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Don't Worry, Be Happy: Is It That Simple?

1/21/2015

We live in a society that delays happiness. “I’ll be happy once I get that promotion.” “I’ll be happier when I have more money.” “Once I get that new car, I’ll be happy.” Sound familiar?

Happiness is something that we all strive for, yet many of us find it challenging to grasp and even harder to maintain. It’s time to start living in the “now” and finding a happier life. Here’s how:

1) EMBRACE YOUR MISTAKES
It is only natural that we make mistakes; it’s proof that you’re trying something new. Living in denial about your mistakes or getting wrapped up in your ego will only you make you miserable and block you from learning valuable lessons that will help you grow and improve. By embracing your mistakes, you will be able to forgive yourself. Happy people seem to intuitively know this, embracing mistakes as learning experiences and not judging themselves too harshly.

2) SURROUND YOURSELF WITH SUPPORTIVE PEOPLE
Even though this life can sometimes feel like an individual journey, we need other people around us in order to feel happy. In fact, research has indicated that social relationships are the strongest predictors of happiness, more than income or wealth. Social support is a huge indicator of happiness and well-being. People with perceived positive social relationships even live longer! So be social, surround yourself with people who make you feel good, and release those who make you feel bad.

3) PRACTICE GRATITUDE
Happy people can easily find gratitude in the world around them. They recognize that they always have something to be grateful for; it doesn't matter where they are, or what they’re doing! Each of us has a choice on how we focus our attention. Choosing to focus on being grateful for the beauty and uniqueness of life instead of the stresses and problems will make you feel happier, less stressed and less depressed.

4) MAINTAIN AN OPTIMISTIC ATTITUDE
Happy people tend to respond to negative events in a more optimistic manner than unhappy people. They recognize that negative events are temporary and limited in scope. Research has linked optimism with a plethora of positive outcomes including longevity, recovery from illness, overall physical health, enhanced coping skills and problem solving in difficult situations. So, when in doubt, look on the bright side!

5) SMILE MORE
It seems like a silly concept, but if you are feeling down or having a rough day, it is possible to cheer yourself up by simply thinking of a person, place or situation that makes you smile! Just the physical act of smiling alone will make you feel happier!

6) LEARN WHEN TO SAY “NO”
Happy people know that they must say NO to people, ideas, and behaviors that do not serve their highest good. Saying yes to everyone and everything can lead you to feel overwhelmed, increase your stress, and leave you less time and resources to take care of yourself! This is especially true when you agree to do things that do not resonate with you, or allow yourself to be pressured into situations you are uncomfortable with. Before you commit to anything or anyone, ask yourself, does this serve my highest good? If the answers is no, then learn to say NO.

7) TRY NEW THINGS
Happy people are not afraid to push their boundaries and try new things. People who engage in a variety of experiences are more likely to retain positive emotions than people who have fewer experiences. Sure it might seem scary at first, but what’s the worst that could happen? And hey if it doesn't go as planned, at least you still tried, didn't you?

8) PRACTICE FORGIVENESS
This one can be challenging, but when we hold on to anger, resentment and fear towards people, they are actually occupying a space inside of us, blocking us from feeling truly happy and fulfilled. “If we really want to love, we must learn how to forgive.” – Mother Theresa

9) UNPLUG & SPEND MORE TIME IN NATURE
Human beings were not designed to spend our day hunched over a desk with electronics plugged into our ears and eyes. We are meant to be spending time outside, away from the buzz of technology, the radiation from cell-phones and the blaring of screens. Time outdoors in nature has been linked to happiness because light elevates people’s moods, as does vitamin D, a byproduct of spending time outside. That explains why so many people get cranky in the winter…less vitamin D!

10) TELL YOURSELF, “I LOVE YOU!”
Years of being told by family, educators and especially the media that we are not good enough, not successful enough, not attractive enough, not capable enough and so on has left many of us feeling beaten down and unworthy. The truth is that no matter who you are and what has happened in your life, you are worth something! Psychologists have long known that self-esteem is intrinsically connected to happiness. One of the simplest things you can do is to look in the mirror every morning and say, “I love you!”

