These days, it seems like a new wellness trend
is popping up every week. Magazines, bloggers and celebrities seem to regularly
tout the benefits of pricey superfoods, expensive supplements and treatments
that cost an arm and a leg. The truth is that being healthy doesn’t need to
cost a fortune.
Here are a few ways to stay healthy on a
budget:
Eat
plenty of fruit and vegetables
Many people spend a fortune on expensive
supplements or programs, without meeting the daily recommended servings of
fruit and vegetables. Ensuring that you have a diet that’s packed with
nutrient-dense whole foods is a great way to make sure your body is getting all
the vitamins and minerals it needs to function correctly. As a minimum aim to
eat five serves of vegetables and two serves of fruit daily. And buy produce in
season to save even more.
Buy
frozen produce
Not everyone can afford to purchase fresh
organic produce; what’s important is making sure that you’re consuming a
variety of different fruit and vegetables. Whether they are fresh or frozen is
entirely dependent on your preference and budget. There’s nothing wrong with
having a good supply of frozen fruit and veggies on hand to fortify your diet
with nutrients. In fact, they can be just as nutritious as fresh - if not more
so, as they are often quickly frozen after being picked, so they retain their
nutrients.
Keep an
eye out for bargains
One way to save money on fruit and vegetables
is to keep an eye out for discounted produce. One way to do this is to visit
your local markets at the end of the day when sellers will often reduce the
cost of their products to ensure that they are sold by the close of business.
Another option is to purchase ‘ugly’ produce.
These misshapen fruits and vegetables aren’t considered ‘market worthy’ and are
therefore sold at a lower price. Despite their appearance, they are equally
nutritious as regular produce. Not only will your wallet thank you, but so will
the planet, as you’re preventing unnecessary food waste.
Get
your fitness for free
You don’t need an expensive gym membership to
stay fit. Walking, running, hiking, swimming and bodyweight training are all
free or low-cost ways to move your body and keep healthy. Not only does regular
exercise help to maintain a healthy weight, but it’s also excellent for your
heart, immunity and total wellbeing. Plus, by exercising outdoors, you’re
exposing your skin to sunshine, allowing your body to boost its Vitamin D. Just
be careful which time of day you do your exercise outdoors! Try to get at least
thirty minutes of activity every day to stay healthy and well.
There are also lots of different ways to move
your body from the comfort of your home, including workout videos, yoga, dance
and plenty more. Check out our tips on at home exercises to get you moving for some
ideas.
Get
enough sleep
When it comes to health and wellness, the
importance of sleep can’t be overstated. Getting enough sleep can help us to
think clearly, maintain healthy body weight, increase our ability to fight off
infection and disease, manage our stress levels, and much, much more. This
incredibly valuable resource is readily available to us all and doesn’t cost a
cent, so make sure you’re getting eight hours of sleep per night to stay
healthy. If you find it challenging to get to or stay asleep, be sure to check
out our tips for a better night’s sleep.
Relax
and recover
Chronic stress wreaks havoc on our body,
causing an array of different problems for our physical and mental health.
Keeping stress levels to a minimal or at least manageable level will do wonders
for your health. You don’t need to invest in massages or expensive treatments
to keep stress at bay. There are lots of ways to manage stress that are low
cost or completely free. Deep breathing exercises, meditation, journaling,
reading, spending quality time with family and having a laugh are all
activities that can help to reduce stress and help to keep you happy and
healthy.
Switch
to generic brands
Many products are available as generic brands.
Everything from pasta to skincare products is usually available at a lower
price under a generic brand - so shop around to make sure you’re getting
quality products at an excellent price. Even medicines, both prescription and
over-the-counter are available at a lower cost under a generic brand. If you’re
in doubt or unsure, speak to your local Capital Chemist pharmacist.
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