Eastern Visayas regarding my complaint including the results of their investigation was submitted. 

12.28.16 - A certification was issued about the status of my lost mail which I can use once I go to Bacolod PO. I need this because for the longest time they have been telling me that no mail reached them. 

12.29.16 - I receive all these updates about my complaint. 

- case closed - 

It may take a lot of time to get a resolution but I am glad someone is acting on these complaints no matter how small or big it is. After a few days, I was notified by the sender that they got a returned mail and that they would resend my missing mail.  

Coincidence? I do not think so. I think they have to do something about my missing mail because finally, the government has stopped being blind and deaf to all of these inefficiencies and complaints from ordinary citizens. These irregularities are no longer tolerated and it is about time that we are all treated as first-class Filipinos. 

So, if you think you have issues or suggestions, don't hesitate to contact hotline 8888. They are very helpful and they are really working. 

Do you have similar stories? Please feel free to share below. :)