10 (Free) Ways to Improve Your Health
by April Borbon
The basic components of good health are free of charge

Watching all of the ads on TV for the multitude of health-
improvement products that hawkers are constantly trying to
convince people they need, one would think they need to be a
millionaire in order to enjoy optimum health. This isn't
necessarily true. While a lot of money comes in handy to
repair many of the consequences of years of unhealthful
living, the basic components of good health are, surprisingly,
free of charge.

1. Sleep. Lack of sleep has been blamed for everything from
weight gain to car accidents to depression and general
illness. People weren't made to run on five or six hours of
sleep a night. Go to bed earlier or sleep in later and reap
the (free) rewards that a full eight to nine hours of sleep
will bring you.

2. Drink water. Not only will you save money (how much do you
spend on pop, alcohol and other drinks each day?), but also
your health will thank you for it. Our bodies are comprised
mostly of water so what better substance to drink?

3. Exercise. Walking is one of the most natural, simple ways
to exercise on the planet. Better yet, it's free. Most of us
do this everyday. It's just a matter or walking more than we
do now in order to improve our health. Other free exercise
options include following along with the morning aerobics show
on TV and running the trails at a local park.

4. Meditate. How often do you take ten to twenty minutes out
of your day to relax and breathe? Meditation doesn't have to
be something attainable by only a few enlightened souls. Take
time each day to sit still, relax, clear your mind and breathe
deeply.

5. Stop bad health habits. This tip won't just improve your
health, but also it will save you an armload of money as well.
Habits such as drinking alcohol, smoking, over eating and
taking drugs all lead to a less than stellar life span and
also have a dramatic, negative affect on your wallet.

6. Choose your food. You are buying food anyway, so why not
purchase the healthiest food possible? Sure, a tub of Ben and
Jerry's or giant bag of chips is appealing, but you can use
those same dollars to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables in
season, nutritious loss leaders (milk, whole grain bread,
etc.), and other whole grain, healthy options to feed you and
your family.

7. Choose your environment. There are many simple changes you
can make to your environment that are both free and healthful.
If a family member does smoke, make sure they only do this
outside and not in your home. Switch from expensive cleaning
products to natural, homemade cleaning products. Air your home
out regularly. Have everyone take their shoes off when they
enter your home. This saves wear and tear on your floor
coverings and keeps out harmful substances such as pesticides
and other yucky things that get tracked in on shoes.

8. Play with your kids. Playing with your children is a
wonderful way to get some exercise, forge closer emotional
bonds with your children and model good behavior. Anything
from shooting baskets to kicking a ball down the soccer field
will make both you and your children healthier, happier and
closer as a family.

9. Listen to music. Music is free (on the radio) and,
depending on what you listen to, can be infinitely relaxing.
Music has been shown to lower blood pressure, calm frazzled
nerves and improve your attitude.

10. Join a group or find a partner to help you with your new
endeavor. Either online or in person, other people can often
give you the support and "how to" tips that will help you on
your quest for improved health.

It's not as hard to become healthy as advertisers would have
you believe. Simple, free activities that your ancestors would
recognize as normal, every day tasks that have somehow been
lost over time can make all the difference in the world when
it comes to improving your health.

Take the Next Step:
- Choose one or more of the above tips to start today.
- Find a partner or like-minded group for your journey to
improved health
- On your next shopping trip, pass up the chips and pick a
healthier option