Let’s face it: living healthy and maintaining a budget seem like they’re at odds with each other. A lot of healthy options — organic food, gym subscriptions, home exercise equipment, etc. — are costly and add up over time. So what to do? Here are some options that let you live your healthiest life without breaking the bank, presented below by Unique To You Nutrition.
Grow your own fruits and veggies
Wouldn’t it be lovely if instead of running to the grocery store for fresh produce, you could just go to the backyard? Having your own vegetable garden is becoming more and more popular, in large part because it’s not as difficult as you might think. (Urbanites have no fear, you can do it too!) You can grow anything from peppers to tomatoes to carrots, and so much more.
Don’t forget the fruit! You can grow strawberries, blackberries, and grapes in a small garden. If you want to invest in a larger garden that includes trees, your options open up to apples, pears, cherries, peaches, apricots, and many others. Having these delicious options right in your backyard will inspire you to cook healthier and even snack healthier.
There will be a small money and time investment initially, but just wait until you see your grocery bill drop!
Meditate regularly
Meditation may not sound like a money saver, but consider any bad habits you indulge in on a bad day. You might overeat, go shopping for expensive clothing, or go out for drinks late into the night. Meditation is a great — and free! — replacement. You can do it anywhere, anytime, even out in public. According to UC Davis Health, it can actually lower your blood pressure. Done regularly, meditation can lessen depression and stress symptoms, and even increase your willpower so you can avoid those bad habits.
There are different kinds of meditation including mindfulness, guided imagery, and breath. While there are more specific guidelines for structured meditation, the truth is it all comes down to your breathing. Sit or lie down and close your eyes. Completely clear your mind and direct your focus to your breathing: in, out, in, out. That’s it. Do this, redirecting your attention back to your breath as needed, for as long as you feel is helpful.
Work out at home
Going to the gym is expensive and time-consuming. Still, exercise is a crucial element of wellness. Look no further than home; it can be the best gym you ever have! You may already have some equipment — be it a treadmill or weights — but there are plenty of moves you can do without any at all. Some of those include:
- Planks
- Lunges
- Squats
- Pushups
If your living space is limited, try going to a local park. You can expand your regular workouts with all the extra space and if you have children, it’s a great opportunity for them to run, play, and get in their daily exercise.
When starting your new exercise program, ease in and be realistic. Start with a couple days a week, then increase as you can. Be kind to yourself along the way. Shame isn’t a good motivator, so forgive yourself for days you miss.
Don’t just save money, make money
If you become especially passionate about any of these techniques, consider blogging about it. For instance, maybe you want to blog about your fruit and vegetable garden. You’ll be able to connect with others who share your interest, plus get and give advice.
Start slow, then grow. Promote your blog on social media like Facebook and Instagram. Take pictures of your garden and share them. You may need to find an easy-to-use image resizer online — it seems like each platform displays photos differently, so be ready to adjust. Many of these resizers allow you to complete the task in around 30 seconds, so you save time as well as money!
It’s not always simple to change up your routine. Give yourself time to adapt. And don’t forget your excellent motivators: health and money!
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