As 2025 begins and thousands of resolutions are made, there is no better time to improve your health and lifestyle. What’s more, you may be surprised to learn that by improving your wellbeing, you can also help your bank balance.
Listed below are some simple strategies to help you dads achieve your wellness goals this year, whilst saving money at the same time.
Let’s get active
Incorporating exercise into your regular routine can increase endorphins and improve fitness levels. Whilst there are workouts which aren’t for everyone, finding the right activity for you can help kickstart your week off right, enhancing both your physical and mental health.
Life often gets in the way of setting time aside to include a workout, especially when you have a young family, but by making better day to day choices such as taking the stairs or going for a walk during your lunch break can make a significant difference longer term.
If possible, consider cycling or walking to work which is an excellent way to both cut down on rising fuel costs, whilst also getting some valuable exercise.
Consider finding a sport that you enjoy and use it to enhance your downtime, as well as improving your health. Perhaps engage a friend or the children in your chosen activity, to ensure you still partake even when you don’t feel up to it.
Quit smoking
Whilst an obvious option, quitting smoking can be one of the most beneficial ways to improve your health and save you pennies. By cutting out smoking you could reduce the risk of serious illness, improve your lung capacity and increase your life expectancy – a no brainer.
Even if you smoke just 10 cigarettes a day, you could be spending around £45 per week on the habit, equating to over £2000 a year. In fact, smoking can also have a negative effect on the cost of other regular family outgoings such as life insurance, health insurance, mortgage protection and healthcare costs.
For example, life insurance providers will ask you about your smoking status during the application to help calculate the cost of your monthly premiums, with non-smokers paying significantly less for cover (as a future claim is statistically less likely). You can compare dads life insurance completely free of charge through leading broker Reassured.
Start going for checkups
Many of us dads are pretty good at avoiding visiting the doctor, however scheduling in checkups can help to identify any potential health issues at an early stage.
Depending on your age and medical history, having routine tests can help identify if there are any issues or if you need to improve an element of your health to prevent risks (for example having high blood pressure or diabetes).
In terms of money saving, addressing these issues early on and following medical advice could help reduce the likelihood for needing expensive treatments in the long run or having to taking time off work.
Making healthier choices
Eating healthier, cutting down on your alcohol consumption, reducing the number takeaways you have are all habits that can improve your mental and physical health whilst saving you from overspending.
Integrating whole foods and portion control into your diet can slice your food shop in half, as well as improving your energy levels. Dieting doesn’t mean cutting out the foods you enjoy but including all food groups and making your body feel better for it.
Whilst it can be hard cutting down on pleasures such as alcohol, when consumed in large units it can be a main contender in weight gain, as well as mental health and other medical conditions. Making smarter drink choices or having a break from alcohol can show you the benefits of cutting down. Instead of sinking a six-pack at home whilst watching the football, why not limit your drinking to a weekend treat with friends.
Lastly, find what gets YOU motivated. Whether that’s working out with friends, joining a club to make new acquaintances, participating in online challenges or setting personal goals. Make 2025 the year you become a healthier, happier version of yourself and the best dad you can be.