Good Health on a Budget – Part 2
This month Dr. Michelle Hagel and Lisa Lin collaborated for our most recent blog series “Good Health on a Budget”. Good health is truly possible, regardless of your financial situation. Here are some ideas to show you how you can make it happen. It is our intention that this information light a spark of curiosity in you and to open your mind to creative thinking around your finances and health.
Good Health Strategies on a Budget
Many a time in social situations I’ve heard people say “I can’t do (X) because it costs too much, so I can’t do anything to get better”. Some of the motivations around this belief could stem from (and no judgement here): excuse making habits, believing there is only one way to approach getting healthy, not believing in yourself, not having support or feeling defeated. Until we start to think differently or realize doing the same thing over and over again may elicit the same results, you can start feeling stuck. We don’t want stuck. I would like to see you believe in yourself, put your creative thinking hat on, get determined and be well! So here are a few ideas to get you started:
Health Tips Northwest Calgary
- Look at Where You Spend Your Money
Is it on your values or on things that are not meaningful to you? For example, paying into a gym membership you never use, eating takeout instead of bringing food from home. Those extra costs could go towards self care practices (egs. fresh produce, yoga classes, new runners to support your joints). Please read Dr. Hagel’s section for the how-to on nutrition.
- Practitioners
Before stopping care due to financial challenges, talk to your health practitioners – work out a plan and some ideas for care that will get you the support you need. You do not have to figure everything out by yourself.
- Insurance Benefits
Do you know if you have employee health benefits? Does your spouse? First find out what your plan covers, how much and if your family is covered too. Second check the professional designations and insurance recognition of the practitioners you want to see. Third, check if your practitioners do direct billing to insurance, saving you having to pay up front and be reimbursed later. One of the reasons employers provide health benefits to employees is they recognize that if their employees are healthy, there is reduced sick time and improved productivity. Insurance plans often cover naturopath visits, chiropractic, physiotherapy, acupuncture, psychologists, massage therapy, orthotics and prescription medication. Some companies even provide partial reimbursement for gym memberships. Please use these plans ethically.
- Self Care is Cost Effective
You are your own inner healer. By doing your self care (ie nutrition, exercise, rest, social support, recreation) this is where much of your healing will come from and it is simple and cost effective. Practitioners provide tools, techniques, practices and support for your healing. It is up to you to be an active participant to get the most therapeutic effect from each office visit.And Last But Not Least
- Listen to Your Inner Wisdom
The human body shows symptoms, sometimes hollers with them when we are not paying attention to our health. When life gets busy, and people take on more external responsibilities with family, community and work, it is easy to disengage from the self and stop listening within. Your inner knowing will never lead you astray; it will direct you on the clearest, most financially feasible and grounded path to healing. It really is that simple, when you regularly practice listening to your inner self with love.
Good Health is the greatest blessing of life. Be determined to well. Sign Up and get started today!