Cheap Diet Tips

The Healthy Side of the Credit Crunch

The global economic situation is affecting everyone in one way or another and at times like these, many people are worried about their finances, businesses or perhaps losing their job. It is impossible to turn on the television, radio or open a newspaper without reading about the doom and gloom that currently prevails. You have to be careful not to get drawn into the collective negativity all around you.

However every cloud  had a silver lining, could it be possible to see some silver lining behind the credit crunch? Are there any benefits to the credit crunch? If we focus on the positive, some  good things are coming out of the credit crunch: a greater understanding of the banking system, spending more time with your family, being more careful with your spending, seek value for money and lower house prices.

The credit crunch can most certainly help to get healthier and fitter too! Here is how:

Cycling or walking more

Driving  is becoming an increasingly expensive habit and one that aggravates stress through the frustrations of rush hour traffic. Leaving the car behind and cycling or walking offers a relaxing, energetic alternative that will certainly have wonderful benefits on your health.

Even if you just cannot do without driving, why not car-share with fellow colleague or a neighbour, taking it in turns to drive? This will help cut costs in the long-term, as well as helping the environment.

Turning off TVs, game consoles and going out with family and friends for walks in the local parkWith the electricity rising bills of the credit crunch, turning off televisions, games consoles and DVD players and going for family walks in the park will help save you money, offer a refreshing fitness routine and spend quality time with your family and friends. Physical exercise doesn’t mean hitting the gym; a long walk in the park will be just as good if not more beneficial? It’ll be good exercise, gets the family out of the house and into the fresh air.

Scrapping the weekend takeaway, ditch the lunchtime fast food; enjoy a healthy home-made packed lunch

Ditch the junk food; takeaways, work canteens, expensive sandwiches and sushi. They are just full of sugar and fat, leave you unsatisfied and craving more sugar!  There is a healthy and cheap alternative staring you in the face! Simply bring your own packed lunch into work. You know how it’s made, you can choose the best ingredients and it is certainly not processed! Lack of time? Get organized, you will be amazed by how much time we actually do when we want to do something!

You’ll feel the health benefits in no time. You will probably lose weight and you purse will feel fatter!

Getting fitter by doing more jobs around the home

Save money on cleaners by doing household jobs yourself. As well as cutting costs, you will also keep active; you will exercise your body just by keeping your home clean.

Ditch the gym membership, after all you never use it!

Most of us join a gym with all the best intentions and as the months go by, we hardly use it and end up paying that direct debit for nothing! Indeed it is important to keep fit and healthy but gyms are not necessarily the way to do it. Seek some alternatives, do the things you like, sign up for a dance course, yoga, Pilate’s, exercise in the park, the possibility are endless!

Learn to be grateful for what you have and change your attitude

Are you looking gloomily at next week and next month? Cannot seem to be able to look optimistically?

Start with today, look at today and be grateful for who you are and what you have. Focus on the precious things in life, family, friends, and your accomplishments. One of the greatest contributors to health amongst humanity is a sense of gratitude and we all have so much to be grateful for.

A simple technique is to write down at the end of each day three things that you had to be grateful for that day, at the end of a month your mental health and physical health will be dramatically improved. Celebrate your strengths! Change the way you think and change the way you talk and you feel much better about yourself and the world around you.

Article published with Thanks to Rosaria La Pietra
Health Trainer, Nutrition and Lifestyle Coach