Thank you to Amanda for this guest post! I should be back later this week.

“It’s too expensive to be healthy – first there’s the food, then the workout programs, then the transitioning to better personal care and cleaning supplies – I just can’t afford all that!”

I get it. It absolutely can be expensive.

But it doesn’t have to be.

There are so many things that you could do to be healthier that don’t cost you anything, but let’s go over just a few together (*I will add the disclaimer that, while I am a nurse, I am not a doctor, I cannot diagnose or prescribe a treatment of a health condition. You might need to discuss some of these changes with your physician prior to implementing them).

1. Drink Water

Most of us are chronically dehydrated, but we don’t know it. Chapped lips, dry skin, and intense food cravings are all signs that our bodies don’t have enough water. Next time you are in need of something to sip on, reach for water.

I find that my water intake increases dramatically if I make the effort to fill up a water bottle first thing in the morning, and drink one water bottle’s worth of water before I drink my morning coffee.

2. Move Your Body

The amount which you can do this will vary greatly depending on the person. For some, this means taking the stairs instead of the elevator. For others, this might mean chair yoga.

Whatever you can do, commit to moving your body. Exercise promotes circulation, assists the body’s lymphatic system with detox, and releases endorphins (the “feel good” hormones).

You absolutely do not need a gym or a bunch of fancy equipment to get started with an exercise routine. Oftentimes, you just need to start.

3. Meditate

Meditation isn’t just for hippies anymore, as more people are recognizing the benefits of meditation. Regular practice of meditation is shown to help increase mindfulness, help decrease symptoms of anxiety, and reduce stress.

The practice of meditation also often gives the individual a chance to pause and examine themselves in an authentic and non-threatening manner. This can be extremely powerful in identifying and correcting old thought patterns and habits, and is a good tool to have in your personal development journey, as well as your health practice.

For help with meditation, search for guided meditations on YouTube and find one that speaks to you.

4. Replace Your Cleaning And Personal Care Products

Okay, so this one requires product. In all fairness, they are products you probably already have in your pantry: baking soda and vinegar.

Baking soda can replace your abrasive scrub cleaners in your kitchen and your bathroom. Should you ever run out and Target is closed, baking soda can work in a pinch as tooth powder, and also as a gentle facial exfoliator.

Vinegar is an effective cleaning spray that cuts through grease and grime but leaves a streak-free shine. Spray on glass for the cleanest clean you’ve ever experienced. Cut with an equal part of olive oil, and you have yourself a non-toxic dusting spray and effective wood furniture and floor cleaner.

Limiting the chemicals in your household products can be very beneficial to your health, as some chemicals can disrupt healthy hormone function. The bonus here is that baking soda and vinegar might cost you $2 at the store, but will last a very long time.

Being healthy on a budget doesn’t have to be expensive, but it does often require a dose of creativity. As you make healthy changes in your lifestyle, you will begin to notice other resources around you that will help you along your journey – they do exist!

Cheers to health!

Amanda Kintz is an RN, wife, mom, coffee enthusiast, and blogger at CrunchyHippieLife.com, where she blogs about living a natural and eco-friendly lifestyle on a budget. Her first full-length book, Dirt Cheap Adult: A Millennial’s Guide to Life, launches June 15, 2018!