PixabayOne thing I’ve noticed since stepping into adulthood is how much everything costs (and how much I hate being an adult).
Seriously though, the amount of money I spend on basic necessities is ridiculous; life would be so much easier if money actually did grow on trees.
And as your body slowly falls apart (dramatic but slightly true), the things we need to buy grows even longer – with gym memberships, vitamins, and prescriptions all making a huge dent in our pockets.
So much so that the average Brit will actually spend more than £65,000 looking after their basic health over the course of their lifetime, it has emerged.
A poll of 2,000 adults found we spend an average of £1,091.26 each year on gym memberships, vitamins and supplements, prescriptions, exercise classes and healthy food. Yikes.
So over the course of a 60.3 year average adult lifespan, all of this adds up to a staggering £65,802.98. Can you imagine how much richer we’d all be if we didn’t have to look after ourselves?
The research also revealed the average Brit spends an average of £113.46 each year on gym memberships, another £123.60 on vitamins and supplements, and an extra £66 on protein powders.
PixabayRecipients also admitted to spending £28.98 a year on new exercise gear, clothes, and equipment to help with their workouts (where on earth are they getting such cheap stuff from?!). Those who use alternative medicines and therapies will spend £31.98 a year on them.
The study found one third of adults would consider using complementary or homeopathic alternatives in the future, with one in six already using alternative methods to help with their illness.
The research was conducted by 4Homeopathy, an alliance of 11 of the UK’s largest homeopathic organisations working together to promote the benefits of homeopathy, in support of Homeopathy Awareness Week (April 10-16).
A spokesperson said:
Looking after your health is one of the most important things you can do. There are so many ways you can dedicate funds to improve your health and wellbeing, and we are encouraged by the results of the study which indicate many Brits would be open to alternative therapies in the future.
We know that many people – with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle being the latest high-profile examples – are already enjoying or exploring the positive health benefits of complementary and alternative medicines.
The survey, conducted by OnePoll, also explored attitudes to healthcare and wellness and found that men are more likely to spend money on vitamins, protein powders and exercise supplements to stay healthy. Women, on the other hand, prioritise healthy foods.
Results showed seven in 10 Brits think about the state of their health on a regular basis (guilty as charged), with the average adult visiting the doctor three times a year.
However, one in 10 have put off visiting their doctor in case it resulted in a costly diagnosis they would struggle to afford. Twelve per cent of recipients are already suffering with a medical condition that costs them a lot of money to treat.
Only 14 per cent of adults surveyed in the study currently have a savings account reserved specifically in case of emergency though.
PixabayThe spokesperson for 4Homeopathy said:
A health issue can feel daunting, putting strain on physical, psychological and financial elements.
This Homeopathy Awareness Week we would encourage Brits to explore other alternative avenues of healthcare especially if traditional routes are causing anxiety or are proving ineffective.
To read the full results of this study click here.
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A Broadcast Journalism Masters graduate who went on to achieve an NCTJ level 3 Diploma in Journalism, Lucy has done stints at ITV, BBC Inside Out and Key 103. While working as a journalist for UNILAD, Lucy has reported on breaking news stories while also writing features about mental health, cervical screening awareness, and Little Mix (who she is unapologetically obsessed with).