The question of health care has been extremely important in debates and disputes concerning the current global economic crisis. Arguments over the socio-political dimensions of health care have been loudest in the United States, but are also prevalent in other places where government responses to the crisis have involved harsh austerity measures. With national arrangements for health care in such an unstable state, private citizens often have to rely on their own determination and ingenuity to find ways to maintain their health in these tough times. Here are some methods you can use to cut costs while not sacrificing your health.
1. If you smoke, quit. Firstly, the habit has many negative impacts on your health, which make it likely that you will be spending a lot of money on treatment somewhere down the line. Secondly, health insurance providers are well aware of these negative effects, and tend to charge smokers higher premiums. You can cut down on these costs if you do not smoke.
2. Exercise is an important part of staying healthy. Dieting for health or weight loss purposes should, ideally, also be paired with an exercise regimen. However, many people find exercising too inconvenient or expensive. One has to travel to the gym, get proper clothes and equipment, pay fees, and work exercise sessions into a busy schedule. These problems can be at least partially addressed by not relying on gyms and other similar formal arrangements. You can exercise at home, or in parks with friends. Run instead of using a treadmill. Play sports in a yard with other like-minded people. If you are able to make your own arrangements, you will find it easier to exercise cheaply and according to our own schedule. Even walking or pacing a little more in your daily life can create a great deal of difference over time. The resulting decrease in transportation expenses will be yet another way to cut costs.
3. Only take medicines if you really need them, and when you do, avoid taking unnecessarily strong doses or large amounts of medicine. The recent spate of high-profile celebrity deaths from prescription drug overdose shows the veracity of the saying that the only real difference from poison and medicine is the dosage. Resist the urge to follow the modern trend (sadly pushed by both patients and doctors) to treat every complaint with a lot of strong medicine. Adhering to this trend uncritically means that you will not only spend a lot of money on the drugs themselves, but will also have to deal with long-term side effects like kidney damage and weakened natural resistance to infections and illnesses.
4. Attend to your emotional health, as well. Depression and isolation can take their toll, increasing your risk of cardiovascular disease and weakening your resistance to infection. Of course, think very carefully before resorting to medicines/drugs to treat these ailments. Surround yourself with good, reliable friends and people who give you positive energy.
5. Make use of your relationship with your doctors. For example, try to negotiate for a lower professional fee for surgeries. If you need to go to the hospital, ask your doctor to suggest an affordable hospital, especially since many doctors nowadays have admitting privileges to multiple hospitals. Also, tell your doctor to keep your budget in mind if you need him/her to refer you to another physician for a particular ailment.
6. Keep in mind that saving money on health is not a one-time deal. No one way of doing things is perfect forever, even if you find that your current insurance policy, lifestyle, etc. suits you (and your budget) very well now. Make sure to look over your insurance policy every year or two. Ask yourself if new health problems have arisen the might need coverage, or if certain health issues that are covered now in your policy can be dropped.
For those who think getting old or reaching the age of 60 and beyond means slowing down, think again. Studies show that the decreased physical ability of the seniors is not merely just a result of getting old. The fact that people become less active as they age is very much a player in the trouble. If you want to keep yourself fit and active, you must not restrain yourself from doing fitness activities. You will never be too old to exercise. However, if you are just starting at 50, do not expect things to be instantly all-good for you. Our bodies are vulnerable to the common wear and tear. The key is to start being healthy early so you will not have to worry about your seniors because it will never mean declining if you have prepared your body well for the forthcoming changes.
health expenses are constantly going up. That’s why it is not good to stay unhealthy in this generation. I agree with the points raised in this article. Being healthy is not just about not being overweight. It is also about making sure that your body enjoys balances in all aspects. Give up the vices, eat healthy, exercise, reduce your stress, sleep well. Those are the secrets to being completely healthy and free from risks of developing certain diseases. They are not as easy to follow as they may seem but it pays if you work hard for your body’s advantage. You can save all the money that you might need for medical treatments and invest it on something that will make your life even more wonderful!
. you do not need to be sick to seek your doctor’s advice. we need our doctors for a lot of things other than treating our illness. don’t make that kind of impression separate you from creating a relationship with a medical prof. you can draw a lot of good advices by mking consultations to your family doctor every once in a while or every so often, especially if you are starting to age.