If you could do something to keep your body healthy for the remainder of your lifetime, would you do it? During a time of economic despair, people are becoming less able to afford quality health insurance. Yet, it seems the less you can afford it, the more you need it. What if you were so healthy that you never needed to foot another hospital bill? Or never needed to spend your bonus on your children’s prescription medications?

That’s the principle behind preventive health care: Rather than investing resources to fix the problem after it has occurred, invest in the preventing the problem altogether. “Pay a little more for organic foods now, and pay a lot less in medical co-pays later,” says Joseph Sweere, DC, DABCO, DACBOH, FICC, a professor at Northwestern Health Sciences University. “Currently, the U.S. pays approximately $3 billion per year for prescription medications. Preventing illness and injury will save you money.”

According to Dr. Sweere, there are five ways preventive health care can save you some cash:

1. Put in $1 and get back $7. Studies show that companies who invest in wellness care for their employees are more profitable. According to the “Journal of Organizational Excellence,” the Johnson & Johnson company received a 7:1 return after fully implementing their health and wellness programs. Employees reduced their health risks and sick time, while the company lowered its health care costs.

2. Go green. The buzzword is catching on for a reason. Spending a little more money on organic materials can save you a lot of money in visits to the doctor. The chemicals in non-organic materials are harmful and disrupt the stability and harmony of the body, according to Dr. Sweere. When you stop consuming toxins, your body won’t become ill trying to fight them off.

3. Make a move and drop a few. The Wellness Councils of America estimates that 15 percent of all health care costs are due to diseases that are associated with leading a sedentary lifestyle. An additional 12 percent of health care costs are due to diseases that are related to obesity. When you add those together, along with diet-related health issues, it is estimated that between 35 and 40 percent of health care costs are related to diet, weight, and exercise! Respect your body and use common sense to stay healthy.

4. Let it be. “Celebrate your body’s ability to maintain homeostasis,” says Dr. Sweere. “Have confidence in the fact that your body can heal itself.” Spending a lot of money on medications and anti-bacterial products doesn’t necessarily keep you healthy, and definitely won’t save you money. “People are scared of every little germ they come in contact with, and spend money on making sure they get rid of every little bug. There is a fine line between being obsessive and being confident in your body’s ability to preserve itself,” he explains. “Did you worry about your liver today? Probably not. But I’ll bet it’s still working.”

5. Lessen the Stressin’. Your body is easily impaired when your stress levels are high and it is more likely that you will become ill. “Stress needs to be taken care of,” says Dr. Sweere. Spending a little money on a massage, a gym membership, or herbal supplements may help to keep your stress levels in check, while keeping your medical bills at bay.

When we start caring for our health, we can stop paying for our diseases. Rather than taking pain killers for a pulled muscle, keep your muscles strong with appropriate exercise so they don’t get pulled in the first place. “Care enough about yourself to preserve your body,” says Dr. Sweere