TriVita Article: Don’t Let a Weak Economy Weaken Your Health

Why smart lifestyle habits are even more important now

Are you worried about jobs, housing or shrinking investments? These days it seems most of us are, and it might be easy to let this stress push aside healthy habits. The best advice in one word is, don’t. It’s more important than ever to protect your health by continuing to make smart lifestyle choices.

Here’s a look at some of the ways that financial woe can chip away at the best health habits, and some strategies for fighting back.

Too much stress, not enough money?

In the workforce, the economic meltdown has led to overwork for many who still have jobs. This burden makes it easy to trade healthy meals for a fast-food filler, to reach for “comfort” in high-calorie treats, to skip exercise and to look for escape through drinking or smoking.

If you find yourself or a loved one starting to develop one or more of these behaviors, there are several steps you can take to get back on track. Some counter-strategies:

• Fix healthy lunches and snacks at home, and keep them on hand every day. You’ll be safeguarding your health and your wallet by not paying for over-processed, packaged foods.
• Avoid sugary, high-fat foods and snacks. They’ll just pack on the pounds and leave you feeling low.
• Can’t afford your gym membership? Walking is free and great for you; ditto taking the stairs instead of the escalator, working out at home to DVDs from your local library, dancing (solo or paired) and dozens of other possibilities – get creative.
• Smoking, as you know, is a killer for your body and wallet. What a great, moneysaving time to stop. Ask your healthcare provider about free local resources to help.
• Alcohol does not relieve stress – it boosts your stress level, and can lead to a cycle of over eating, smoking and other dangerous habits, such as more drinking. Save your money and tip a few glasses of water instead.

Preventive health today, savings tomorrow

Given the wobbly economy, who can afford to miss work, or put themselves at risk of illness by not safeguarding their health? If nothing else, the financial incentives for staying healthy should make us all even more determined to eat right, exercise and keep taking quality supplements. It’s encouraging to know that many people who use supplements intend to keep right on going.

In a recent survey, a majority of supplement users said they would maintain their daily regimen. And of those people, a sizable number said that the supplements are “an essential part of my wellness regimen, and I cannot do without them.”

“It’s encouraging to see that, despite the current economic climate, such a large percentage of adults are continuing to invest in their health by including dietary supplements as a part of their wellness regimen,” said a researcher with the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), which sponsored the survey. The CRN staffer continued, “Engaging in preventive health measures today, such as incorporating supplements into a healthy lifestyle, may help avoid potential healthcare costs down the road.”

The smart 72%: are you one of them?

Avoiding future healthcare costs is the reason that many people, instead of reducing their healthy habits, are now taking an even more proactive role in protecting their health. A survey of over 10,000 people conducted in the U.S. indicated that fully 72% were taking preventive steps to stay healthy. These steps included taking vitamin and nutrient supplements, exercising more and eating healthier.

Clearly, economic woes should motivate us all to keep up or increase our healthy lifestyle habits, including taking the highest quality supplements. After all, no matter what’s happening in the world of finance, who can afford to cut back on health?

Source: TriVita VitaJournal March 2009 pg 21