How to Stay in Good Health When Times are Tough

 

With the economy in a tailspin, most of us are feeling the effects of the financial crisis. Amidst the daily struggle to hang onto jobs, pay our bills, and save for retirement, physical wellness can take a back seat to more immediate concerns.

But the stress of trying to cope in a tough economy makes it more important than ever to care for your most valuable asset – your health. Good health can make a tremendous difference in your ability to face the pressures of uncertain times.

Nutrition

A demanding schedule can make it tempting to eat on the run; with grocery prices soaring, you may skimp on more wholesome foods in favor of cheaper alternatives. But good nutrition is the cornerstone of good health, and it is possible to eat well without draining your wallet.

- Plan Ahead
Plan a weekly menu before you shop and purchase only the items you need – you will save a lot of money.
Keep the FDA food pyramid in mind, and skip the prepackaged meals. Use fresh produce and whole grains
whenever possible – farm stands are excellent sources of fresh and inexpensive seasonal items.

- Avoid Fast Food
Although it is cheap and convenient, fast food is calorie-laden and lacking in nutritional value. Carry healthy
snacks and ignore the lure of the drive-through.

- Dine In
Restaurants are expensive, and little attention is given to the nutritional quality of the food coming out of the
kitchen. Make cooking a family event, or invite your friends – everyone will benefit from good food and the
camaraderie of preparing a meal together.

Exercise

You’ve been working overtime to make ends meet. With the bills piling up, the gym membership is an expense you can’t justify. Sticking to an exercise routine seems impractical – you’ll get back into it when things get better.

Feeling this way is understandable, but physical activity is a vital to maintaining good health. Exercising is a great way to de-stress, keep your metabolism running, and sustain a healthy body weight.

If you can’t afford the snazzy gym, you can still work out without the expensive equipment and personal trainer. Why not rediscover the pleasures of the great (and free) outdoors? Take a walk with friends, your partner, or the dog. A bike ride is an excellent workout, even if you ride a $200 model instead of a sexy, top-of-the-line racing cycle.

Take a hike and enjoy the scenery, or go for a vigorous swim. If you live in a winter climate, even sledding with the kids can be great exercise – the trudge back up the hill is a workout in itself. However you choose to stay fit, you will feel refreshed and ready to deal with any challenge.

Stress Management

Medical experts agree that high stress levels have a tremendous impact on our health. Stress weakens the immune system and depletes the hormones that promote healthy body function and mental well-being; it is also a huge factor in illnesses such as heart disease.

Make time for yourself. Yoga, meditating, or simply listening to soothing music can help you to relax, reduce your stress level, and allow your body’s self-healing abilities to take over.

Risky Behaviors

Behaviors such as smoking, heavy drinking, and drug use are never good for you. Aside from the adverse health effects, these substances can dim your outlook, exacerbate stressful situations, and impair your ability to make good decisions.

Cutting back on drinking and smoking can only be beneficial, and you will find yourself feeling more energized and positive about your life.

Preventative Health Care

It is impossible to overemphasize the importance of preventative care. Scheduling a checkup or mammogram may be the furthest thing from your mind right now, but remember that early detection is critical in treating any disease.

- Lab tests (such as pap smears) can spot diseases which are easily treated in early stages, but become
much more complicated and dangerous if allowed to progress.

- Mammograms are recommended for women ages 40 and up. Don’t duck out of your checkup with the
excuse that you don’t have time – you could be saving your life.

- Cholesterol checks are vital for older adults. Maintaining a healthy cholesterol level can minimize your risk of
stroke or heart disease.

Don’t overlook your annual checkup. Even in difficult times, you will greatly improve the quality of your life if you practice good habits and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

 

Independent, Retirement, And Senior Living Communities A Good Value In Tough Economy

When I suggested that my wife’s grandfather George move into a retirement community outside of Detroit, I had a list of reasons why. I knew he would enjoy the proximity to family, having a peer group close at hand, the chance to rekindle some dormant interests and the peace of mind on-site health care brings.  What was missing from my list was the opportunity for him to save money on living expenses.

That is exactly what he is doing, to an estimated $400 per month.

Decision to Move

His story is similar to many people in our country contemplating a move to a retirement or independent living community.  The decision to relocate keeps getting put-off due to reasons such as perceived costs or out-dated stereotypes of what a retirement community is like.  

Sadly, George’s wife died suddenly and he was forced to quickly make some life decisions. Should he stay in the home he had lived in for more than 20 years?  Move and live with one of his adult children?  Or move to a retirement community? After weighing all his options, George made the decision that he wanted his own “space” and soon made arrangements to move to a retirement community.

Eight months after his move, he has taken up golf. He is involved in not one, but two Bridge groups.  And although he lost so much in the previous year, he is hopeful about the future. He is also amazed that his living expenses have actually gone down —- that $400 savings per month will add up to almost $5,000 per year.

Hidden Value Revealed

Whether someone has a mortgage or the house is paid off, there is likely a lot of pent-up potential dollars to invest if equity could be taken from the sale of the home.  There can also be a disadvantage to waiting.  

As an example, let’s assume a house can be sold for $250,000 in today’s market, but the owner believes waiting five years would yield a $300,000 sale.  This thinking actually loses nearly $20,000 of value to the person that waits, assuming a typical 5% return on investments.  Clearly stated, a person who sells the house today for $250,000 and invests the proceeds for a 5% return would earn more than the person who waits five years to sell their home.  Waiting also means:  

1) five years of an uncertain real estate market where prices could continue to slip downward instead of improve  
2) five years of dealing with costly house maintenance and repairs  
3) five years of paying higher taxes due to property evaluations
4) five years of all the responsibilities of home ownership and the time commitments that come with it

Living in a retirement community can eliminate those concerns for the average senior while providing them a much more predictable out-of-pocket cost. Here, the concept is shared expense distribution versus a single household incurring all costs.  Does anyone know how much gasoline or heating oil is going to be in the next few months, next year? In recent years, heating costs have rocketed 30% or more.  

Even assuming a 6% annual monthly service fee increase from the retirement community, a senior or family member can plan accordingly, and there are no hidden surprises.

Unexpected Savings

Other ways someone moving to a retirement community can save:

•    Car costs drive off.  Most retirement communities offer transportation, so residents can forgo their car, car maintenance, car insurance, and paying for gas.  
•    Health costs decrease.  Retirement communities are built with a more universal design in mind.  This translates into less potential for falls, trips, and more.  Fewer accidents likely means decreased insurance premiums and fewer hospital bills.
•    Food bills get cut.  Most retirement communities offer very affordable meal options eliminating the expense of buying groceries while providing seniors with nutritional meals they may not be getting on their own.
•    Entertainment, with bulk pricing.  A single person goes to the theater, little chance of getting a significant discount.  Fifty people go, and wow!

The economy is understandably on everyone’s mind and senior living providers should be shouting from the roof-tops the financial benefits of such a life decision.  In addition to the positive health and well-being retirement communities offer residents, they give financial peace of mind in a time of uncertainty.  This is more than just a benefit for my wife’s grandfather; choosing senior housing can benefit thousands of senior home-owners.