K
kacey
Guest
You may think getting healthier and fitter means shelling out big bucks for leaner cuts of meat, organic produce, and a gym membership that tacks on all sorts of hidden fees. But being active can yield financial benefits in addition to the expected health and performance gains.
Besides all the ways you can save money getting fit right away, living a healthier lifestyle has long-term financial benefits, too. Here are a few examples of your potential monetary gains:
1. Boosted Productivity at Work or School
Research finds that people who exercise at least three times per week are more productive and miss fewer workdays than their less active counterparts. That means if you're active, you're more likely to enjoy a long, well-paying career with plenty of promotions. Indeed, studies show that regular exercisers earn more money on average than their sedentary coworkers (6 percent more for men and 10 percent more for women). You don't even have to be in the workforce yet to benefit from exercise's effects on productivity: Attending school more often and with more energy and focus can propel students toward better grades and greater success in their future careers.
2. Service Cost Savings
Being more active around the house can save you money on services like house cleaning, yard work, and gardening. The savings from doing your own chores add up quickly – as do the calories you burn incorporating physical activity into your daily routine.
3. Lower Transportation Costs
If you add more active transportation – walking or cycling, for example – into your lifestyle whenever possible, you'll see the gains in several ways. Walking your kids to school in the morning, cycling to the grocery store if you need a few items on a Saturday afternoon, or even running part of the way to work each day will save gas money, parking fees (if you live or work in an urban area) and maybe even car insurance costs. Remember, every minute you spend moving instead of sitting on the couch or in the car is another step toward better health.
Besides all the ways you can save money getting fit right away, living a healthier lifestyle has long-term financial benefits, too. Here are a few examples of your potential monetary gains:
1. Boosted Productivity at Work or School
Research finds that people who exercise at least three times per week are more productive and miss fewer workdays than their less active counterparts. That means if you're active, you're more likely to enjoy a long, well-paying career with plenty of promotions. Indeed, studies show that regular exercisers earn more money on average than their sedentary coworkers (6 percent more for men and 10 percent more for women). You don't even have to be in the workforce yet to benefit from exercise's effects on productivity: Attending school more often and with more energy and focus can propel students toward better grades and greater success in their future careers.
2. Service Cost Savings
Being more active around the house can save you money on services like house cleaning, yard work, and gardening. The savings from doing your own chores add up quickly – as do the calories you burn incorporating physical activity into your daily routine.
3. Lower Transportation Costs
If you add more active transportation – walking or cycling, for example – into your lifestyle whenever possible, you'll see the gains in several ways. Walking your kids to school in the morning, cycling to the grocery store if you need a few items on a Saturday afternoon, or even running part of the way to work each day will save gas money, parking fees (if you live or work in an urban area) and maybe even car insurance costs. Remember, every minute you spend moving instead of sitting on the couch or in the car is another step toward better health.
