Glowing skin and radiant energy are outward signs of a happy, healthy person. However, you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on a personal trainer, and you can avoid those high dollar doctor’s visits. Anyone can achieve their best health with a few changes to their daily habits and routine care. Let’s talk about a few of these easy and low-cost tips.

Hydration Is the Key to Success

One of the easiest and cheapest things to do for your health, and one of the most overlooked, is just to simply drink water. University Health News lists a few of the many benefits, ranging from an increase in energy and endurance to disease prevention. A common rule of thumb is to drink at least eight glasses of water a day to stay properly hydrated. If you struggle to drink enough water or don’t actually like water very much, you can flavor your water with lemon slices, berries, or herbs like mint and basil. No matter how you take your water, the effects will be quickly apparent in your energy levels and skin.

Love the Skin You’re In

Speaking of skin, did you know that it your skin is an organ? Its job it to protect the important parts of you that hide beneath the surface. Healthy skin can prevent nasty germs from entering your bloodstream. Keep your skin healthy by keeping it clean and moisturized. Another benefit of prioritizing skin health is that you will look younger and feel better about your appearance, and that can give you a self-esteem boost!

No Gym Required

Exercise is important to keep your body healthy, energy levels high, skin glowing, and diseases at bay. Oftentimes, the word “exercise” conjures up an image of intense marathon-style cardio or maxing out reps with heavy weights. While those are great hobbies, that level of intensity is not required to maintain your health. You also don’t have to spend any money on a gym membership or fancy equipment — there are a lot of ways to exercise for little to no cost. You can go for a walk (or run) outside or create your own routine using exercises like jumping jacks, pushups, and sit-ups. You can also use a lightweight, portable streaming stick TV device to help you log into on-demand workouts or apps with different routines every day, and you can even take it with you when traveling so you never miss a session! Remember, regular exercise goes a long way to maintain your health and prevent future disease or illness.

Routine Checkups

In addition to diet and exercise, it is important to always schedule routine checkups with your primary care physician. Prevention and early detection are important tools, and your doctor can best help you monitor your health, especially if you are a senior. While these visits can run up a pretty high bill, you can offset this cost with the right insurance. Insurance plans change year to year, so be sure to examine your current coverage to ensure you are getting all the benefits you can. If you are a senior on Medicare, you may want to look into the Medicare Advantage plans to extend your coverage and include important aspects like vision and dental care.

Don’t Forget About Your Teeth

Dental care may not be the first thing you think of when you think of a health checklist. However, according to Harvard Medical School, oral health is directly linked to the health of your heart. Studies show that those who have poor oral health are more at risk for heart disease or stroke.  Avoiding sugar, brushing your teeth twice daily, and flossing daily are all helpful habits to increase your dental hygiene. Just like it is important to see your doctor regularly, it is equally important to visit your dentist for routine cleanings and checkups. If your dentist is too expensive, look into other dental insurance options or change your dentist.

Taking The Small Steps

Taking small steps to learn healthy daily habits in addition to regular checkups are easy and cost-effective ways to stay healthy. When you are healthy on the inside, the outside reflects your health with glowing skin, radiant energy, and a happier version of you.

Article written by:our guest writer Ms. Jennifer McGregor of PublicHealthLibrary.org