Healthy living on a budget can sometimes be frustrating when you are faced with expensive gym memberships, outrageous grocery bills, and the cost of keeping up with healthcare. Often, it is cheaper to grab fast food and skip those regular checkups, but where does that leave us when it comes to our physical and mental health? The stress related to financial concerns combined with an inability to take care of ourselves can be overwhelming, so it is important to look for ways to make healthy living attainable.
You can start by seeking out resources that will help you get your life on track. You can also consider how certain healthy lifestyle changes can actually help you save money. Below are a few things to think about when you are ready to make positive change:
What are your shopping habits?
When it comes to eating healthy, the way you shop plays a major role. Buying organic foods and lots of fresh items can become pricey, but you can cut costs by couponing, making a detailed list and sticking to it, and buying frozen vegetables for some meals rather than all fresh. You can also buy nonperishable foods in bulk, such as brown rice, quinoa, and beans. These can be added to soups and other dishes for protein and beneficial whole grains, and they will last a long time on the shelf.
It is also a good idea to look for ways to cut down on food waste at home. This can be achieved by utilizing meal planning or prep, saving organic materials to make soup stock or compost, learning to make the most of use-by dates, and investing in a freezer system so you can store items the right way and prevent food loss from freezer burn.
Grow your own!
Love eating fresh but hate the expense? Consider growing your own vegetables at home. Not only are most seeds pretty inexpensive, you can grow the items you use the most and have them ready and waiting right out in the yard when you need them. Of course, not everyone considers themselves a gardener, but there are several fresh options that are easy to grow even for those without a green thumb, including lettuce, spinach, and green beans. If you don’t have much room in your yard, you can utilize a hanging planter for things like grape tomatoes, or portable planters for items that don’t need a lot of space (such as cilantro). Double bonus? You will save money on your grocery bill.
Find a workout you truly enjoy
Eating well is a crucial aspect of staying healthy, but it is also important to get moving, especially if you have a sedentary job. Many people enjoy a gym environment because it helps them stay motivated, but you don’t have to spend money on a membership to find a workout you enjoy. Dancing, running, playing a sport, hiking, yoga, swimming, and biking are all great ways to Stay Fit that won’t limit you to a gym, and you can do them with friends or family for even more benefits. Not only that, doing something you enjoy can help you stay motivated so you’ll keep up with it.
Take control of your wellness
While eating healthy and getting active is crucial, it is important not to neglect your overall wellness. Staying on top of things like yearly checkups and exams is essential as we get older, especially if you have a family history of certain issues. The good news is that you don’t have to spend a lot of money on preventative care; simply utilize a no-cost wellness app, free vaccinations, technology such as a step tracker, or a wellness program provided by your employer. And if your schedule makes it difficult to attend office visits with your physician, you can schedule a doctors appointment online through a popular telehealth platform. This connects you virtually with a board-certified physician who can assess your health needs and even write prescriptions if necessary. Plus, oftentimes same-day appointments are easy to book. Many platforms take most insurances, meaning you only have a copay and a membership fee. The more control you have over your overall health throughout the year, the more you can avoid costly visits to the doctor.
Take a look at your environment
Finally, your environment also has a major impact on how you feel and whether you are able to take care of yourself. For instance, a home with a lot of clutter can create feelings of anxiety or depression, while a bedroom with too many devices can lead to sleep disturbances, which comes with a whole host of issues in itself. Take steps to clean, declutter, and organize each room in your home. Utilize DIY cleaners instead of pricey store-bought versions; these work just as well and cost a fraction of the price. Not only that, they are chemical-free, so you will have peace of mind that they won’t interfere with your wellness journey.
Taking steps to live better through healthy lifestyle choices can be challenging at first, but once you try a few simple changes, you may wonder why it took you so long in the first place. Look for support from friends and loved ones to stay motivated, and utilize as many free or low-cost resources as possible.
Stephanie Haywood is happy to be living her best life. Personal development and self-care gave her a boost when she needed it most, and now she works to share the gift of self-knowledge, self-care, and self-actualization with everyone who visits MyLifeBoost.com.