National nonprofit ACCC provides consumers with tips to improve financial and physical health.
Boston, MA – January 30, 2015
National nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling is helping consumeHealthy Lifestylers get physically and financially fit during Financial Wellness Month this January. ACCC is providing simple and easy ways for Americans to get on a healthy track when it comes to finances and physical health in 2015.
“With a new year comes new personal goals, and more Americans are striving to achieve financial and physical fitness,” said Steve Trumble, President and CEO of ACCC. “Studies show that financial and physical fitness are often linked, and ACCC is providing advice and tips so that consumers can get on the right track and achieve their goals.”
It’s no secret that an unhealthy lifestyle can lead to an unhealthy budget. Visits to the doctor’s office, medical procedures, medicine and missed days of work are all expenses that can be prevented by making the effort to live a healthier life. Here are some tips to improve your physical well-being that can lead to enhanced financial health.
Healthy Diet
Excessive consumption of refined sugars, processed foods and preservatives can weaken your immune system and lead to more frequent illness. Try to eat healthy on a budget and maintain a diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. Although eating healthier food can sometimes increase the cost of groceries, there are many online resources consumers can utilize to eat healthy while keeping costs down.
Exercise
Physical fitness is important and you can exercise regularly without breaking the bank on monthly gym memberships and equipment. Walking, running or jogging a few times a week is a great way to burn extra calories and maintain a healthy heart. You can also purchase used equipment or ask friends and family about hand-me-downs they are no longer using. Most exercising can be done without any equipment at all and can still hit every muscle group in your body. Search online for free exercise regimens to stay healthy on a limited budget. (And remember to always consult with your physician before beginning any physical exercise routine).
Sleep
The average person requires 7-8 hours of sleep per night. Your immune system relies on sleep to stay healthy. If you are sleep deficient, your body may become more vulnerable to sickness and infections.
Unhealthy Habits
Along with poor diet and lack of exercise, bad habits like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can also weaken your immune system or lead to illness and cost you thousands a year. Try to cut back or eliminate these habits, or seek help for problems with addiction.
Reduce Stress
While better physical health can save you money, poor financial health, in turn, can impact your mental health. Any of the aforementioned strategies can help you feel better physically and also reduce your stress. Exercising is a great outlet for relieving tension and anxiety. Yoga and meditation are other inexpensive activities that can help reduce stress, including anxiety you may be feeling about your finances. Find an activity or technique that relaxes you.
ACCC is a 501(c)3 organization, that provides free credit counseling, bankruptcy counseling, and housing counseling to consumers nationwide in need of financial literacy education and money management. For more information, contact ACCC:
- For credit counseling, call 800-769-3571
- For bankruptcy counseling. call 866-826-6924
- For housing counseling, call 866-826-7180
- Or visit us online at ConsumerCredit.com
About American Consumer Credit Counseling
American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to empowering consumers to achieve financial health through education, counseling, and debt management. ACCC provides individuals with practical solutions for solving financial problems and recognizes that consumers’ financial difficulties are often not the result of poor spending habits, but more frequently from extenuating circumstances beyond their control. As one of the nation’s leading providers of financial education and credit counseling services, ACCC works with consumers to help them with the best plan of action to reduce their debt and regain financial stability. ACCC is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and holds an A+ rating. It is also a member of the Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies. For more information or to access free financial education resources log on to ConsumerCredit.com or visit TalkingCentsBlog.com.
