Investing in your health is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. But for those who are trying to stay within a limited budget, some aspects of health and wellbeing can seem impossible. When you start looking into all the different treatments and solutions available, you will find that many of them come with a cost attached. From therapies to workout programs, it’s difficult to achieve your goals totally cost-free. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t look after yourself well while on a budget. It just means you’ll need to prioritize where you spend your money, and find different ways to stay happy and healthy without splashing the cash.
1. Sleep Well
In a financial sense, sleep is one of the few things in life that is totally free. And it’s one of the most important things you can do for your health too. Getting enough good quality sleep can improve your performance at work, relieve headaches and tensions, and lift your mood overall. It has many of the benefits that come from massage treatments and other expensive therapies, but without costing you anything.
In fact, many health experts believe that other improvements being made to your health can easily be negated by a lack of quality sleep.
2. Prioritize What’s Important to You
Looking after your health is more complex than simply following some steps and tips. Only you will truly know what is going to make you feel happier and healthier. If you want to splash out every now and then on something that you know is going to make you feel better, do it. Plan ahead and put some money aside each month so that buying something with a heavy price tag once in a while can feel more manageable.
3. Explore Financing Options
For larger purchases, consider financing options available to you. This could enable you to get treatments or products that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford in one go. Common examples of this are invisible braces if you want to straighten your teeth or overbite. Rather than waiting and saving up before getting help with correcting your overbite, financing options can make it simpler and quicker. Suppliers such as ALIGNERCO offer options for monthly payments, allowing customers to spread the cost over a longer period. You can also reach out to different dentists to check what they have to offer. An internet search for terms like “dentist in midtown manhattan” should give you a list of options that you can reach out to.
Other procedures where people might benefit from financing options include corrective eye surgery and other forms of surgery, massage chairs for longer-term relaxation therapy at home, or large items of exercise equipment for your home gym.
4. Have Self-Pampering Evenings
When you can’t afford to pay for luxury treatments at the salon, block out some time in your diary and pamper yourself at home instead. You can cut the costs on self-care and pampering by painting your own nails, spending an hour in the bathtub, or listening to some of your favorite relaxing music.
You can also consider inviting friends to join you for a pamper evening. By doing this, you can take turns to give each other a massage or facial. Ask everyone to bring some food or drinks and you can easily split the cost of the evening between all guests.
5. Spend Time Outdoors
Exercise can boost your health in many different ways, and spending time in nature can improve your mood and overall wellbeing too. Going for a walk outside is a great way to combine both. Just like sleeping, spending time in nature is something that will cost absolutely nothing in financial terms, yet it brings many benefits to your body and mind.
If you’re lacking inspiration when it comes to spending time outdoors, try exploring a new place. Visit somewhere in your local area you have never visited, or walk further than you normally would. Ask a friend to join you on a walk or run, or consider camping out somewhere for the night.
6. Drink Enough Water
Water isn’t free of charge, but for many people it’s certainly a low-cost item. Not only does water keep you hydrated and refreshed throughout the day, but it helps to improve or maintain the health of your skin, nails, and hair too.
Use a water filter jug or other filtering device if you are drinking water from the tap. This works out much more cost-effective than buying bottled spring water, and it will save on the number of plastic bottles being thrown away or recycled.
7. Substitute Products for Natural Alternatives
While 100% natural products often come with a slightly higher price tag, the difference can be minimal. Cleaning products which have more natural ingredients may be only marginally higher in price than those that don’t. Similarly, toothpastes and all natural soaps can be replaced for more natural options that may not be noticeably higher in price.
Shop around to see how the costs would compare for you personally. This can be a great way to look after your health better while you’re on a budget, since some of these changes can be made without massively increasing your overall outgoings each month.
8. Be Social
When you’re trying to watch your bank balance, going out and socializing with friends might not seem affordable on a regular basis. However, there are many different ways to socialize with your friends and family without spending much money.
You can call friends and family on the phone at very low costs, and stay connected online through social media and other apps. You don’t have to speak to people every day if you don’t feel like it, but staying connected to people you know and love can help you to feel happier and healthier.
Rather than going out to a bar or restaurant, invite friends to visit you at home. Split the cost of a takeout and some drinks and enjoy each other’s company at a much cheaper price.
9. Listen to Podcasts
There are thousands of free podcasts available on the internet to download and listen to. These include audiobooks and stories, guided meditation and yoga sessions, life and career coaching, and lessons and lectures on all sorts of topics.
Some podcasts can be a great alternative to paying for workout programs or other audio programs. There are health and wellbeing podcasts which could help to supplement other therapies you might be paying for, such as counselling or talking therapies. This could help you to reduce the number of in-person sessions you pay for while still feeling like you’re able to make progress in between.
10. Plan Your Meals
Consuming nutritious foods is an essential part of looking after your health. When you’re on a budget, meal planning can make a huge difference. It can save you money by ensuring you only buy what you need and avoid throwing food away each week. It can also help you to budget easier by having a more accurate estimate of how much money you will be spending every month on food.
You can search for free meal plans online as well as thousands of free recipes and ideas. To further save money on your food shopping, check out different stores in your area to find out where the best deals are.
It’s certainly not impossible to look after yourself well while also keeping within a tight budget. Planning ahead and prioritizing what is important to you are important factors in managing your money well and taking care of yourself too.