With these tips for a happier life, I hope that you find joy and peace. Live each day to the fullest and know that there are always better things ahead.

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How to Reduce No-Shows

1/21/2015

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Physicians have become all-too-familiar with “no show” patients. Chances are that this unfortunate occurrence is a result of the patient’s hectic schedule or maybe it just slipped their mind that they even had an appointment. Either way, it’s inconvenient and you just lost money as a result. So, what can you do to prevent this from occurring again? That’s simple:

Start using an appointment reminder service.

What is an appointment reminder?
Appointment reminders are automated notifications of a scheduled appointment. These notifications can be sent by phone, text message, or email.

How does it work?
Most automated appointment reminder services allow you to upload a list of customer appointments for the service to contact. Typically this list can be easily exported from your scheduling software. If you're still kicking it old school with a paper appointment book, not to worry! You can upload an Excel spreadsheet that you've created yourself. Once you've uploaded the file, the system will make the calls, texts or emails to your clients. Regardless of the notification type, your customer is able to confirm or cancel their appointment, saving you time and money.

What's the payoff?
The more appointments that are kept, the more money you make. You can expect to reduce no-shows by more than 80%!

Call us today to set up your appointment reminders!
(866) 737-1132

We think you should work smarter not harder. How about you?

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Does Your Mental Health Need A Boost?

1/20/2015

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"Mental health is an integral part of health;
indeed, there is no health without mental health."
-- World Health Organization

Promotions for weight-loss and exercise plans are constantly on the rise. We hear them every day and surely have tried many different methods of keeping physically healthy. But, have you ever given thought to your mental health?

According to The UK's Mental Health Foundation, good mental health is described as the ability to learn, form good relationships with others and express, manage and feel an array of positive and negative emotions. Individuals with poor mental health are at increased risk of:

cardiovascular disease
cancer
stroke
violence and crime
unhealthy lifestyles

Don't ignore your mental health. Take control!

1. Adopt a healthy diet

Most of us are aware that a healthy, balanced diet is beneficial for physical health. But following a healthy diet also has benefits for mental well-being. Your brain needs a mix of nutrients to stay healthy and function well, just like the other organs in your body.

2. Learn to manage stress

All of us experience stress at some point. It could be a result of work, relationships or money problems. No matter the cause, stress can take a toll on our mental health. However, there are ways in which we can reduce or manage stress to promote better mental well-being. For example, numerous studies have reported the stress-reducing benefits of yoga and mindfulness-based meditation. Another simple stress-reducer is staying positive! A 2012 study published in the journal Psychological Science found that smiling during stressful periods could actually lower the body's stress response, regardless of whether a person is feeling happy or sad!

3. Keep busy with meaningful work

Employment can cause stress, but being unemployed may be even more detrimental to mental health. That is because we need a purpose in life, a sense of belonging. We need to know that we are doing something that matters. According to the Mental Health Foundation, taking up voluntary work or adopting a hobby may be just as effective in promoting good mental health as holding a job.

4. Exercise regularly

Physical activity is important for all aspects of health, including mental well-being. Getting physically fit and achieving personal goals boosts our confidence and self-esteem and helps combat feelings of hopelessness, which can often come over us when we're feeling low. It doesn't have to be a long, dull treadmill session. Just get out there and get your blood pumping!

5. Get more sleep

Sleep problems can affect our mental well-being. In fact, people who have less than 5 hours sleep a night may be at higher risk of mental illness. The Mayo Clinic recommends going to bed and getting up at the same time every day - even at the weekends and during holidays - as a routine can boost the body's sleep-wake cycle, promoting a better night's sleep. You may also want to try a bedtime ritual, such as a warm bath or reading a book, in addition to sleeping in a cool, dark, and quiet room.

In just 5 simple steps, you could be on your way to better mental health and a happier tomorrow. Remember to take care of yourself in every aspect of your life and put yourself first once in a while!

