Chronic illnesses and severe disabilities can make it hard to stay healthy and save, but that doesn’t mean it is impossible. You may wonder if exercise is a good idea in your situation.

Besides maintaining physical fitness, another component of living your best life is maintaining financial health, which can be challenging when you’re ill.

While insurance is a necessary means to financial wellness when you’re chronically ill, some challenges might come to mind. For example, you may wonder if you can get life insurance with COPD or another specific disease.

We’ll provide you with a few tips on how to live a healthy, fulfilling, and financially stable life even when dealing with medical issues.

If at all able, you should exercise because it has the potential to make your life better. Regular exercise may help you maintain your health or even improve it.

Exercising While Chronically Ill

The only people who can give you an idea of what’s safe and what isn’t when exercising are your healthcare provider and yourself. But generally, the right exercises are good for you even if you have a chronic illness.

Exercise is broad and could include everything from deep breathing to running marathons. What’s right for you might not be suitable for someone else. Doing the right exercises for your health condition is an excellent way to make the most out of what life has dealt you.

Types of Exercise

Before starting an exercise program, consult with your doctor. Below are some ideas you may want to consider.

Go outside – Sunshine and fresh air are good for just about everyone. Of course, what you do is up to you, but you’ll be amazed at how much better going out might help you feel.
Practice yoga – Yoga can be gentle. You can do it in a chair. Alternatively, it can be invigorating and strenuous. Yoga serves both your mind and body and can help you feel restored.
Push your heart – If you can get a cardio workout in, the benefits to your heart will help your whole body.
Work your brain – Challenging your mind to learn a new language, do new puzzles, try online gaming, or figure out problems can help you stay in a growth mindset. When you experience the benefits of keeping your brain active, you’ll become more confident in dealing with whatever life throws.

Benefits of Exercise

There are so many benefits of exercising that we can’t share them all, but here are a few to motivate you. Exercise improves your mind and mood. Dealing with chronic disease is stressful, but people who work out tend to be happier and have reduced stress levels.

Physical activity also helps your body by keeping you flexible and strong. In addition, cardiovascular workouts improve artery and blood vessel elasticity lowering your risk of several heart problems.

Working out can help you maintain independence. It’s challenging to push yourself physically, but exercising is worth it, especially if it helps you meet your lifestyle goals.

Another benefit is that regular exercise leads to better sleep, and better sleep can help your whole body.

Fueling Your Body While Chronically Ill

Nutrition is a crucial component of physical fitness. Your doctor or a nutritionist can often help you develop a diet plan to support your body’s fight for health.

Natural foods come in various colors, and you should eat as many colors throughout the day as possible. Doing so will help to ensure you eat food with multiple vitamins and minerals. Focus on healthy berries, dark leafy vegetables, carrots, and citrus to get started and expand your palette.

Healthy proteins are essential for building strength and wellness, while processed, sugar-laden foods work against your body.

Your healthcare provider may recommend supplements to target your specific needs to complement your diet plan.

Building Financial Stability Despite Chronic Illness

There’s no way around the fact that treatment for chronic diseases is costly. The most helpful strategy to combat these costs is health insurance.

Health Insurance

Health insurance plans can’t deny you coverage for preexisting conditions, so if you’ve avoided getting health insurance because you figured you’d be denied coverage, it’s time to compare policies.

When comparing health insurance plans, look specifically for how they cover the treatments you already receive. Chances are, you’ll need continued care in these areas, so you’ll need insurance with adequate coverage.

You’ll have to pay premiums for health insurance, but at least when you have coverage, you can budget for your premiums and out-of-pocket expenses that you anticipate.

Life Insurance

Some diagnoses can make finding life insurance almost impossible. There are guaranteed life insurance policies that don’t require a medical exam, but those plans are expensive.

You may still be able to get life insurance if you have a chronic illness if your diagnosis doesn’t lead to a shorter lifespan. The best way to determine your eligibility is to compare life insurance quotes and policies. Just because one company won’t offer you a policy doesn’t mean another won’t.

Life insurance is generally for those you leave behind when you die, but some permanent life insurance policies have a provision for you to tap into your account. You may even be able to continue making payments by paying from the savings you’ve built up while paying your premiums over the years.

Some life insurance policies also have an early payout option if you’re diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Disability Insurance

If you already had a disability insurance policy before becoming ill, and you’re no longer able to work, you can claim short-term and long-term disability. These payments can help you ensure an income every month if you cannot earn a paycheck.

You need to get disability insurance before you get sick. If you’re already unable to work, you won’t be eligible for a disability policy.

You may also be eligible for cheaper auto insurance based on disability status, particularly if your disability came from military work. Discounts for disabled veterans and civilians can improve your financial security.

In addition to insurance policies that can help you remain financially stable, you should make a budget that factors in medical and travel expenses in addition to your regular monthly costs.

Prioritize your budget list to help you decide what you can and cannot cut from your budget.

About the Author

Melanie Musson writes and researches for the life insurance comparison site, LifeInsurancePost.com. She’s passionate about helping others work toward health and wellness so they can enjoy life to the fullest.