6 Small, Inexpensive Ways to Maintain Your Health and Wellness

Taking care of yourself doesn’t necessarily require you to spend a lot of money on gadgets, devices, gym memberships, or fancy supplements. There are a handful of simple, budget-friendly ways to maintain your physical and mental wellbeing that you can incorporate into your daily routine. Here are six things you can start doing today.

 

  1. Use compression socks

 

Compression socks are a budget-friendly way to apply gentle pressure to your feet and legs to alleviate discomfort and swelling. If you suffer from edema or poor circulation, for example, compression socks can help reduce the swelling by increasing blood flow back to the heart.

 

While they’re not a replacement for medical procedures, many people get significant relief from compression socks for a variety of issues. Since they’re affordable, you have nothing to lose by trying them out.

 

  1. Organize your house and car

 

Clutter can induce anxiety and stress, even when you don’t think it’s causing any harm. Being in a messy space can make you feel agitated and distracted and make it hard to concentrate. This can lead to chronic stress, which can damage your body by releasing large amounts of cortisol and adrenaline.

 

At the first opportunity you have, start cleaning up your spaces, like your car and home. Start with one area and work your way to the rest. You may need to buy organizational furniture or fixtures, and doing so will be a game-changer. Once you get your spaces organized, you’ll notice a sense of peace right away.

 

  1. Don’t overdo the supplements

 

Human beings were never meant to live off of supplements. The reason they’re called supplements is because they exist to supplement the nutrition derived from food. If you’re hooked on an expensive regimen of supplements, slowing down and doing some research can help you save money and get the nutrition you need.

 

The first problem with supplements is that most of the ingredients aren’t actually the nutrients required by the body. For example, ascorbic acid is not actually vitamin C – it’s a manmade isolate that has been heavily processed and lacks all the naturally-occurring elements that make up true vitamin C.

 

The other major issue with supplements is that the human body isn’t designed to take in the same amount of nutrients from the same sources every day. It’s not just a matter of toxicity from taking too much of a given vitamin, but your supplement intake needs to be varied to be effective.

 

You’ll need to do your own research to find out what companies are selling genuine, whole food vitamins. However, it’s worth the effort because you could be wasting hundreds of dollars on products that don’t even work.

 

  1. Start working out at home

 

If you’ve been putting off a health and wellness routine because you either can’t afford a gym membership or you don’t have time to hit the gym, start working out at home. When you invest a small amount of money in resistance bands and a grip trainer, you can get a full body workout at home.

 

High-strength, flat looped bands are more expensive than traditional tubular bands, but they’re worth the extra cost because they will help you get stronger faster. These flat bands are typically used with a footplate and bar that enables you to lift heavier than if you were to just use your hands and feet. You can get a complete setup for a few hundred bucks and you’ll never have to pay a monthly membership fee.

 

  1. Mindful breathing

 

Never underestimate the power of mindful breathing to support your health and wellbeing. Take a few minutes out of your day in the morning to sit quietly, close your eyes, and do some deep breathing. You can simply breathe and focus on your breath, or do pranayama and get a few more benefits from the exercise – it’s up to you.

 

  1. Cook more meals at home

 

Solid nutrition is important for your health, and the best way to get it is to cook your meals at home. You’ll not only be able to create delicious food, but you’ll also have full control over the ingredients.

 

Invest in your long-term health

 

Remember that the most effective way to improve your health is to develop consistent habits. By embracing some of the ideas in this article, you’ll be making a valuable investment in your long-term health without straining your wallet. The key is to start small, develop consistency, and celebrate the positive changes you achieve.