THE RECENT DOWNTURN of the nation’s economy
has affected most people’s pockets in one way or
another. As a reflection of the economic times we
have to take a second look at our usual expenses and
figure out where we can cut back on our spending.
However, when it comes to one’s health there is a limit
to how much you can cut back because the true foundation
of wealth is good health. Having said that here
are a few tips on how to stay healthy even when times
are tough.
• PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE÷ It’s always wise to
look after what you have so you don’t lose it. Don’t get
careless with your health. Avoid excessive smoking,
drinking, unprotected sex and high risk behavior to preserve your gift of health. Take on preventative
measures and medication whenever possible. Protect
your home from mosquitoes and other pests so you
don’t have to pay for treatments that could have been
avoided.
• MAKE YOUR GROCERY BUDGET SUPPORT YOUR HEALTH÷Even though
costs are rising, food is
still the least expensive
form of medicine there
is. And since you have to
buy food anyway, why
not choose foods that promote health rather than
detract from it? Your grocery budget can do doubleduty
as a health maintenance fund if you make a conscious
commitment to buy only foods that support
health. World is blessed with wholesome diet and get the most from nutritious
meals developed from your savvy grocery
• DON'T SKIP YOUR MULTIVITAMIN÷
Daily multivitamins are
essential to health maintenance
especially as we age.
Most of us don’t get all we
need from our food, particularly
when we’re under stress and eat
poorly. It is recommended that women
take nutrients, such as Vitamins A, B, C, D
and E, and Omega 3 fatty acids to help
prevent diseases and illness. Also for
women hoping to get pregnant don’t
forget to take your pre-pregnancy vitamins
to give your body all the help it
needs to prepare for motherhood.
• GOOD SLEEP HELPS÷
shed the day’s stress and
restores energy. It also
helps us detox and repair
our body, mind and soul.
It is essential that you get at least seven
to eight hours of good solid sleep in a
comfortable bed to feel brand new in the
morning.
• WASH HAND REGULARLY ÷
and practice
good general
hygiene can greatly
reduce the transmission
of disease and infections. The
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention says that “keeping your
hands clean is one of the best ways to
keep from getting sick and spreading illnesses”.
• GIVE YOUR LIFESTYLE A BOOST÷ New,
healthy lifestyle habits can also improve
your health and make
•HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY÷. For the bills you simply won't be able to pay for a while – a long while – Love suggests calling your creditor. "Just call and admit it," he advises. "Say, 'Hey, I've got a problem, and I want to let you know that I'm not ignoring you. I just don't have any money.'"
Love adds that this may not work so well if you're calling a large creditor like a national bank that issued your credit card, but smaller businesses will probably work with you or hound you a little less.
• REDUCE STRESS THROUGH NATURE FILLED EXERCISE ÷Book a regular date with a
friend to take a walk or go jogging
together at a nearby park or scenic environment
and enjoy
nature and catch up
good old gossip and
keep fit at the same
time!
•ASK FOR HELP÷. If things are really bad and you just can't pay someone on time, call and work out an arrangement that will create breathing room. For instance, Hoebbel says he and his wife have one with the electric utility. "We're on the final month of paying so that we will be caught up in December," he says.
You may be pleasantly surprised with the help you can get, Love says. He had a client who declared bankruptcy and was financing a car at an 18 percent interest rate. He convinced the woman to approach a local credit union, where she was able to get a new loan for 9 percent. But it should be noted that the credit union knows her CPA. At this point, her bankruptcy was three years in the rearview mirror. It isn't as if everyone in a financial mess can refinance their car or house and get lower payments. Yet if you haven't tried to refinance, and especially if you have good credit or at least a few years of on-time payments, you may have a better shot at refinancing than you think.
• CREATE FAMILY TIME IN YOUR HOME÷ If
you constantly worry about balancing
family and work life try creating a family
ritual. Agree on a time the family sits
together for at least an hour a day in one
room at a particular time. Whether you
all agree to watch the 9 oclock news or
the family’s favorite TV show together
you are creating family time that will
help you bond with your family and give
a better insight into everyone’s day.
It
will also help you cut your Electricity and
diesel bill as you turn off the lights in the
other rooms and congregate in one
room. Family time is a great way to
reduce stress and remember what is
most important in life.