Tim Tebow faked a handoff and dropped back in the pocket, flinging the football over the middle.

As the 80-yard touchdown pass unfolded to win the AFC Wildcard Game, Denver Broncos fans cheered wildly all across Colorado and the nation. I jumped up and down with delight watching the play on a friend’s television, using the antiquated “rabbit ears” antenna technology.

Because of the installed digital adaptor, the picture was pretty darn clear. My friend said the adaptor didn’t cost much, so total cost for me and my friend to watch the latest “Mile High Miracle”: almost nothing. This was by far the best return on investment I’ve enjoyed in a while.

And while this winter has been relatively snow-free to date, I wouldn’t consider it overly-warm, either. However, that didn’t stop people from wading knee-deep in the Animas last week. I thought to myself, “Wow, that’s hard-core,” while watching the hardy anglers casting fly patterns behind Home Depot. Total cost to wade in the Animas: $0. Although new fishing gear can be pricey for sure, you can find huge discounts on gear at most garage sales, auction websites or retailers clearing out inventory. Add the price of gear, and you might be looking at a few hundred bucks. However, if you keep your gear in good shape, your investment will last for years, averaging out your cash outlay to minimal amounts per fishing day.

There are many fun times to be had without spending a lot of money. Walking on the River Trail is inexpensive. Hitting Wiffle golf balls in the park during absences of snow is affordable. Options for accessible fun are limitless. So why do we sometimes lose track of this? When I hear someone say, “There’s nothing to do,” or, “I’m bored,” I wonder if it’s really about a lack of available activities or more that there’s nobody to do anything with. I think the latter might be more common.

When we’re sick with the flu, friends tend to keep their distance. Likewise, when we’re feeling down emotionally, we often don’t feel like interacting with others. This is all fine and dandy in the short-term because flu symptoms eventually subside as can symptoms of mild depression and our isolation eases.

And while many people enjoy spending time alone, illnesses sometimes create a detrimental isolating environment. When persistent maladies aren’t treated, we can develop conditions that may affect our ability to be with others. In these instances, isolation becomes less voluntary and more of a loss of functioning.

This underscores the importance of prevention as well as the benefit of engaging in care sooner than later. However, if going to the clinic just isn’t your thing, remember that wellness resources can be found in any direction, and as evidenced by good old rabbit-ears technology and fish in the river. Staying mindful of opportunities to engage in wellness can help – affordable options are available today.

Mark White is the director of quality for Axis Health System. Reach him at mwhite@axishealthsystem.org or (970) 335-2217.