What does it take to be well? The answer varies from person to person. For some, it may require prescription medication and yoga classes; for others, it could be a vegetarian diet and regular doctor visits. One thing is certain: it costs money.<\/p>\n
Americans spend more than $6,000 (\u00a34,500) per person a year on wellness, according to the Global Wellness Institute<\/a>. This makes the US \u201cthe largest wellness economy by far\u201d. In the UK, per capita average wellness spending<\/a> is $3,342 (\u00a32,505).<\/p>\n Where is all that money going? We asked five readers to break down what they spend on health and wellness per month.<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Julia (pseudonym), 26, Pennsylvania<\/strong><\/p>\n Occupation<\/strong>: environmental consultant I feel a little embarrassed because sometimes it seems \u201cwellness\u201d is something we should be able to achieve without a lot of spending. But what I\u2019m doing now is working for me mentally and physically.<\/p>\n Food<\/strong>: about $300-$350 (\u00a3225-\u00a3260) on groceries, generally produce and dry\/canned staples but some prepared foods when I\u2019m in a pinch. Although I try to cook vegan, I consider myself vegetarian because I\u2019m not 100% there.<\/p>\n Medical\/healthcare<\/strong>: $370 (\u00a3277)<\/p>\n $280 for employer-sponsored healthcare<\/p>\n<\/li>\n $10 on a prescription medication<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Fitness<\/strong>: about $500 (\u00a3375) total<\/p>\n $360 on personal training<\/p>\n<\/li>\n $20 on my gym membership (discounted with the personal training), and $45 on a protein-powder subscription<\/p>\n<\/li>\n I\u2019m also part of a run club and rec sports league, which have an upfront cost for multiple months, but combined are about $75 per month. It\u2019s funny, I don\u2019t consider myself very athletic, but it sure doesn\u2019t look that way from my spending.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Related:Four US families break down their parenting budget: \u2018The amount we spend on our children is ridiculous\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Cosmetic care<\/strong>: about $55 total (\u00a340)<\/p>\n $35 on a prescription skincare subscription for a two-month supply (but I\u2019m planning to cancel)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n $15 average on moisturizer\/cleanser that will last multiple months<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Miscellaneous<\/strong>: If I had to put a number, I\u2019d say $90 (\u00a3120) per month. I\u2019ve had some sporadic wellness-related purchases, like equipment for biking and kayaking. I\u2019d also consider art\/crafting classes part of this.<\/p>\n Monthly total<\/strong>: about $1,340 (\u00a31,00<\/strong>0)<\/strong><\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Ellen (pseudonym), 33, London<\/strong><\/p>\n Occupation<\/strong>: office worker It is incredibly expensive and time-consuming to maintain good health and wellbeing if you have chronic health conditions.<\/p>\n I have high blood pressure and a couple of autoimmune conditions, and while medical care is provided on the NHS and covered by employer private insurance, I have some health needs that must be paid out of pocket. The conditions I have are not covered by private insurance, and NHS waiting lists for some tests or appointments can be long, so occasionally I pay for them privately.<\/p>\n My health issues aren\u2019t disabling, but they do require me to keep a healthy lifestyle, watch my weight and cholesterol, and stay active. Stress makes my symptoms worse, so I try to keep my stress levels low, too.<\/p>\n Having chronic conditions young means you really need to take care of yourself if you want to live a long life.<\/p>\n Food<\/strong>: \u00a3940 ($1,250)<\/p>\n \u00a3400 for a ready-meal delivery subscription<\/p>\n<\/li>\n My partner and I are trying to eat healthy and optimize our protein<\/a> and fibre<\/a> intake. The meal-delivery subscription sends ready-made meals with balanced macros, but I love to cook homemade meals when I can.<\/p>\n
Income<\/strong>: $80,000 (\u00a360,000)<\/p>\n\n
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Annual income<\/strong>: \u00a380,000 ($107,000)<\/p>\n\n\n