The power of prevention

If you open an internet browser, turn on the news, or open a paper, you are likely to see or hear something about the cost of healthcare in the United States. It is outrageous, but while you wait for the government to do something about it, start doing something about it on your own. The best way to lower your personal healthcare costs is to take preventative steps against disease and illness. If you never get sick or diseased, you can worry a lot less about the cost of health care.

The cost to care for yourself when you have diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, or are obese are astronomical. So, learning to improve your health can greatly lower those costs. One third of the US population is expected to get diabetes in their lifetime. So, if you can lower that number, how much can you cut health care costs? More and more people are obese. Obesity means higher risk of heart problems, lower expected life span, and higher risk for serious problems such as diabetes. So, learn to control your weight and keep it at a healthy level, and your cost goes down.

There are many things you can do to better manage your own health, but the following are three of the most critical steps to

1. Physical activity. Physical fitness is going to make a huge difference in your health. It is going to mean a stronger heart, thus less chance of dying from, or being financially drained from the most common killer in the US-heart disease. It also mean lower blood pressure, high metabolism, lower weight, and you also just feel better. Exercise stimulates chemicals in the brain that make you feel safe, happy, and contented. Regular exercise is a wonderful way to improve your overall health, and is low to no cost. 30 minutes of exercise 5 days a week. Go for a walk, go for a swim, hop on your bike, play a sport, or do at home cardio, kick boxing, yoga, pilates, or any number of other exercise forms. There is something for everyone, and at every cost, so exercise to cut your healthy care costs, increase your life expectancy, and just enjoy life more.

2. Healthy eating. What you put into your body is going to make a huge impact on how well it runs. If you put orange juice in your car, it would not work. If you put water in it, again, it would not work. Your car needs gasoline. However, even in that, there are different grades, which can help your engine stay cleaner, run smoother, etc. Compare your body to your car. If you put low-grade fuel in your body, such as processed, refined, sugary, fatty foods, it will not run as well, or last as long. If you fill it up with good for you foods, such as fresh veggies, fruits, whole grains, legumes, and a balanced array of foods, it will work better, longer.

3. Avoidance. Avoiding things that are going to decrease your health can help you cut your costs. For example, avoiding alcohol abuse, drug abuse, over-eating, laziness, etc. You will stay healthier, avoid problems like diabetes, and get the benefits of not needing expensive healthcare.