GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

Fear is a powerful emotion that affects us in different ways. We all have been in a situation where we feel our heart racing, body sweating, and sometimes, even zoned out when anxiety starts kicking in. Unfortunately, many people ignore anxiety because it is not a “physical” illness. However, severe anxiety can impact a person’s ability to perform day-to-day tasks in the long run.

Diminutive yet powerful lifestyle changes can help in effective anxiety management. Many experts and professionals recommend a lifestyle-changing approach to tackle anxiety. In this space, we will focus on some of the best lifestyle changes to give you relief from the constant anxious feeling.

1. The shift towards a healthy diet:
Your brain needs sufficient nutrients to function properly. Lack of a healthy diet or nutrients can affect neurotransmitter production, triggering your anxiety symptoms. Therefore, switch to healthy food, including vegetables, protein, calcium, and vitamins. Furthermore, quit too many sweets and stay away from caffeine. Studies reveal that too much caffeine can trigger anxiety and worsen the symptoms.

2. Get involved in physical activities:
Professionals reveal that even a few minutes of exercise or physical activity a day can relieve anxiety symptoms and elevate your mood by releasing serotonin and endorphins in your brain. You don’t necessarily need to join a gym. You can start by taking a short walk, jogging, yoga, or basic exercises at home. In addition, you can also practice breathing exercises and sports activities, including swimming, dancing, or more.

3. Get sufficient sleep:
The importance of adequate sleep is well-known, and it indirectly impacts your mental health. An adult needs at least eight hours of daily sleep for healthy brain functioning. Contrarily, lack of sleep can affect your mood and trigger your anxiety.

4. Avoid or limit your alcohol intake:
Many people rely on alcohol to feel better. While it may please you in the heat of the moment, the after-effects of alcohol can aggravate your symptoms, making you highly vulnerable. Sometimes, “just a drink” can make you feel on edge the next day and disturb your sleeping cycle. If possible, stay away from alcohol, or limit your intake.

5. Keep an eye on your thoughts and emotions:
Feeling helpless, self-doubting, or having a negative attitude can impact the production of neurotransmitters in your body. Constantly indulging in negative thoughts and emotions can worsen your anxiety and even make you depressed. It also affects your immune system, making it worse for your physical health and inviting unwanted illness.

6. Don’t isolate yourself:
Being social can make you feel less lonely and elevate your mood, leading to a better social life. Keeping in regular touch with your friends, family, and loved ones will help you deal with anxiety as they can offer support and realistic approaches to managing your stress. Anxiety can sometimes make you withdraw socially, so try socializing with your friends, join a group or classes that you enjoy, sign up for a volunteering project, and more.

Anxiety can shake up your world inside out. When it starts making you physically weak, immediately contact your doctor to diagnose any physical conditions you are suffering from. The last two years have already been a stressful ride for all of us, and you don’t want to burden yourself with hefty medical bills. Therefore, having online health insurance can ease your pocket and give a sigh of relief. On your way to ensure your well-being, health insurance protection can help to go the extra mile.

Click HERE to get the best deals on online health insurance.

Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.

Motorcycles are a motorhead's most prized belongings. While some people use them for transportation, others use them for enjoyment and sports. Owning a motorbike requires taking care of it and ensuring that it is not damaged. Even when navigating challenging terrain, a well-maintained bike will not let you down. However, ignoring your bike may result in unnecessary damages.

Keeping your motorbike in perfect condition is as significant as owning it. To help you with that, we've discussed five essential points to keep your motorbike in good working order.

1. Changing your bike’s engine oil at regular intervals:
Multiple mechanical pieces constantly move and rub against each other in your motorcycle's engine every day. To ensure their best functioning and to reduce friction, you must lubricate them with motor oil. Unfortunately, dust and particles thicken the oil with time, reducing its lubricating power. Changing your motorcycle's oil every 2500-3000 kilometres helps improve performance and safeguard the engine from harm caused by outside elements mixed in with the old oil.

2. Checking the drive chain:
The drive chain is an essential component of your motorbike, and neglecting it is a call to a shorter service span. Inspect your drive chain regularly and ensure that the chain tension is correct. Lubricate it, particularly while it's heated. This allows the oil to flow and get into all portions of the chain, making it smooth for functions.

3. Taking care of your tyres:
You simply can't get anywhere without the tyres of your bike. The big rips or cracks on the tyres can cause them to lose friction. Check if the tread depth is within the approved limit. Don't hesitate to change them if you believe they are no longer safe.
Also, check the air pressure of the tyres regularly. The proper air pressure reduces or eliminates the possibility of a puncture, enhances bike control, and extends the life of the tyres.

4. Looking after the filters:
When your bike's air filter is congested, the engine has to work harder. Experts recommend cleaning the air filter using compressed air. If you realize that cleaning the air filter is becoming tricky, it is time to replace it. You must also ensure that the gasoline filter is clean and that the fuel lines are free of corrosion and cracks. You must repair them right away if you see any damage.

5. Checking up on your brakes:
Check brake fluid levels at regular intervals to ensure your motorcycle's brakes are properly functioning. Replace the brake fluid according to the manufacturer's instructions. In addition, you should check the thickness of the brake pads and replace them when needed.

Give your time to work on the above tips to keep your bike operating smoothly. This will help your 2 wheeler survive longer while giving you a comfortable and trouble-free riding experience.

Also, don't delay taking your motorcycle for regular servicing. Although this will cost you a few bucks, if you think of a longer run, you'll only benefit from it. Insurance is another way to take care of your bike. You may purchase 2 wheeler insurance online and choose the one with an attractive premium and additional features to safeguard your vehicle against any mishaps.

