If you’re looking to buy health insurance, keep in mind that the healthier you are, the cheaper you are to insure. And nothing keeps you healthy like a Make it and Mend it lifestyle.
Whether you’re looking at private health cover because you have to – the US model – or you want some additional benefits on top of state provision – more likely in the UK – the cost will reflect how healthy (or unhealthy) you are, as well other factors such as age.
Raised blood pressure, being overweight, pre-existing conditions – can all impact premiums, alongside lifestyle choices – for example, do you relax with a cigarette, or a couple of hours digging the garden?
Not only does a healthier you mean lower premiums when you first take out your cover, but the healthier you stay, the less likely premiums are to rise once you take out insurance.
And don’t forget to shop around. In the US, where insurance is essential, you can find dedicated price comparison sites that compare affordable health insurance, as well as helping you choose between different types of health plans
But before you buy, here’s our guide to being and staying healthy…
Mental wellbeing
Your mental well-being can impact on your physical health. Keep your immune system healthy by avoiding stress or countering with de-stressing activities.
Getting out in the sun, keeping active, making friends, having fun, are all beneficial. Coincidentally, all of these things come naturally to Make and Menders.
» Boosting your immunity » Knitting as therapy » Gardening as a tonic
Keeping your blood pressure down
Gardening not only acts as a de-stresser in itself, but water features, certain colours, bird life, as well as herbs and fragrances, can all have a beneficial effect. Even what you eat can have an impact on your physical well-being. For example, garlic is also regarded as good for your blood pressure – so why not grow it and eat it!
» The restorative garden » How to grow garlic
Maintaining a healthy weight
We all understand the basics of losing weight – take more exercise and eat fewer calories. But it’s surprising how hard this can be, given our modern lifestyles, where there doesn’t seem enough time to prepare food or ‘take the stairs’. Make and Menders have an advantage.
Cooking, gardening, sewing and DIY, all help to burn the calories. Quick to prepare, home made food options don’t hide the calories the way so many pre-prepared or fast foods do.
» 10 minute recipes
Becoming a non-smoker
If you want to give up smoking successfully, it’s useful to think about why and when you smoke. Is it just a de-stresser? Do you find that when you don’t smoke you need something to do with your hands? Alongside quitting programmes, taking up an activity that takes you away from traditional smoking environments and gives you a displacement activity. Dust off the tools and work your way through that list of chores. Or re-acquaint yourself with the sewing machine.
» Sewing for beginners
Reducing cancer risks
Eating fresh fruit and vegetables and minimising preservatives and chemicals in our diets and environments are sensible steps to ensure a healthy lifestyle. Nothing comes fresher than fruit and veg you’ve picked yourself that day.
And if you’re concerned about the amount of chemicals you come into contact with in everyday life, think about making changes – such as switching to green or natural alternatives to household cleaners.
» Make your own household cleaners
