5 Cost-effective ways to safeguard your health
At Libertine Consultants, we spend a lot of time helping clients to revise their household budgets to make their financial lives easier. This is why we know that one of the first things that normally fall by the wayside when our clients struggle to keep up with their bills is self-care. However, this is actually one of the most important things you should be focussing on when you are going through periods of immense personal strain.
Fortunately, there are simple, cost-effective ways to safeguard your health that does not have to include expensive supplements, gym contracts or trips to the doctor. Here are a few things you can do at home to take care of your health without breaking the bank:
Keep an eye out for lumps and bumps
October is breast cancer awareness month, so we thought we’d start out with one of the simplest things a woman can do to safeguard her health – regular breast exams. It’s a scary thing to think about, but when breast cancer is caught early on, it is completely curable with the right treatment. Not sure how to do a self-exam at home? Have a look here.
Make a point of moving more
Studies have found that as little as 30 minutes of exercise per day can aid in weight loss, reduce stress, boost your mood, improve your energy levels and memory, and so much more. You don’t need to run marathons or enter an Iron Man competition to reap these benefits – simply lacing up your takkies and taking the dog for a walk will do the trick. Just get moving and try to have some fun while you’re doing it!
Keep well hydrated
Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Health authorities commonly recommend 8 glasses of water per day for a full-grown adult, which adds up to about 2L, but if you can push that up to 3L it’s even better. Keep a water bottle handy and sip on it throughout the day.
Herbal teas are another good option – our local rooibos tea have an array of wonderful health benefits and it tastes great as an iced tea in summer as well. Steer clear of caffeinated and carbonated beverages; these actually draw moisture out of the body.
Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables
One of the simplest ways to stay healthy is to eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Buy the produce that is in season to get the best prices and nutrient value. The recommended amount of fruit and veg used to 5 portions per day, but the World Health Organisation recently amended this recommendation to bring it up to 10. Here’s a good guide to portion sizes.
TOP TIP: Struggling to get all your fresh produce in? Whip up a smoothie for breakfast (you can cram at least a banana and two cups of spinach in there), and make a big batch of vegetable soup to keep in the fridge for snacks and meals throughout the week.
Practice meditation
Meditation holds countless health benefits, including the promotion of emotional health, the reduction of age-related memory loss, curbing addictions and controlling anxiety. Not sure where to start? Here’s a simple how-to guide.
Following these guidelines will allow you to safeguard your health without spending extra money. Keep an eye on the blog in the coming weeks and months for more expert insight into all things budget-related. In the meantime, feel free to reach out to a member of our Libertine Consultants team to find out more our debt services and credit services. We are here to help you pave the way to a more prosperous future.
