While browsing through the health food aisle at your local grocery store, you may feel that healthy living is too expensive. Although it is possible to spend tons of money on your health, it is also possible to improve your well-being on a budget.
Eat Well
Good nutrition is the foundation for a healthy body. Healthy food provides your body with the nutrition it needs for a strong immune system and healthy organs. Fortunately, there are many foods that are both affordable and nutritious. You don’t need the latest trendy superfood. Basic staples can provide you with the necessary nutrients. Some healthy options include:
- Beans
- Canned tuna
- Eggs
- Lentils
Other ways to lower your grocery bill include choosing generic brands, cutting coupons, buying in bulk, and consuming less meat. Beans, peanut butter, and other filling, high-protein foods are ideal for meat-free meals.
Eating home-cooked meals is often better for your health and budget than consuming restaurant food. Consider preparing meals in bulk and freezing them in single-serve containers so that you have convenient meals ready when you would normally order something.
Exercise Regularly
Fitness is an important component of health. Check your employee benefits to see if you are offered a discounted gym membership. If not, there are many ways to exercise without equipment. You can do bodyweight exercises or start a beginner's running program. Don’t forget to incorporate a stretching routine into your day.
If you want to buy equipment to use at home, there are many affordable options. Resistance bands, ankle weights, and jump ropes are useful and inexpensive. Later on, you may decide to buy bigger equipment. Check out yard sales and social media marketplaces for good deals on used items.
Visit the Doctor
Preventive wellness is important for overall health, and it is also important to visit the doctor when you are sick and not getting well resting at home. Unfortunately, doing so is often expensive. If you do not have insurance, visit a community health center for care, and check out the Health Insurance Marketplace. The Marketplace is an online service that helps individuals purchase health insurance and receive government subsidies. If your income is not high enough to qualify for a subsidized plan, you may qualify for Medicaid. Check with your state to determine eligibility.
Improve Your Finances
Data show that financial worries negatively impact both mental and physical health. Create a budget to help you improve your financial health. If possible, save a little each month to build up an emergency fund. Doing so lets you know that you can take care of many unforeseen expenses.
If you find that you need to make more money, you may want to pick up a side job. Some individuals may decide to start a wellness business that allows them to earn money and help others on their health journeys. For example, you may start a nutrition blog. If you have enough views, you may be able to earn extra money from advertisements. One way to help your business succeed is by creating a distinct logo that helps you stand out. Check out this free online logo maker that allows you to customize fonts and colors.
Health is valuable, but it doesn’t have to be expensive. A little research and planning go a long way toward helping you improve your wellness while sticking to a budget. Explore hellohealth® for more wellness resources.