It’s no secret; Australians are worried about the costs of health and medical care. In fact, 79 percent of Australians admit to being very or quite concerned about these expenses. But what can you do to keep these costs under control when so much of the cost is out of your hands?
The simple answer is to focus on staying healthy. So, how do you do that? By focusing on the points provided by Low Income Loans Australia
Eat Right
Nutrition provides the foundation for better health. By choosing the right foods, you can manage your weight and ensure you are getting the right mix of vitamins, minerals, and various nutrients.
Typically, fad diets aren’t going to pay off, especially when they are highly restrictive. In fact, some can be dangerous if they cut out key nutrients and may incidentally promote binge eating when you do become frustrated with limited options.
The easiest way to improve your diet is to focus on whole foods and by giving vegetables and fruit a priority. You can also work to limit the amount of processed food in your diet, stay away from added sugars, and choose lean meats over fatty options. Focus on achieving a balanced diet, and you’ll be more likely to stick to the new plan.
Exercise
Physical activity is a great way to help balance your calorie intake, build lean muscle, and improve cardiovascular health, and anything that gets your heart rate up may do the job. You don’t have to jump on the latest exercise trend or default to option like running to get fit.
Instead, choose an activity that you enjoy, but try to have a mix of aerobic and anaerobic activities to achieve optimal results. This can be as simple as taking a dance class and adding a few days of weight lifting to selecting a plan that automatically combines the two, like CrossFit.
Picking something that you consider fun is the best way to make sure you stick to the plan, so feel free to try a few options until you find one that makes you happy.
Get Enough Sleep
A surprising number of adults don’t get the recommended amount of sleep every night. On average, adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep to allow their bodies to recover and support their immune system.
The exact amount of sleep your body needs might vary from someone else’s, but finding a point within that window is ideal.
Get Your Checkups
Getting regular health checkups can actually lower your overall health care spending. Preventative appointments can identify issues early on, allowing for faster intervention. Often, these routes are less intense and costly when compared to acute care, so taking the time to get a physical can actually save you money over the long-term.
Make sure you don’t just focus on traditional medical care with your checkups, as dental and vision appointments are also highly beneficial when you are trying to support your overall health. So, find out your ideal schedule based on your age and gender, and do your best to stick to it.
Stat source – Choice consumer pulse: Australians’ attitudes to cost of living 2014-2017
