| As you probably know all to well, the cost of | | | | formula include more energy, self confidence, less |
| healthcare and health insurance premiums continue | | | | stress, and increased productivity. If you are not |
| to increase at levels substantially above the | | | | doing so already, I encourage you to consider |
| general inflation rate. The reasons given for these | | | | practical ways to promote a healthy lifestyle for |
| extraordinary cost increases are numerous and | | | | you and your family. For example, one of the |
| include: technological advancements in the medical | | | | individual health insurance companies my |
| field, increased demand for medical services and | | | | organization works with has an option that will |
| prescription drugs, the aging of the population, | | | | offset 25% of the annual cost of a health club |
| cost shifting caused by the uninsured and | | | | membership. Simple things such as taking a walk, |
| governmental reimbursement rates, state and | | | | bike ride, or going swimming promote both a |
| federal mandates, and costs associated with | | | | healthy body and mind. If you have a sweet |
| medical related lawsuits. | | | | tooth, consider limiting yourself to eating desert |
| As individual consumers, we have very little | | | | once a week. You will enjoy it more and your |
| control over some of the factors contributing to | | | | body will thank you. |
| the cost of healthcare. However, all of us have | | | | Health insurance premiums will continue to increase |
| control over lifestyle related health insurance | | | | as long as the cost of healthcare continues to go |
| claims. A simple formula of eating a balanced diet, | | | | up. The best way to reduce the overall cost of |
| getting the appropriate amount of daily exercise, | | | | healthcare is to decrease our need for healthcare. |
| participating in annual physicals and other | | | | Healthy lifestyle choices and prudent use of the |
| recommended routine care, limiting alcohol | | | | healthcare system are the best and easiest ways |
| consumption, and eliminating the use of tobacco | | | | to get a handle on our healthcare expenditures. |
| products will no doubt reduce our personal | | | | Perhaps the greatest benefit of a healthy lifestyle |
| healthcare costs. In addition to reducing medical | | | | is our ability to enjoy our precious time here on |
| costs, the other benefits of following such a | | | | earth to the fullest. |