Member Rating:
Healthy Habits Save Money
What you spend now to stay in good health could pay off big in the long run.
Ever made the excuse that you’re not working out because the gym is too expensive? Or you’re not eating right because fresh fruits and vegetables cost too much? While the upfront costs of healthy habits may seem prohibitive, the truth is that some simple measures could help you ward off chronic disease like diabetes, heart disease and osteoporosis —saving you thousands in the long run.
Here are seven ways to help protect your health —and your wealth.
Maintain a healthy weight. It’s easier said than done, of course, but if you need extra motivation to get to that spinning class, consider this: Excess weight increases your risk for many ailments, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, breast and colon cancers, hypertension, stroke, arthritis and sleep apnea, to name just a few.
Lift weights. Ladies, if you haven’t already, it’s time to embrace strength training. In addition to maintaining muscles and adding muscle mass, strength training fortifies bones —especially important as we age. Plus, increasing muscle mass boosts the number of calories you burn even when your body is at rest.
Manage stress. “Stress may impact cholesterol, blood pressure and sleep, and become a reason for overconsumption of food,” says Felicia Stoler, a nutritionist and exercise physiologist from Holmdel, N.J.
Consume antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids. Antioxidants may help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. Consuming them in foods like intensely colored fruits and vegetables or in drinks like wine and tea may help protect against conditions such as heart disease, macular degeneration, diabetes and cancer. Omega-3s —found in foods such as salmon, tuna, sardines, walnuts, soybean oil, tofu and flaxseed oil —may help reduce symptoms of hypertension and arthritis.
Get aerobic exercise. Working out may help prevent diabetes and high blood pressure —and, of course, helps keep extra weight off. Walking, running, jogging, swimming – whatever you like to do, get out there and do it for at least 45 minutes, three times per week.
Maintain dental health. Keeping your teeth in good shape is a matter of nipping a potentially big problem in the bud. “Get dental checkups to fix problems early,” says Cary E. Goldstein, a dentist in Atlanta. “A simple decay can grow rapidly into a larger cavity —and if it’s not fixed, a root canal might be required.” More alarming still: Evidence shows that periodontal disease may cost up to $10,000 to treat.
Quit smoking. “The number of unnecessary, premature deaths caused by smoking is equivalent to three jumbo jets going down every day,” says Jack Hollis, M.D., of Portland, Ore. Smoking puts you at risk for heart disease, and is linked to many kinds of cancer and reproductive problems.
Rate this article:
Post a Tip or Comment
SHARE
health challenge epidemic on the horizon! If only we could get the whole world to take one step in this direction!!!