When you think of how to pay less medical bills, health insurance comes to mind. Being insured is great, but what if you could reduce or prevent medical bills by changing your lifestyle?
Most huge medical bills are for chronic health conditions. These are diseases that require ongoing medical attention, such as diabetes, heart diseases, and cancers. Thus, they require costly tests and treatment plans over a long period. Western medicine generally treats symptoms - not root causes.
One way to reduce the number of medical bills you receive is to create and implement smart lifestyle habits. The below is presented for informational purposes only, not to treat, diagnosis or recommend specific steps that may interfere with your current health treatment. Always seek the advice of your professional healthcare team.
5 Tips To Improve Your Health & Reduce Your Medical Bills
Improving your health equals less chance of coming down with a health condition that will cost you a lot in medical bills and out of pocket expense. Not to mention the headache and time spent in deciphering the jargon. Here are some tips to help.
1. Exercise Regularly
A lack of physical activity contributes to obesity, which is a risk factor for other chronic health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and stroke. By incorporating about 150 minutes a week in physical movement, you can help yourself maintain a healthy body weight.
If you find it hard to exercise regularly, try incorporating some simple short bursts then build up. Before you know it, you'll look forward to moving and seek ways to achieve more physical activity into your day. For instance, take a walk if your destination is just a few blocks away, take the stairs instead of the elevator, and use items around your home such as canned goods to incorporate light weight training.
2. Eat Healthy
No doubt, red meat, carbs and fried foods are delicious. But these foods cause inflammation in the body, which leads to chronic health conditions. Plus you'll internally age faster! Reduce your intake or research a meal plan that works for your body type. By approaching in this manner, you're more likely to stick with it.
Eat more foods high in antioxidants, such as leafy vegetables and nuts, as they have anti-inflammatory properties. Replace snacking on pastries and fizzy drinks with eating fruits and drinking water. Also, avoid foods with unhealthy fats that increase your cholesterol level and waistline. Soon, you'll start to feel more energetic which in turn can help you increase your physical activity.
3. Keep Stress Levels Low
Stress is one of the major causes of ill-health. Physically, it can cause inflammation that result in chronic conditions. Mentally or emotionally, anxiety and depression. These consequences of stress require costly treatment to manage.
Thus, reducing stress can help your overall state of mind, and your wallet. If you can't change the situation causing you stress, incorporate controlling how you react to it. You can practice yoga, deep breathing, and meditation to de-stress. There are myriads of ways to beat a stressful situation with practice and a different mindset.
4. Get Enough Quality Sleep
Just because you want to achieve your life goals doesn't mean you should sleep for four hours only. If you want to remain healthy and focused on your goals, strive for at least six to eight hours of quality sleep daily. Setting a bedtime routine greatly helps to promote restful relaxation. And, adequate sleep helps improve your mood, reduces stress and boosts your immune system, all of which keep you in good health. Also, it isn't just about the number of hours you sleep. Ensure you sleep on a regular schedule and in a restful environment.
5. Take Dietary Supplements
Dietary supplements contain vitamins and minerals that give your body the necessary nutrient boost to stay healthy. Some contain herbal ingredients such as garlic, curcumin, and ginger which possess anti-inflammatory properties. However, ensure you speak to your health provider before taking any supplements.
In Conclusion
The best way to avoid medical bills is not to get sick. Unfortunately, as humans, we cannot avoid falling ill. An occasional trip to a healthcare facility can't be prevented, even just for a well exam. However, we can reduce our risks of chronic health conditions that are costly to treat by simply changing our lifestyle.
If you already have a massive medical bill, either due to your health condition or a billing error, you can contact us at MBCR today for what to do next!