Rising prices don’t have to affect your health. Here are tips to stay healthier in this economy.
Inflation is reaching unprecedented levels. Prices for food and gas are rising sharply. So are the costs of almost everything else, including health care services. If you have a limited budget, how do you make sure that the current state of the economy doesn’t negatively affect your health?
Here are tips for staying healthier, despite rising inflation:
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- Food. Every category of food, from produce and meat to dairy and bread, has seen rising prices over the last year. Overall, grocery prices have risen 6.5% since last year, although some foods—like meat, eggs and fish—are up nearly twice that amount. Many tried and true ways to lower grocery costs are no longer enough and it may take some creativity to keep your family fed without breaking the bank. One of the best ways to manage rising food costs is to cook at home as much as possible. Another budget-friendly option? Give up your bottled soda or iced tea habit. The Wall Street Journal highlighted the efforts of one man who gave up this habit, which he estimated cost him about $700 a year. He instead makes carafes of unsweetened tea at home, which costs about $35. Not only has he saved money, but he’s lost weight and feels less anxious, too.
- Exercise. With rising prices, many people are being forced to look at their budgets and get rid of things they can live without. For some, that may mean saying goodbye to a high-priced gym membership. Before you do (assuming you love to workout at the gym), think of other ways to save the same amount of money as your gym membership. Giving up a few caramel macchiatos or vanilla lattes may more than cover the cost of your gym membership, and you’ll save a few hundred (or thousand) calories in the process. If you absolutely have to give up your gym membership, think of fun cost-free ways to workout, such as hiking in the park or dancing in your living room.
- Mental health. Struggling to make ends meet can take a toll on your mental health and cause chronic stress. This can be very detrimental to your health in more ways than one. If you are feeling stressed, anxious or depressed due to financial concerns, talk to someone about how you feel. If you need professional help, there may be free or low-cost therapy options available.
- Health care. It’s easy to skip routine medical appointments when money is tight. After all, if you’re not sick, why spend money to go to the doctor, right? Wrong. Preventative health care makes it easier to detect health issues earlier, when they are easier to treat. This will save you money in the long run and keep you healthier. Many insurance companies even cover the cost of preventative visits, so it won’t cost you anything. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
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Date Last Reviewed: February 14, 2022
Editorial Review: Andrea Cohen, Editorial Director, Baldwin Publishing, Inc. Contact Editor
Dietary Review: Perry Pitkow, MD
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