Categories: HealthLifestyle

Brits spend £65k over a lifetime looking after their basic health

The average Brit will spend more than £65,000 over their lifetime – looking after their basic health, 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 foods.

And over the course of a 60.3 year average adult lifespan, that adds up to a staggering £65,802.98.

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.

They’ll also spend £28.98 a year on new exercise gear, clothing and equipment to help with their workouts.

And those who use alternative medicines and therapies will spend £31.98 a year on the treatments.

The research was conducted by 4Homeopathy in support of Homeopathy Awareness Week (10-16th April).

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.”

It also emerged one third of adults would consider using complementary or homeopathic alternatives for an ailment in the future, and one in six are already using alternative methods to help with their illness.

The survey, conducted by OnePoll, also explored attitudes to healthcare and wellness.

Men are more likely to spend money on vitamins, protein powders and exercise supplements to stay healthy, while women prioritise their spend on healthy foods.

Seven in 10 Brits think about the state of their health on a regular basis, with the average adult visiting the doctor three times a year.

And one in 10 have put off visiting their doctor in case it resulted in a costly diagnosis they would struggle to afford.

However, 12 per cent are already currently suffering with a medical condition that causes them significant expense to treat.

But only 14 per cent of adults surveyed in the study currently have a savings account reserved specifically in case of emergency.

Londoners are most likely to fret about the state of their health, while those living in the North West are the most relaxed about their physical wellbeing.

Residents of Oxford are most likely to rate their general health as excellent, while those living in Cambridge are most likely to rate their health poorly.

The spokesperson for 4Homeopathy, which is an alliance of 11 of the UK’s largest homeopathic organisations working together to promote the benefits of homeopathy, 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 visit: FindAHomeopath.org

A YEAR OF HEALTH

Gym memberships – £113.46

Vitamins and supplements – £123.60

Protein powders – £66

Wellbeing/exercise classes – £96

Exercise equipment/clothing – £28.98

Playing sports – £108.66

Healthy foods – £428.88

Medical prescriptions – £17.30

Dieting/weight loss prescriptions – £76.40

Complementary/alternative medicines – £31.98

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Jack Peat

Jack is a business and economics journalist and the founder of The London Economic (TLE). He has contributed articles to VICE, Huffington Post and Independent and is a published author. Jack read History at the University of Wales, Bangor and has a Masters in Journalism from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

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