Click HERE to explore all the 2 wheeler insurance online plans.

Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.

Your vehicle’s dashboard is usually something you don't give much attention to. That's because, unless something goes wrong, it often appears the same every time you drive. Cars have thousands of moving components comprising dozens of linked systems powered by cutting-edge technology and sensors. With that much computing power on board, if any error occurs, your car will undoubtedly alert you about them.

All the warning indicators in your car are explained in detail in your car's user manual, but reading through it may seem like a chore to many. However, the warning lights are there for a reason, and knowing what they represent can prove to be the difference between a good trip and a breakdown.

Here are five warnings that appear on all vehicle dashboards that you should never ignore.

1. Engine warning indicator:
This indicator means there might be a problem with your engine's primary systems. This problem might be as minor as a faulty sensor or a damaged spark plug or as severe as a damaged fuel pump. This indicator blinks for a few seconds when you start your vehicle. If the indicator remains on or blinks continuously, it indicates a serious problem.

2. Oil pressure indicator:
This indicator means that your engine's oil pressure is low. This might also mean that you're keeping low on engine oil. If this light comes on, turn off your ignition right away. Oil's shortage can cause irreversible engine damage. Check the oil level once you've parked safely on level ground. Fill it up if it's below the required mark. If the oil level is adequate, this might indicate a problem with the oil pump.

3. Brake warning indicator:
This indicator shows that you have left the handbrake on. Still, if it continues to flash even after you release the handbrake, it might indicate a problem associated with the braking system. See a mechanic right away.

4. Battery indicator:
It signifies that the alternator responsible for charging your car battery is malfunctioning and cannot provide an adequate charge. As the cells degrade with time, it might also be an issue with the battery. With the alternator and battery functioning poorly, you should minimize its load by turning off systems like AC and LEDs. Find a mechanic at the earliest because there may come a time when your vehicle won't start at all.

5. Engine temperature indicator:
The indicator typically signifies either your engine is overheating, or your coolant level is low and needs refilling. When this indicator flashes, it’s best that you immediately come to a halt and allow your engine to cool down. Check your coolant level and search for any leaks once the car engine has cooled. If the coolant level is correct, this indicator trigger might be a sign of a more severe issue, such as a damaged water pump.

An overheated engine can distort, causing parts to fail. Avoid driving further and tow your vehicle to the mechanic to avoid further damage to your car’s engine. Your car insurance features like roadside assistance will help you get complete service in case of any mishap in the middle of the road. You can enjoy the benefits of car insurance coverage without spending money from your side.

While these indicators signal that something needs attention, there is typically no reason to be alarmed. Most warning indicators will not leave you stuck, so you can generally safely drive yourself to a service station. Remember that these indicators change across automobile manufacturers and even within the same manufacturer's models. It is best to check with your mechanic if something worrisome flashes on your vehicle dashboard before it gets you in trouble.

Click HERE to know more about different car insurance plans suited for your car.

Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.

Lubricating the car is essential to ensure your vehicle's overall fitness and functionality. The regular oil change is relatively an affordable maintenance task your vehicle requires, but the more important question is: How often should you change your engine oil? This entirely depends on the car’s usage. As a driver, you must look for typical signs your vehicle displays when it needs an oil change. You must detect the hints in advance to prevent them from developing severe damages.

This article will explain the top eight signs to heed that indicate an immediate oil change for your car.

• Check the oil change light. The engine sign will turn on if there isn’t enough oil in the engine. So, check the tank to discover what’s going on when the engine sign flashes.

• Engine knocking and noises. The oil acts as a friction barrier between engine components, preventing them from brushing and keeping the engine running silently. The engine noise will get intensified if the oil isn’t working perfectly.

• Change in the colour of the oil. The oil becomes darker and loaded with particles gathered from the engine as it gets utilized. Check your engine oil at least once every month by removing the dipstick from the oil tank. Make sure to wipe it clean before replacing it.

• Smoke from the exhaust. Your car’s exhaust always emits clear gas. But, if you observe smoke coming out from the exhaust, it’s time for a thorough engine inspection. It’s possible that you have a defective engine part or probably an oil leak.

• The odour of oil around the car. When you smell oil inside your vehicle, it’s usually a symptom of an oil leak. The car may overheat if you smell gasoline or vapours. In that case, you should schedule servicing right away after experiencing this.

• Excessive Travel. Consider an oil change quicker than the standard interval if you drive excessively. For example, you should change the oil every 10,000 km or half a year in new cars. For older cars, consider using high-mileage oil and change that every 5,000 Km.

• Fuel efficiency is poor. You would observe a decrease in fuel economy. However, this might indicate other issues with the fuel system, engine, or exhaust system. But an engine may fail to function if it isn’t getting adequately clean oil.

• The engine keeps stopping. If your car has been experiencing repeated engine difficulties, you should examine it. If your car stalls or feels like the engine seizes up at times, you might have low engine oil, poor oil, or an oil leak.

Only knowing how to drive a car isn’t enough; maintaining it is just as necessary. As with every other machine, your car won’t perform the best if not taken care of regularly. If you don’t change your car’s oil regularly, its performance can degrade quickly, resulting in catastrophic damage to your vehicle.

To avoid the consequences, you must watch out for indications that lead you to the warnings of an oil change. Like oil, your car insurance is another thing that needs continual renewal. Car insurances are financial saviours and are required when they are about to expire. Do not forget to check out your car insurance renewal dates and keep them updated to enjoy the uninterrupted benefits of the existing policy.

For your car insurance renewal, click HERE .

Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.