Did you know that almost half of all Australians have health conditions that could be prevented?
By looking after your body and mind by eating well, being active, getting vaccinated, regular health screening, refraining from smoking and moderating your alcohol intake, you can prevent many diseases and keep healthy (health.gov.au). This is known as preventative health, something the Australian Government is hugely committed through their National Preventive Health Strategy 2021–2030.
For many the rising costs of living are adding pressure to our budgets and we are taking steps to minimise our spending as a result. Our health however needs to remain a priority at all times and especially in times of financial difficulty. It is hard to separate health and finances, as often we feel we are our healthiest when we have money to spend, yet it’s often when we are at our healthiest that we are earning our most. Poor health therefore can affect our earning capacity and can become a negative cycle. Investing in our health has many positive rewards.
How to prioritise your health on a budget
The steps we take to maintain our health – a good diet, exercise, keeping up to date with vaccinations and health screenings shouldn’t stop when we are budgeting. They may however need to be adapted, with healthy substitutions playing an integral part where possible.
Prioritising a healthy diet
Only 1 in 13 adults eat enough fruit and vegetables and 94% of children consume less than the recommended amount of daily vegetables. Eating seasonal fruits and vegetables, growing your own, and clever meal planning are all budget friendly ways of maintaining a healthy diet. Cancer Council has some great healthy eating advice on healthy eating and cancer prevention.
Prioritising exercise
If you are a regular at a gym or sports class and can afford to maintain this – of course you should. If however you need to reduce outgoings then there are many free options available for exercise. Locally we have Park Runs in both Coffs Harbour & Urunga, a free 5km community event where you can choose to walk, jog or run. In Woopi the Wilgulga sports facility offers a wide range of sporting activities. For only $5 you can enjoy a session of social pickleball or use the multi-sports facilities with a casual session. A great budget friendly option right on our doorstep.
Prioritising a good night’s sleep
Not regularly getting a good night’s sleep can have detrimental impacts on both physical and mental health. Read more in our blog ‘5 tips for a better night’s sleep’.
Preventative medicine
Preventive medicine is the practice of promoting preventive health care to improve patient well-being. The goal is to ultimately prevent disease, disability, and death (health.gov.au).
In order to prioritise your health and wellbeing a check-in with a professional can help. Our GP’s can help provide you with the most up-to-date advice and guide you through the best things you can do to support your individual health and wellbeing. They can also provide information and arrange relevant vaccinations and health screenings as well as refer you to a range of health services and health professionals for specialist services.
Vaccinations and Health Screenings
In NSW we have a recommended vaccination schedule for children and adults. We also have 5 population-based screening programs including newborn blood and hearing screening, bowel cancer screening, breast and cervical screening.
Investing in your health
Investing in preventative healthcare, limits your spending on unplanned and preventable disease and illness which can be very costly. More Australians are striving to prioritise their overall health and wellbeing, with over 40% increasing their focus and spending on health in 2022, according to NAB.
One of the best things you can do to support your health and wellbeing is to get in the habit of scheduling regular wellness check ups, rather than just engaging with your doctor when you are sick or injured. Regular check ups can help find health issues early and even prevent some health concerns.
To discuss your health and wellbeing, or book your next health assessment call us on, call us on (02) 6654 1282 or pop in to the surgery to book your next appointment.