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Why You Need A Vacation...NOW!

1/14/2015

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Some people just don't know when to take a break. Am I right?

Have you been feeling sluggish lately? Overwhelmed at work? Easily irritated? These signs of stress can indicate that you’re on the path to burning out, which can lead to depression, anxiety, and weight gain. And they may also mean that you're in serious need of a vacation.

Does any of this sound familiar?

You're always tired.
You're overwhelmed.
You can't concentrate.
You have a negative attitude.
You can't sleep.
You're always thinking about work.
You've lost your ambition.

Experts say it’s important to take care of yourself at the first sign of burnout to ensure you’re not working yourself into the ground. So, if you’re experiencing one or more of these signs - Give yourself a break!

If you haven't taken a vacation in a while, chances are you have every excuse in the book! As a professional medical answering service, we are familiar with our physicians' concerns.

They worry about costs of taking time off: The doctor does not want to have to pay extra for his practice to be handled while he is away.
They don't trust that patient needs will be handled correctly & efficiently: The physicians feel as if they must oversee all patient calls & inquiries to ensure the best advice is being presented to them.
They feel guilty: Our physicians want to make sure they can be there for patients in times of need and emergency.

Throw all of those excuses out the window, because Physicians First Messages, Inc. has a solution for every one of them! A vacation is just what the doctor ordered!

Save Money: Our services will never cost you more from day to day. We promise never to charge you extra for holidays, weekends, dial-outs, paging...anything! You will always pay only one flat rate. To make things even better, our service saves you money year-round because we guarantee at least 20% off your current live-operator bill!
Oversee Processes: We provide you with your own secure website that lists all the messages we have taken, so you will always be "in the loop." Never skip a beat by always knowing how your calls are being handled!
Be There For Your Patients: Never fear, PFMI is here! You let us know exactly how you want us to handle your emergency calls and we can take care of the rest. If you want to be contacted directly while you're away, we can make that happen at no extra cost to you!

Now...what's your excuse?
Call us today to get started:
(866) 737-1132

And before you know it, you'll be planning for some fun in the sun!

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How Are Those New Year Resolutions Holding Up?

1/12/2015

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Take a look at your list of resolutions for the New Year. Maybe you want to lead a healthier life, spend more time with your family, or just be more positive. But what about your answering service? Is that on your list of things to improve in 2015? We're here to tell you - IT SHOULD BE!

With a new year comes the desire to start fresh and if you're dealing with an unsatisfactory receptionist service, we can help! At Physicians First Messages, we believe that you & your patients deserve better!

IT'S NOT TOO LATE! MAKE THE MOVE TODAY!

It will help your business!
We can save you money while improving your customer satisfaction and giving you piece of mind with your practice.

It can help you commit to those other resolutions!
You'll have more time to spare when you don't have to worry about how your calls are being handled. Plus, you'll be saving money! Think about all the new tasks you can spend that new-found time and money on!

Begin with our service and start the new year off right!
CALL US TODAY AT 866-737-1132!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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Hear Our Thoughts

Don't Worry, Be Happy: Is It That Simple?

How to Reduce No-Shows

Call us today to set up your appointment reminders!
(866) 737-1132

Does Your Mental Health Need A Boost?

1. Adopt a healthy diet

2. Learn to manage stress

3. Keep busy with meaningful work

4. Exercise regularly

5. Get more sleep

Why You Need A Vacation...NOW!

How Are Those New Year Resolutions Holding Up?

Archives

Categories

Hear Our Thoughts

Don't Worry, Be Happy: Is It That Simple?

How to Reduce No-Shows

Call us today to set up your appointment reminders!(866) 737-1132

Does Your Mental Health Need A Boost?

1. Adopt a healthy diet

2. Learn to manage stress

3. Keep busy with meaningful work

4. Exercise regularly

5. Get more sleep

Why You Need A Vacation...NOW!

How Are Those New Year Resolutions Holding Up?

Archives

Categories

Call us today to set up your appointment reminders!
(866) 737-1132