Practical Application: Maintain Your Baseline of Health

Maintaining good health is one of the top ways to save money. I don't think it's news to anyone that frequent doctor visits and medicine can rob your health savings account. Maintaining a "baseline of health" can save a lot of money and personal discomfort.

"Baseline of health" is a key phrase typically used by naturopathic doctors - it is the minimum effort you can give in order to be healthy as opposed to sick. Sometimes the difference between a year during which you suffer five sinus infections and a healthy year takes very little effort. A good mental picture is a horizontal line with "good health" written above and "poor health" written below. To save money, simply stay on top of the line!

The following are my tips to keep you above the baseline of health line:

1. Keep your immune system up with vitamin supplements. I recommend vitamins in capsule as opposed to tablet format. I believe they are digested better. Twin Lab is my favorite brand.

2. Keep your immune system up with complete meals. Anytime you eat - a meal or a snack - try to have protein & complex (whole grain, not sugar) carbs together. That combination will keep your digestion running smoothly and keep you from being hungry.

3. Keep your immune system up by limiting your simple carbs (aka sugar) intake. And, when you do eat sugary food, eat your protein and complex carb first. Sugar lowers your immune system. It also makes you hungry faster! You can still eat sugar, just don't have a donut for breakfast. Have one for dessert instead.

4. Keep your immune system up with good bacteria. Probiotics is a supplement you can take in pill form that helps your stomach grow good bacteria. Good bacteria helps you absorb nutrients in the food you eat. It also keeps away canker sores!

5. Protect your body by washing your hands with soap and water throughout the day. You don't have to go crazy with it. Just wash up sometimes after touching especially germ-y things like shopping carts, cell phones, computer keyboards/mouse, steering wheels, etc. The most germ-infested places are spots that hands touch frequently.

6. Keep your body hydrated with water or non-caffeinated drinks. 6-8 glasses a day is the goal, but for each caffeinated drink you have, add another glass on to your water intake.

7. Eat your vitamins - get your five-a-day fruits and vegetables. This one is HARD. A serving is probably smaller than you think, but it's still hard to get five servings each day. In our family, we drink V8 - even our two-year-old (we mix it with regular juice); otherwise, we would never make it. Side note: plenty of fruit and veggies and whole grains will take care of your fiber intake, too.

8. Move your body every day for at least 20 minutes. You don't have to run until you puke or train for the Iron Man. Just take a walk that slightly winds you. Sometimes it's fun to take an aerobics class or play sports, but if you don't enjoy those activities, there is still hope for you! Walking is the perfect activity. Just walk. Everyday.

9. Make friends and spend time with them. If you don't have a reason to regularly interact with your closest friends, create one. Start a book club or Bunko group that meets once a month. If you don't have any friends, find some. Meet your neighbors or join a group already meeting regularly - a church, a quilting group, a knitting circle, a MOPS group, etc. Even if it's hard for you to make friends, you'll love the ones you do find. I hope this goes without saying, but also spend time with your family. Set aside family time and treat it like an important appointment. Don't miss it. Don't take phone calls or check your Facebook in the middle of it. Look forward to it all week.

10. Love what you do for a living. If you hate where you are five days a week, your health will suffer. Find a job you can at least tolerate, or find a way to tolerate your current job. The best way to love your job is to recognize the purpose it serves to you, to your employer, and to the world. If you can't find any other purpose than paying the bills, you might be in the wrong job (but, hey, at least you have one!). There's nothing wrong with having a "day job" to the pay the bills so long as you are doing SOMETHING interesting in the evening. Find a purpose!