10 Ways to Stay Healthy, Save Money and Have Fun!
The recent economic downturn has forced many of us to change our ideas about retirement. We may be working longer than we had planned. We may not have as much money set aside for emergencies as we’d like. Some of us may be stretched thin by medical bills. We might be cutting corners when it comes to caring for our health, which is unfortunate because now more than ever, we need to do everything we can to stay healthy.
Here are 10 things you can do which are guaranteed to improve your health, and maybe even save you money:
1. Take a comprehensive multivitamin daily. People who take a multivitamin take fewer sick days from work. They also live longer, because they are less likely to develop the chronic diseases that can cloud their retirement years. It’s a simple investment with major long-term payoffs.
2. Address things that “run in the family.” Your own genetic risks are reflected in the illnesses your parents and siblings have had. I know heart disease, osteoarthritis and depression are prevalent in my family, so I take omega-3s in the form of fish oil and glucosamine as a means of prevention.
3. Know your numbers and do something about them. This means cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar. Trouble can sneak up on you without any symptoms except changes in blood chemistry. I had my cholesterol checked recently and knew I needed to work to get it down to reduce my risk for heart disease.
4. Maintain an ongoing relationship with a doctor you trust. My doctor knows I take my health seriously, but that I am more likely to use lifestyle or natural remedies than drugs. He respects that and is willing to work with me. As a result, I am more likely to listen to what he has to say, and not neglect something that requires medical attention. “Waiting” on something serious can cost you more money, or even your life.
5. Pay attention to your digestion. A healthy digestive system reduces body-wide inflammation and makes you less likely to fall victim to GI viruses or chronic yeast infection. I use a fiber supplement every day and take probiotics for digestive support. And I’ve seen people’s so-called “heartburn” improve when they started taking digestive enzymes.
6. Brush and floss religiously. Dental work can be expensive and painful. Plus, people with gum disease are twice as likely to have heart disease, due to inflammation. Also, did you know that green tea fights dental plaque?
7. Stay away from cigarette smoke. Even secondhand smoke can cause bronchitis, pneumonia, heart disease and lung cancer. Even your pets get sick from it. Plus, a pack of cigarettes costs about $4.50. ‘Nuf said.
8. Exercise just about every day. As far as I’m concerned, you cannot overstate the health benefits of regular exercise, which include reduced risk for obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, arthritis, depression — you name it. You don’t need a gym membership to stay active. Take a walk, dance, garden, walk in place or just pump your arms while watching TV. Even shaking your whole body gets your circulation going.
9. Take extra vitamin D and calcium. The benefits of getting 1,000-2,000 IU of vitamin D a day are amazing. They include reduced risk for cancer, heart disease, fractures and falls — even depression and dementia. Plus, the combination of high-dose vitamin D and 1,000-1,200 mg of calcium a day really does help maintain bone density.
10. Make meals at home. Fast food, take-out and even fancy restaurant meals can have lots of hidden calories, mostly from fat. That’s why people who eat out a lot are more likely to be overweight. Eating home-made meals and travel snacks make it easier to control your weight and to get at least 5-a-day of fruits and veggies. I always keep ingredients on hand for a quick salad or sandwich, or a grab bag of fruit and nuts or cheese and carrots.
The Anti-Aging Bottom Line: The time to invest in your health is now! The long-term rewards of taking small steps daily towards acheiving wellness can be both physical, spiritual and financial. Just think of what you could end up saving in medical bills by maintaining your health throughout your retirement years. Prevention is key — research has shown that most of the health conditions which can affect your quality of life as you age can be prevented with exercise and good nutrition.
