Even though living a healthy lifestyle seems expensive, it really doesn’t have to be. You don’t need the high-priced Pilates memberships or daily wellness shots from the local juice bar in order to be a walking clean bill of health. In fact, there are plenty of affordable ways to avoid illness and live a thriving, healthy life. Implement the following tips to get started.
1. Free Exercise Options
In order to maintain a strong body, healthy heart and limber joints, exercise is essential. If you can afford the $10/monthly gym membership, make the investment. However, it’s okay to take advantage of free exercise options as well. YouTube is an incredible source that you can use whenever you’d like to take a Pilates class or enjoy a strength-training workout with your body weight. Download free fitness apps that coach you through how to run a 5K in record time.
2. Bulk Purchases
When it pertains to food, it’s always better to buy in bulk. It’s a cheaper option in the long run. Whether you’re stocking up on items like spinach, egg or toilet paper, know that buying in bulk will provide a better price for healthy foods.
3. Health Insurance Affordability
While the conversation surrounding health insurance is incredibly political, do your research in order to find options that work for you. By getting medicare quotes, you might be able to qualify for affordable coverage. As you remain diligent in researching and talking with insurance representatives, make sure you’re clear on what you need your coverage to include.
4. Frozen Produce & Seasonal Produce
When you’re looking to purchase produce, focus on two options: frozen and seasonal. Oftentimes, frozen produce gets picked when it’s the ripest. As it sits in the freezer, you can access it whenever you’d like. On the other hand, it’s nice to have seasonal, fresh options as well. When you’re looking to purchase fresh produce, focus on seasonal offerings. Visit your local farmer’s market to see the prices you can take advantage of. If you and your family visit a local orchard to pick berries, you can easily pick a bunch, wash them and freeze what you don’t use.
5. Off-Brand Medicine
Living in a capitalistic society, people often assume that the name-brand version is always better. Oftentimes, the name-brand version is the exact same as the off-brand version. This concept applies to purses, but it also applies to medicine. If you have a sick child who needs cough syrup, the doctor might prescribe a certain brand. Ask if there’s an off-brand/store-brand version of that cough syrup. Usually, it’s significantly cheaper yet just as effective.
6. Cleanliness
Germs get spread when there’s a lack of cleanliness. In your home, set certain rules around cleanliness. Upon entering the home, make sure everyone takes off their shoes and washes their hands. For children who’ve spent the entire day at school, consider setting bathtime as soon as they get home. This process helps to get rid of outside germs.
7. Stress-Free Lifestyle
Studies show that at least 75 to 90% of all medical visits are related to stress. Stress is known as a silent killer. In order to decrease your stress level, consider developing a stress-free lifestyle. Be intentional about getting adequate amounts of rest. Look for inexpensive mom-and-pop spas that offer massages at discounted rates. Massages help to loosen tight muscles and clear out stress. As the mental health conversation evolves, therapy continues to be more accessible to people through insurance coverage.
8. Sugar & Alcohol Limit
Alcohol is packed with sugar, and it can also be expensive. Replace your alcoholic beverages with smoothies and mocktails. Sugar is also a major culprit of diseases. Knowing this, start by decreasing your sugar intake significantly. Read the labels of your favorite foods. If you love to drink iced coffee from the local coffee shop, make it at home instead. It’s cheaper to make your own, and it’ll taste even better. When you make it at home, you can directly manage the amount of sugar you place in it.
Conclusion
A healthy lifestyle is often touted as an experience that’s reserved for those with money. While there are socio-economic factors that come into play (food deserts, insurance premiums, etc), it’s important to do what you can. This is especially important because it’s much more expensive to treat a disease than it is to maintain a healthy body with disciplined habits. With these habits, you’ll increase your chances of remaining healthy as you keep more money in your pocket.
As the editor of the blog, She curate insightful content that sparks curiosity and fosters learning. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, she strive to bring diverse perspectives and engaging narratives to readers, ensuring every piece informs, inspires, and enriches.
