Taking Back Control of Health Insurance: What are the easier wins with the most ROI?

Your body is a temple for your spirit. Just as you treat temples with respect, you should treat your body with respect. 1 Corinthians 3:16–17

What are the easier wins with the most ROI?

Hydration is high on the list. And I like this memorable image.

The obvious problems of dehydration are the distractions of feeling thirsty or dry mouth (and some people confuse thirst with hunger, which creates other problems).

But the positive is that you have little or no urge to pee, which leaves more for work, golf, etc.

Seriously though…the less obvious direct results of dehydration include dry, scratchy skin, headaches (including hangovers), light-headedness/dizziness, fast heart rate, the dreaded constipation, and my personal experience with orthostatic hypotension.

Water aids digestion and gets rid of waste. It acts as a lubricant for your joints. Your brain needs it to create hormones and neurotransmitters. And not surprising, it helps regulate your body temperature.

The Solution: You’ve heard that our healthcare system is really a 'sick care system'? That's where the money is. But that's poor leadership and poor stewardship of God’s gifts to you. 

The solution is too easy and literally costs about $0.01/person /day (unless you only drink bottled water).

Try these 7 tips to drink more water from the Mayo Clinic and Corporate Wellness Magazine.

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A. Spice up your drinking experience. If you don't like the taste of plain water, add some fruit slices (cantaloupe, pineapple, and watermelon) or cucumber slices to add a little flavor. Cinnamon sticks can also work.

1. Freeze lemon or lime slices in place of ice cubes and try adding a little ginger. Bubbly or sparkling water is festive and provides hydration without added sugar.
2. Alternate your drinks. If you can't give up soda or juice completely, try alternating with water. Each time you finish a glass of water, switch to soda or juice and vice versa. Just try to limit the added-sugar levels.

B. Set a goal. The recommended amount of water per day is half of your body weight in ounces. Once you know the magic number, make it a game to get at least that each day. Offer a challenge with co-workers and prizes! Everything is more fun as a competition.

C. Take it to go. Drinking enough water when you are the go can be challenging. Fill your water bottle before you leave home, and bring it along on your daily travels.

D. Set a timer for mental triggers. Create a few alarms on your phone, and each 'buzz' will remind you it's time for water!

E. Eat your water. Food contains water, too, and should not be discounted when it comes to hydration. High water-content foods such as cucumber, lettuce, celery, tomatoes, bell peppers, cauliflower, spinach, berries, broccoli, grapefruit, grapes, and zucchini make awesome work snacks paired with hummus or a light dip. Pick your favorites and always have these on hand as go-to snacks for when cravings start.

F. Always drink water before AND after any fitness activity. By the time you actually get thirsty during a workout your body is already depleted. For fast and easy hydration, try using Nuun electrolyte tablets to make sure body is fueled and ready to go!

G. Track it. Invest in a high-tech bottle that connects to your smartphone and records how much you drink. Or set an alarm as a reminder and track your intake in your calendar. 

(*)The Cost of Water

The EPA reported that a family of 4 uses about 400 gallons of water per day, which is 12,000 gallons per month for bathing, cooking, washing, recreation and watering.. The City of Marietta(*) has a base charge $7, then $7 for first 2,000 gallons, and then $5 for each additional 1,000 gallons. So 12,000 gallons cost about $82, which is <$0.01/gal

If you bought bottled water in the store for 

$20 for 24 bottles 500ml, which is 12,000ml = 12 liters = <4 gallons. So about 50,000% higher than the $0.04 for tap (or filtered) water.

AND if you buy water at an event or restaurant for $3.00 and it's 200,000% higher.



(*) I didn't use the City of Atlanta, because they charge by the cubic foot, and that's too much math. The rates are similar.

While we have much to share, what do you want to know so that we can prioritize that content? It could be about you personally, or about your family or employees. Is it advice from doctors or dealing with the insurance carriers?

You're invited to send a message to [email protected], call me at 770.335.0077 or schedule a conversation because just as iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.....and our community sharpens our community. In other words, we need each other to be their healthiest.