When you think about investing, what comes to your mind? For most people, this will be shares, bonds and other more traditional investments. However, there are other ways to invest your money that can have an even greater impact on your future. Investing in a healthy lifestyle and health in general can lead to many benefits.
Healthy lifestyle
It will help you save money on healthcare costs as well as improve overall quality of life. A healthy lifestyle is one that includes proper nutrition, regular exercise and adequate rest – all of which have
a proven positive impact on our health and well-being. You may think that investing in a healthy lifestyle seems like an additional expense rather than something you can save on. However, the opposite is true: when we invest in things like an exercise routine and nutritious food, we save money by reducing
long-term medical costs and risks. Here are some ways in which you can invest in a healthier lifestyle today.
Regular exercise
A healthy diet is important for health, but exercises can also have many benefits. Exercising can help people lead healthier lives. It can reduce the risk of heart diseases, diabetes, stroke and cancer. In addition, it can improve self-esteem and mood, and help people feel better about themselves. Exercises can have different forms, such as running, swimming, cycling, yoga and strength training. All of them have health benefits. And while joining a gym may seem expensive, many people can exercise at home using simple equipment such as a jumping rope, resistance bands, a yoga mat or dumbbells. If you exercise at home, you can save money on your monthly membership fee.
Nutritious diet
While some people prioritise exercises over nutrition, these two aspects of a healthy lifestyle are equally important. A nutritious diet contains all the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that your body needs to stay healthy. Eating a nutritious diet can help reducing the risk of developing many diseases as well as treating existing ones. The best way to ensure a nutritious diet is to follow the Canada Food Guide. This guide provides information on how to eat a balanced diet that includes fruit, vegetables, whole grains, proteins and dairy products. Eating a nutritious diet can seem expensive, but there are ways to save money while still providing your body with the nutrients it needs. First, look for cheaper alternatives to the food you normally eat, e.g. use lentils instead of meat.
Sufficient amount of sleep
Lack of sleep can cause many health problems, including an increased risk of heart diseases and diabetes, as well as mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. To benefit from a healthy lifestyle, it is important to get enough sleep each night. Unfortunately, many people in the Western culture sleep less than they need because they spend more time in front of screens that emit blue light, which can disrupt the body’s sleep cycle. If you’re not getting enough sleep, there are ways to improve the situation. You can make your bedroom a space for sleep, not for work or screen time. Avoid drinking caffeine and eating large meals before bed, and try to keep your bedroom cool and dark.
Or maybe a health insurance policy?
However, the best investment in health… may be a private health insurance policy. Nearly 2 million Poles have learned about its advantages and benefits. This is an alternative to public healthcare, which does not suit everyone. Quick access to preventive and diagnostic tests and consultations with specialists, as well as the possibility to use a wide list of medical facilities throughout Poland – these are the most important advantages of private health insurance. Such insurance gives you a sense of security and, above all, allows you to save valuable time. What can you get with health insurance? First of all, the possibility of quick consultations with doctors and specialists for adults and children. With health insurance, you also gain access to diagnostic tests (from simple tests: blood count, glucose, cholesterol, to tests such as magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound or tomography) and the possibility of prenatal care. The telemedicine service, i.e. remote consultations with doctors such as internists and specialists, is also useful, especially in the context of the situation related to the coronavirus pandemic, which – fortunately – has been already remedied.
