The cost of living is not the only thing that has seen a significant increase. The cost of our health in many ways has also gone up so how does the average American get healthy and stay healthy? That’s a great question.

As I recently rang in the New Year, I also turned 55 on the day before. To some 55 may seem young, while to others it may seem old. However, to me it makes me realize that I’m more than half way through my lifespan if I can possibly live to be 101 years old like my great grandmother did. It also makes me realize the importance of good health which can be difficult to achieve for some who have been diagnosed with different diseases. Unfortunately, I know this too well since I was diagnosed with diabetes a little over a year ago. So, in December I did my best to get in all my yearly exams from a pap to a mammogram to extensive blood work which made me question if my nurses were really vampires as they siphoned eight tubes of blood from the top of my hand because veins collapse easily in the arms.

Though my other exams came back with positive reports, my bloodwork was not as positive and showed an autoimmune disorder of Sjogren’s syndrome. So now I have been referred to a specialist and will have to go see a rheumatologist. Thankfully I have good insurance through my husband’s company but I still get amazed at what doctor visits, emergency visits, medication and medical operations cost today.

I have seen different doctors who charge $266$359 for an office visit. When I had to go to the emergency room because of a torn muscle in my leg it cost over $3,500. My hand surgery for carpal tunnel cost over $4,000. My diabetic medicines run over $1,000 each month. The stint in my husband’s heart cost over $84,000. His cataract surgery cost over $4,800. Thank God we have insurance that pays 80 percent in most cases plus he gets help because of being a veteran. However, there are still times that we struggle with even paying the other 20 percent, the copays and all the out of pockets expenses that add up very quickly.

My poor daughter has no insurance and has to see a doctor monthly due to scoliosis and fibromyalgia. Those expenses easily run over $200 every month and that’s not including all the gas used to go to and from the doctor’s office which is over 60 miles at $2.59 a gallon.

The cost of eating healthy is crazy too. Anything healthy or fresh seems to cost twice as much as junk food plus can perish more quickly.

Then there’s the cost of all the health supplements I buy from the health food store trying to get healthier and stay well. I can easily drop $100 or more on vitamins and supplements each month and I would buy more if I could afford it.

To me the cost of our health is the biggest problem today. It just costs way too much to try and get healthy and stay healthy. However, you can’t afford the alternative of becoming more sick and ending up in the hospital where the average length of stay is five days at $2,207 a day or more. Then there’s the worst case scenario of dying and leaving your loved ones with a $12,000 or more funeral bill.

So, do what you can to get healthy this year because the alternative cost is too great. Whether it’s drinking more water, eating healthier foods, or joining a gym or free exercise class at your library, do something that will balance your life and your health. You also need to think about your mental and spiritual health. Read a good book, get a massage or go out with good friends to keep your mental status in check and most importantly make time every day to talk to the Lord. Each day get up and do something for yourself that helps keep you healthy physically, mentally and spiritually in 2024.

Stay happy and healthy my friends!