It seems as if everyone wants to figure out a way to maintain good health. Maybe it’s just human nature or some kind of universal desire to live as long as possible. But what are some of the actual benefits, specifically, of staying in reasonably good shape? It’s not about becoming a body building or competitive athlete, but more focused on general physical well-being.
In other words, you might say that a those who visit the doctor are not advised about changing their lifestyle fit the definition of being acceptably fit, free of major diseases, and lacking negative lifestyle habits. So, what do you get for all the effort, all the trouble it takes to consistently eat right, exercise, avoid smoking, not drink too much alcohol, and basically take care of yourself? Actually, you get quite a lot. Here’s a short list of the rewards of healthful living.
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Longevity
For many people, even if they don’t admit it, maintaining moderate levels of physical fitness is about living longer. You don’t need to be a doctor or a scientist to see this simple truth. Those who live healthful lives are not as apt to fall victim to a whole host of illnesses and maladies. Adding extra years to your life is a worthy goal, and one that has motivated people to make smart lifestyle choices for centuries.
Inexpensive Life Insurance
Have you priced life insurance lately? If you have, then you know that every carrier offers lower premiums for applicants who are in good health. In fact, some companies have multiple categories that range from risky to excellent. For example, if you don’t drink alcohol to excess, don’t use tobacco, are height-weight proportionate, and don’t take part in risky activities, you’ll pay much less, on average, than people who have to check the box next to one or more of those risk categories.
This can make a big difference when selling your policy for cash. That’s because many types of life policies come with cash components. The longer you have the coverage, the higher the cash value should you decide to sell the policy. If you’re unfamiliar with the basics of selling a life insurance policy, you can get an estimate online of your policy’s value, and it just takes a few seconds.
Enjoyment
Perhaps the most obvious advantage of staying fit is that you can enjoy life to the fullest. When you’re up and about, and not in pain, you have lots of options. In addition to travel, you can take part in sports, go for long walks to relax, do yoga, take a dance class, go for morning jogs, and take advantage of all the great things that come with being mobile, happy, and fit.
Lower Health Care Costs
In addition to saving on life insurance premiums, as noted above, when you are fit and healthy, you’ll not have to spend as much on health care. That old saying about an ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure translates directly into a monetary equation. Pay attention to your health on a daily basis is a smart way to protect your long-term financial fitness too.