Top 5 Ways To Stay Healthy On A Budget

Top 5 Ways To Stay Healthy On A Budget

Time, health, and money are three of the most fundamental components for us to enjoy life to the fullest. In an ideal world we wish we could have unlimited amounts of all these three in every stage of our life. However, real life it is not that ideal, leaving us wanting for at least one of these factors as we move through our life:

Youth: have the health and time, but not the money

Working adults: have the health and money, but not the time

Old age: have the time and money, but not the health

Anyway we have to keep ourselves balance, be happy with what we have and make full use of it. Always remember that money can always be earned, but lost health will be hard to regain, and lost time can never be recovered. 

Well, I beg to differ. I believe that with the right planning and practical methods, we can achieve all three. Taking care of your health does not necessarily have to be expensive or time-consuming.

Here, I share with you 5 quick ways to stay healthy on a budget:

1. Grow your own produce

Planting allows you access to technically “free” food. You can keep them organic and pesticide-free.

Allocate an area in your yard for plants or even trees. However, if space is a problem, you can designate a small countertop space near the window to place small pots of leafy vegetables or fruits. Or, if you live in an area where urban farming is encouraged, you can join the community to help plant different produce.

2. Buy smart

Fruits and vegetables can be expensive when bought off-season. Buy them in season; they aren’t just cheaper at that time, they also taste better. For quality (though not necessarily less expensive food), choose to buy from local farmers if you can. According to some buyers, the best time to go to a farmers’ market is about an hour before closing time. That’s when the vendors lower their prices even more.

For meat items, choose less expensive cuts. Instead of chicken breasts, try chicken thighs. They are tastier and cheaper. The same goes for pork belly, organ meats, and other parts. Don’t be afraid to buy parts with bones. They only look more expensive because the bones add to the weight, but they are also full of flavor. The bones can also be used to make stock soups, which means it can be made into another meal the next day.

3. Buy vitamins and supplements in bulk, sunscreens and lotions in big sizes

Vitamins are consumed every day, and so it just makes sense to buy a big tub of them to save money. Buying vitamins and supplements in bulk is cheaper. And since you take them daily, you will be finishing them before their expiration date.

The same concept is applied when buying lotions and sunscreens. We need these to nourish our skin and protect it from the sun’s harmful rays. Big sizes of these mean cheaper than regular, personal sizes. And again, you use them every day, so you are likely to finish the bottles before their best-before dates.

4. Go online to work out

Gym memberships are expensive, as are Pilates, aerobics, and Zumba classes. If budget is tight, however, you don’t have to spend a lot just to keep your body active. Look for free videos online in which you can join dance, aerobics, or other fitness program classes. YouTube has a lot of such free videos.

But if you want to stay offline when working out, walk or jog around your neighborhood every morning if you can. That would also give you a nice cardio workout. You can also do push-ups or squats while watching TV.

5. Do-It-Yourself with natural remedies

For minor aches like simple sore muscles, practice DIY techniques. Keep your muscles loose by applying simple self-massage using back massager. Set up your own relaxation time in a bathtub using essential bath oils instead of going to a spa. Do you need to get rid of toenail fungus? Try using over-the-counter topical ointments made specifically for nail fungi treatment rather than expensive prescription pills or surgery. Have a cold? Drink lemon tea.

The point is you can do all those things by going natural, which costs very little, and doing them yourself, which costs nothing at all. Keep in mind though that the aforementioned are only for minor ailments and everyday wear-and-tear physical conditions. If you feel that your condition is worse than normal, getting worse than before, and/or is better looked upon by a physician, go to a doctor immediately. Consult a professional as soon as possible. You cannot put a price on medical health.

Bonus: Do a mind-stimulating hobby

This might seem out-of-place here, but the truth is it’s important that you find something to do that would stimulate your mind. Some people take really good care of their physical health, but seemingly neglect their mental health. It’s unfortunate because mental health can drag your physical health down more effectively than anything else.

Pick a hobby that you enjoy. It can be playing a musical instrument or reading a book of any genre just anything that would get your mind working on your downtime. Avoid picking a hobby that is just an extension of your day job or something that would just stress you more. The idea is to do something you don’t really have to but you enjoy doing it anyway. If solving crossword puzzles or doing coloring books is what stimulates you, then go for it.

Always remember that money can always be earned, but lost health will be hard to regain, and lost time can never be recovered. If you think taking good care of your body is costing you financially, just compare it to the worries, headache, downtime, stress, and bills associated with dealing with health problems.

There is no better time than the present to be proactive and to use your available resources to achieve your optimum health. Do these steps now and look forward to many, many years of good health, time, and money to enjoy all the best things in life.