Your health is your most valuable asset. People often take their health for granted and only appreciate its importance when something goes wrong. Whether it’s a financial investment or dedicating your time and energy, investing in your health will give you the best chance of feeling your best now and in the long run. By making healthy choices you can reduce your likelihood of chronic disease and improve your quality of life.
Below are some of the ways that you can invest in yourself to improve your health and wellbeing.
Financially
Private health insurance
Private health insurance gives you faster access to certain treatments. With NHS waiting times getting longer each year, having private health insurance can help you avoid those long waiting times and access your necessary treatment faster. It also gives you peace of mind that when something goes wrong with your health, you don’t have to add on the extra stress of waiting for a long time to get your health back on track.
When you’re unwell it can be challenging to feel like yourself, and harder to prioritise your health. By investing in private health insurance you can be confident knowing that if something goes wrong, you’re covered. Find out more about private health insurance and the benefits of investing in it.
Health cash plan
Another option for investing money in your health is with a health cash plan. A health cash plan covers you for a range of everyday medical care, including optical, dental, chiropody, therapy treatments, homoeopathy, maternity/paternity/adoption and day surgery. People will often put off appointments due to the cost. By having a health cash plan you know you’re already covered for the cost of these appointments, meaning you could be less likely to avoid going.
We have five different levels of health cash plans available. Each one works by paying a standard monthly fee, ranging from £8.09 for level 1 to £49.39 for level 5. The amount you can claim back for your medical treatments and appointments depends on the level you choose, with each having a different set limit. Read more about our health cash plans and their benefits.
Time and effort
Physically
Establishing healthy physical wellbeing habits can be beneficial to your health. Adults should try to be active every day and aim to do at least 150 minutes of physical activity over a week, and this means dedicating time to exercising. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that being active can improve your brain health, help manage weight, reduce disease risk, strengthen bones and muscles and improve your ability to do everyday activities.
To get into a healthy habit of doing regular physical activity the most important thing is to enjoy what you’re doing. Whether you enjoy a long daily walk or would rather be lifting weights in the gym, spend your time doing what you want and it won’t feel like a chore.
Mentally
Emotional and mental health plays a vital role in your life as it impacts your thoughts, behaviours and emotions. Knowing the importance of your mental wellbeing and investing time to take care of it is important for your health.
Investing in your mental wellbeing will look different for everyone and you need to find what works best for you. As with physical health, you need to dedicate time to activities that can help. Some things to try include meditation, limiting screen time, a mood diary or talking to a professional about your mental health.
Nutrition
Eating a balanced diet gives you the energy you need to keep active throughout the day and the nutrients necessary to stay healthy. A healthy diet includes nutrient-dense foods from all major food groups, including lean proteins, whole grains, healthful fats and fruits and vegetables of many colours.
The easiest way to make sure you’re eating a nutrient-rich diet is to take the time to prepare what you’re eating ahead of time. When you’re already hungry it can be easy to go for the fastest option, especially when you haven’t got a plan for what you’re going to eat. Spend some time in your week creating a food plan where you can make sure your meals are well-balanced and prepare what you’re going to eat ahead of mealtime.
Taking the steps to invest in your health and wellbeing
Whether you are looking to invest financially into your health or dedicate your time and energy, every investment you make is one step closer to a healthy lifestyle.
At Westfield Health we offer both health cash plans and private health insurance at different levels, so you can choose what works best for you. Find out more about our different insurance plans and find a level that suits your budget.
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