Insurance coverage is decreasing—employers can’t afford it. 15% of all Americans have no insurance, and 23% of the working population has no insurance. From 1995-2001 the number of uninsured in the $50,000-$74,999 income range increased by 47%. It increased by 77% for people earning more than $75,000/yr.
Going without insurance has the potential to create financial disaster. If your finances are such that you feel that you cannot afford health insurance, then you need to take some basic steps to ensure that you do not get sick.
1. Reduce Stress: When you are under stress you produce hormones that can be harmful to your body. Stress can make you sick. It undermines your immune system and makes you more susceptible to the cold or flu. It is linked to heart disease, digestive problems, fatigue, headaches and even cancer. Something as simple as deep breathing exercises can do a world of good.
2. Watch what you eat: Eating sugar, for example, causes you to produce insulin. Excess insulin production is linked to high cholesterol, chronic inflammation and diabetes. Problems like gastric reflux, acne, fatigue and even fibromyalgia are easy to control when you watch what you eat. Also there are foods that are high in antioxidants that can protect you from things like heart disease and cancer.
3. Exercise moderately: Keep moving. Exercise can help reduce stress, prevent heart disease, fight depression and increase your energy.
While it is not a good idea to try to diagnose and treat yourself, knowledge about staying healthy is vital. This free online resource, http://www.wholehealthweb.com that gives you access to hundreds of articles, free tools and educational content showing you how to live a healthier life. There you can learn about stress reduction, diet, exercise and foods that are high in antioxidants. There is also a lot of information about the latest research in natural health care.
