While healthy living often comes at a cost, you do not have to break the bank to start and keep going.
Yes, you can lead a healthy lifestyle without splurging all your savings.
Sometimes, you only need a little effort, creativity, and determination to kick off a healthy lifestyle. Starting with what you have can help you keep some diseases at bay and stay fit into your old age while maintaining great cognitive function.
If you are looking for frugal health and wellness tips, you have come to the right place. Keep reading for frugal, healthy living tips you can implement at home.
1. Do Home Workouts
You can visit a gym or stick to workouts when it comes to keeping fit. However, if you are operating on a budget, consider going for home workouts instead of subscribing to the gym services.
Some of the home workouts you can do during your free time include squats, planks, lunges, burpees, and rope jumping. You could also go for hiking and nature walks to keep fit. Home workouts can help you keep your physical and mental health in check. You could also customize them for weight loss and other fitness goals.
2. Meal Plan
Meal planning is not just great for saving money. It can go a long way in helping ensure you eat healthy.
Failing to plan your meals often ends in you consuming unhealthy foods. The last-minute rushes may result in ordering junk for takeout or making a quick yet unhealthy fix at home.
To avoid last-minute rushes, develop a weekly meal plan, cook healthy meals, and stick to it. This way, you will maintain your health while saving your money.
3. Cook at Home
Eating out may sound like a fun and convenient idea for many. I mean, no meal preparation and after-cleaning hassle. Who wouldn’t want that?
Well, other than coming at a hefty price, eating out does not always guarantee that you are getting a healthy meal. Save yourself the money and unhealthy eating, choose healthy ingredients, and prepare your own meals.
Cooking at home is a cheaper option as natural food items are typically more affordable than prepackaged foods. Also, these natural foods are healthier as they contain tons of essential nutrients for your body.
4. Mindfulness and Meditation
Are you grappling with conditions such as anxiety, depression, and pain? You should consider practicing mindfulness and meditation at home. All you need to do is sit in a quiet place alone and then focus more on your breathing or sensations in your body.
If your mind starts wandering off, try returning it to the present moment. Ideally, I would put aside at least 20 minutes daily to meditate. Keep going for 45-60 days for improved mental well-being. Since this idea comes at zero cost, it is effective for those who want to maintain their health and wellness on a budget.
5. Have Enough Sleep
We live in a world where working long hours and sleeping less and less has been normalized. Consider having at least 8 hours of sleep every night for your mental and physical health.
Sleep is very essential for your body. By getting adequate sleep at night, your body can relax and revitalize. This way, you can face the following day with courage and confidence. Additionally, you will become more productive at the workplace or school.
6. Engage in Outdoor Activity
You can flex your muscles and improve your overall fitness by engaging in outdoor activities such as jogging or even running.
Depending on your preferred outdoor activity, you can schedule them early in the morning or late in the evening. The good news is that you will not need to part with a dime to jog or even run within your neighborhood.
Other than keeping you fit, outdoor activities allow you to breathe fresh air and connect with Mother Nature.
7. Compare and Contrast Health Insurance
Just like any purchase, before making that payment, ensure you compare and contrast different health insurance to select the best deal.
Look at several factors before selecting your health insurance. For instance, how vast is its network of hospitals? What are the plans offered? What are the coverage benefits? Does it offer customization?
Do not just settle on the first option you get. There is likely a better deal out there.
8. Quit Alcohol and Smoking
Alcohol and smoking are some of the habits that can affect your health negatively. From causing various health conditions such as liver cirrhosis and lung cancer to draining your money, many problems come with such bad habits.
For a healthier lifestyle, quit alcohol and smoking. It may take a lot of effort, but your health and pocket will thank you when you eventually get it done.
9. Mindful Eating
To lead a healthy lifestyle, you must be mindful of what you eat. For instance, taking too much sugar or carbohydrate-rich foods can cause rapid weight gain. If this is not checked, it can be detrimental to your health. Too much sugar comes with many other health implications; watch out.
Additionally, sugary foods are very addictive and can make you unknowingly spend more over time.
If you want to safeguard your health and save more, ensure that you keep an eye on your meals. Maximize proteins and vitamins and reduce the intake of carbohydrates and sugars.
10. Preventive Care
Don’t wait for health conditions to get out of hand for you to start looking for professional care. For instance, do not wait for a dental cavity to become serious before booking that dental appointment.
Such emergency treatments will cost you a lot of money. Instead, make it a habit to visit your dentist at least once or twice a year. Such checkups can help catch and mitigate issues before they become more serious.
11. Be Outdoors for Plenty of Fresh Air
Step out of the house and office for fresh air. It is not just good for your respiratory system. Fresh air can be such a great mood booster.
Moreover, it can help increase your energy levels and lower your heart rate. Schedule time to get out every day and take in fresh air; it is free of charge. Your physical and mental health will love it.
12. Reduce Screen Time
Reduce the time you stay behind screens for a healthier physique and enhanced mental health. If you work behind a computer, you do not want to finish work and go straight to watching movies, scrolling on social media, or playing video games.
Cut down your screen time and find hobbies to keep you energized, fit, and active. With increased physical activity comes enhanced blood flow and healthier joints. Physical activities are also known to reduce the risk of heart-related diseases.
Besides, a lot of people report improving their mental health after reducing or completely cutting off social media.
13. Strengthen Your Brain as You Age
As you advance in age, you need to keep strengthening your brain. By doing so, you will be able to combat disorders such as depression and anxiety. Furthermore, enhanced mental activity, such as reading, has been shown to delay and reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s in old age.
Other than reading, you can also engage in puzzle-solving activities. All these activities are easy and will not strain your budget.
14. Build a Healthy Social Life With Family and Friends
A healthy social circle with family and friends can be an excellent opportunity to manage your mental health. Having someone to talk to can go a long way in working out things. Yes, therapy may be the best way out for mental health issues, but a circle of friends you can trust can come in handy, too.
Besides enhancing your mood, your circle of friends and family can promote some sense of belonging and safety that we all need.
15. Get a DIY Home Spa
Massage services offer many benefits, from increasing your blood circulation to reducing stress hormones. Unfortunately, paying for professional massage services can be a hefty price tag.
Instead of paying for these services, consider creating a DIY home spa. All you need is a room or idle in your house that offers a rejuvenating environment.
You can spend time here with your family, giving your body much-needed relief and relaxation. Take this chance to do your home skincare, pedicure, and manicure. It will save you so much in the process.
