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Living a healthy lifestyle can help you feel better, look better, and remain well, and it can also help you to save money. When you think of healthy habits, your mind may go to expensive equipment or personal trainers, but there are alternatives. You can exercise at home or in a public park with friends or join a group fitness gym. You may not be ready to spring for all organic fruits and vegetables, but if you eat fewer processed foods, your costs will drop as your well-being increases.

Read on for some tips from CrossFit Gotham.

Money-saving tips for a healthier lifestyle

Everyday Power notes that if you walk or bike some of the time rather than driving, you’ll save on gas, parking fees, and wear and tear on the car. Giving up unhealthy habits such as smoking, drinking sugary soft drinks, or drinking alcohol to excess can save you money since you won’t have to pay for those things.

If you cook at home rather than ordering take-out, you’ll be able to consume more fresh foods and fewer pre-packaged foods, and the cost will be less. If you like to garden, you could even grow some of your own food. When your healthy habits lead to better health, you’ll be able to use fewer sick days, spend less on costly medication, and it may reduce the cost of your health insurance, too.

Clean your own home

Rather than paying for a cleaning service, Family Handyman points out that you can save by cleaning your own home and using homemade do-it-yourself cleaners made from non-toxic substances such as baking soda and vinegar. Be sure you dust before vacuuming floors for maximum impact. Then you can take a good look at where the problem areas are, pick up small pieces of debris, like cat litter, and take your time, particularly in vacuuming carpets. You can definitely make your home a healthier place by vacuuming thoroughly to reduce pet dander, dust, pollen, and other allergens.

Although it may seem too good to be true that a healthy lifestyle can save you money as well as boost your energy, health, and general well-being, with persistence, all these things are possible. While nobody can guarantee that you’ll avoid illness or accidents forever, if these things should happen, you’ll be far more resilient if you’re living a healthy lifestyle. Getting adequate exercise, eating nutritiously, updating your resume as you monetize your lifestyle, and
keeping a healthy and clean home can all help. You can begin with gradual changes and shift to
healthier habits that are sustainable. You won’t regret it.

Are you struggling with meeting your health and wellness goals? If so, you are not alone, but it doesn’t have to be that way, and there are many basic self-care practices that you can engage in right now that will help you look, feel, and be healthy, happy, and whole. CrossFit Gotham provides a few daily steps in the right direction.

Find a mentor and motivator.

Many of us, unfortunately, fall into the belief that we have to tackle our days on our own. This isn’t true, and having a mentor and motivator in your corner can help you harness your inner power to make positive changes, lead you toward your own potential, and provide you with the accountability you need to succeed with your exercise and weight loss goals.

Working with a personal trainer is a great way to get started on your fitness journey. And when you join a gym like CrossFit Gotham, you can also take advantage of group classes. You’ll find that having proper training, accountability and community support makes a big difference in how you feel and how you progress.

Tap into additional motivation by creating some killer playlists that make you want to move. You can also invest in a pair of sweat-friendly headphones, or even a tricked out smartwatch that tracks your movement and gives you updates in real time.

Eat for your brain and body.

Food is what fuels your body, but many people don’t realize that it has a profound effect on your brain as well. If you’ve noticed that your mental health has started to suffer, perhaps you have depression or recurrent anxiety, there are plenty of foods that will help your brain power through it. Carrots, beets, bananas, avocados, and beans all come to mind. These and other foods are great for your mental health. You can also turn to natural remedies and supplements to boost your brainpower without resorting to pharmaceutical concoctions.

Relieve financial stress

Stress and anxiety about money can have a major impact on our overall health and well-being. If you’re currently dealing with financial problems, find ways to lighten your load. Ways you can save each month include brewing your own coffee, cooking at home more often (which is healthier as well), and ditching cable for streaming services. Another idea is to refinance your home which can either lower your monthly mortgage payment or give you a cash infusion which can be used to pay off debts.

Let go of negative thoughts and energy.

A negative environment at home will have an unwelcome effect on your mental health. When the tension is so thick you can cut it with a knife, it’s time to boost your home’s positivity. Start by cleaning and decluttering the rooms you and your family are in the most. Next, head to the bedrooms and, finally, clear out the garage. Today notes that living with less clutter is a great way to reduce visual distractions. And, if nothing else, you won’t have a dirty house weighing on your mind at night, and you’ll likely get to bed earlier and enjoy all the benefits of a good night’s sleep.

Shut down your devices.

One healthy habit that everyone can do is to step away from technology and clear your mind. Clutter is not the only visual distraction, and social media, the news, and a constant barrage of screens can cause mental confusion and irritability. Plus, as Bellin Health acknowledges, leaving technology behind can improve your focus and give you an opportunity to enjoy nature. If, because of work or other factors, you can’t take a digital sabbatical, do at least try to meditate in a quiet room for a few minutes each day. This will help you be more mindful of your surroundings, including helping you to acknowledge how digital and physical clutter scrambles your health.

The simple actions above won’t alter your routine terribly, but they will put you that much closer to living a healthy, whole, and happy lifestyle. Choose one to start with, and then build upon your healthy habits. Soon, you’ll find that being well is the norm, and you’ll be better off for it.

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By Stephanie Haywood

The initial stages of entrepreneurship are filled with excitement and superpower drive. Your passion for your business keeps you on a fast-paced high, but after a while, those long hours spent building your business can get overwhelming. You may find it hard to step away, but it is important to understand that the time you spend relaxing and taking care of yourself is just as important as the hours you spend managing your business.

Make Work-Life Balance a Priority

Creating a work-life balance is critical in relieving daily stress. Prolonged stress leads to negative physical and mental issues such as headaches, chest pain, loss of sleep, anxiety, difficulty concentrating and depression. None of these symptoms will make you a better business owner, and they can negatively affect your personal life. Prioritizing your time for your business and for you creates a healthy balance that promotes the physical and mental strength you need to be efficient and successful in your work and home life. 

Set a Schedule and Stick to It

At times you need to work extra hours, but otherwise create a daily schedule and commit to it. That includes work-related appointments, lunch breaks, exercise and quality time for family and friends. Keeping a calendar prioritizes what’s important, decreases procrastination, relieves anxiety, saves time and ensures you are setting aside sessions each day for yourself.

Taking small breaks from the business and employees is a good stress reliever. Rely on your workers to operate the business while you take quick walks and run errands. Just as important is taking longer breaks by scheduling a day or week off. You can also create a change of scenery by committing to working from home one or two days a week. If you run your business at home, schedule daily breaks to get out of the house or make sure you do something completely different than work.

Commit to Routine Exercise

Skipping exercise is one of the first things many people do to save time in their busy day, but neglecting physical activity takes its toll on your overall health. Routine exercise not only makes your muscles and bones stronger, but it also creates happiness, reduces stress and makes you more energetic. Do what you enjoy so you are motivated to do it. Take a walk, bike ride or jog. You can also explore CrossFit Gotham’s training programs to experience the overall benefits.

Create Time for Yourself

To help manage your work and home life, hire a professional to take on one or two responsibilities and give you time for beneficial exercise and playtime. For your home, hire someone to clean or assume the lawn care.

For your business, hire an accountant. One study found that 28 percent of small businesses had received a notice from the IRS or had been audited. Give yourself time back and relieve yourself of that anxiety. If you are ever audited, your accountant can take that burden as well.

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance means taking care of yourself. Neglecting physical activity and time for relaxation in order to build your business often results in negative stress that can cause illness. Setting time aside each day for you benefits your mental and physical health, which in turn brings you more happiness in your relationships and additional energy and cognitive strength for operating your business.