Two Tips for Staying Healthy if You Have Experienced a Drop in Your Income
Posted on: 24 September 2018
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If you have experienced a significant drop in your income and are concerned about the impact this might have on your physical well-being, here are some tips that should enable you to stay healthy.
Switch from your private doctor to one of your local bulk-billing doctors
If you're currently registered with a private doctor, you should consider switching to one of your local bulk-billing doctors as soon as possible. If you stay with your current doctor and develop a physical condition that requires medical treatment in the near future, you may find yourself hesitant to book an appointment because you cannot afford the fees associated with private healthcare.
If this should happen, the physical ailment you developed could evolve from one which was initially easily treatable to one which will be complicated and painful to resolve. For example, if you develop an upper respiratory infection and decide not to obtain antibiotics from your private doctor because you can't afford to visit them, this infection could evolve into pneumonia, which could then lead to sepsis. If this should happen, you may end up having to be hospitalised for several days.
Conversely, if you register with a bulk-billing doctor, you will be able to afford to seek the treatment you need at an early stage and will thus be able to minimise your risk of developing a life-threatening condition.
Look for free forms of exercise
If your income is much lower than it used to be, you may not be able to afford to keep your gym membership or to continue to go to your local aerobics or yoga classes. If this is the case, it's important not to give up on physical activity entirely, just because you cannot afford to participate in paid forms of exercise.
If you do, it could have a serious impact on your health. Your cardiovascular health may suffer, your weight may start to climb to a dangerously high level, and you may lose your current level of flexibility and strength (which could put you at greater risk of injuries).
Additionally, if your low income is causing you to feel stressed out a lot of the time, giving up on exercise is likely to cause your stress levels to rise even higher. This could lead to higher inflammation levels in your body and could also increase your risk of developing mental health problems, such as depression.
As such, it is vital to start looking for free forms of exercise. Walking and running are both excellent, free ways to maintain a high level of cardiovascular fitness. You can also do simple body-weight exercises, such as push-ups and squats, in your own home; these should help to keep your muscles strong. Additionally, you may want to look for free yoga tutorials online; these will not only improve your flexibility but will also help you to manage your stress levels.