Now that the economy has officially nose-dived, many of us are finding ourselves strapped for extra cash and having to forgo many of the luxuries we grew so accustomed to. Our clothing, shoes, entertainment & food budgets are either shrinking or gone, forcing us to do away with what we want and focusing instead on what we need. You may have said bye-bye to your new spring shoes, weekly night out, or extra cable package but your health does not need to suffer. Yes that’s right, you can cancel your gym membership, cut you’re your grocery bill, forgo your excessive vitamin habit and still improve your health. There are plenty of ways to remain healthy even when you are forced to cut-back. Here are our tips on recession proofing your health:
1. Educate yourself about the grocery store
One of the most important tips when cutting back your grocery budget is to remember that you can still eat as healthy (or even healthier) when you are on a tighter budget. No one said in order to save money you have to live off Ramen soup & crackers. So before going to the grocery store, make sure you look at all the different circulars and plan your weekly menu around what’s on sale. Often, organic groceries are included in the sale items. And if they are not, determine which groceries are most important to buy organic. I choose to spend a little extra money on organic meats and dairy and to make up for it by passing on other snacks I can do without. Cut out your favorite chips or cookies (even if they are cheap) and spend the money on fresh fruit and vegetables. Recently I came across a study on the health benefits of bananas and how not only are they a great source of energy but they also help in fighting depression, PMS, anemia, constipation, morning sickness, ulcers, stress and obesity. Better yet, bananas are usually one of the most inexpensive fruits in the grocery store.
2. Go back to basics when exercising
A shrinking bank account doesn’t mean you have to put away your tennis shoes and tuck away your yoga mat. There are plenty of ways to exercise that don’t involve expensive classes, memberships, or fees. Take for instance going for a run, hike, or walk around your neighborhood. Studies show that these are some of the best forms of exercise as 30 minutes a day can lower your cholesterol & blood pressure, manage your weight, improve your mood, boost your immune system and prevent/control diabetes. You can find various types of free workout videos and routines from top trainers and professionals on websites like Shape.com and Yogichocolate.com. Most of the time these exercises can be done right on your living room floor and require no equipment.
3. Limit your time reading & watching the news
Everyday we hear of more jobs being lost, more companies going under, and more problems on the horizon. For your own sake, make sure you limit the amount of time you spend reading and watching the news. Yes it is important to be aware of what is going on but it is also important to not let it engulf your life. Turn off the TV, put away the newspaper and do something more productive. Read a book, play a board game, write a story, draw a picture, visit the library...do whatever it takes to find peace and happiness.
As Virgil once said “The greatest wealth is health.”
Do you have more tricks for staying healthy on a low budget? Share them with us!
