The Simplicity of Health and Beauty

The global wellness economy, which covers among 11 sectors; mental wellbeing, healthy eating, spas, personal care and beauty, and traditional and complementary medicine, was valued at $4.4 trillion in 2020, with a projected growth to $7.0 trillion in 2025 [globalwellnessinstitute.org]. It is no wonder then that many companies capitalize on this lucrative market in a bid to take advantage of those who pursue the goal of wellness. There is nothing intrinsically wrong with the wellness industry, however, many more unscrupulous companies compete to provide ineffective solutions to imagined problems through deception and overcomplication. You might refer to these companies as running a snake oil racquet.

One of the best examples of these scam products are detox foot pads. The companies that manufacture these products claim to draw ‘toxins’ from your body through the soles of your feet while you sleep. In reality, the pads darken with moisture which in this instance is caused by sweat. NMS labs conducted a study for ABC news that showed the same effect of colour change occurred when the pads were exposed to steam.

Although it is true that many traditional practices and medicines such as massage and natural herbs can provide relief for mild ailments, it is the overhyping of ‘fad’ products that fuel the consumption of lies and deception in the wellness industry. The idea of toxins needing to be flushed from the body is a lie perpetuated by companies seeking to peddle cheap products that trick people into buying something that promises a quick solution to their health needs that in reality serve as nothing more than a placebo.

The truth is that health, wellness and beauty is not complicated, nor is it expensive. In fact, I have compiled a list of essential items and services for your wellness needs that are either cheap or completely free.

Free council gym passes

Many council gyms offer free memberships for local residents to access gym facilities, swimming sessions and fitness classes. Usually these run through specific hours through the week so you will need to check with your local council gym for these times. Exercise is so important for improving not only our physical health, but our mental health as well. When you exercise, your brain releases endorphins which are natural opioids that your body produces. These give you a sense of happiness and wellbeing. Exercise also reduces the negative effects of stress and builds your body and mind to be more resilient to day-to-day stresses.

Water

Kind of a no-brainer but our most valuable resource is also one that we in developed countries are fortunate enough to have free access to. Water is vital for keeping you healthy at a cellular level. The effects of dehydration include confusion, fatigue, anxiety, irritability, poor coordination, dry skin and can even make it harder to manage weight. People should be drinking around 3 litres of water a day to maintain their health and cognitive function.

Vitamins

Having a poor diet low in nutrition has innumerable ill effects on our physicality and mental wellbeing. Different vitamins have different effects on the body and many interact with each other or work in conjunction to maintain our health:

· Vitamin A: is found in highest concentrations in liver, fish, eggs and dairy products and aids the absorption of iron

· Vitamin B’s: B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and B12 can all be found in highest concentrations in meat, fish, nuts, eggs and dairy products. A Vitamin B complex diet aids the proper function of nerve cells, raises energy levels and promotes brain function.

· Vitamin C: mainly found in leafy vegetables and citrus fruits and stimulates the production of collagen and aids iron absorption

· Vitamin D: oily fish such as salmon and mackerel are good sources of vitamin D and aids calcium absorption so is good for bone health and also reduces inflammation.

· Vitamin E: found in plant-based oils such as nuts, seeds and avocados and is highly effective in treating skin related problems.

· Vitamin K: is found in cruciferous vegetables such as kale, broccoli and spinach and is responsible for maintaining blood health and bone metabolism

There are also a whole range of minerals that are essential for health such as iron, calcium, magnesium, and zinc; though these can be found in most of the foods already listed. It can be hard to maintain a vitamin rich diet, not to mention rather expensive and time consuming to prepare so supplementing your diet with vitamins can be a good option to ensure you are getting all your essential vitamins to maintain your health. These can be fairly inexpensive and are available at your local pharmacy and even at budget stores like Poundland.

Mindfulness and meditation

There are so many free services that offer guided meditation services. There are many places that offer free weekly group meditations, you can find these on Meetup or often at your local community centre. If you have Netflix, Headspace: Unwind your mind is available on the platform and offers short, guided meditations as a great way to either start or end your day. If you are on the go and looking for something a little more readily available, try the Evolve app. The app offers a free or premium service that allows you to journal and offers daily guided meditation and breathing exercises that help you to alleviate anxiety and stress throughout the day.

Beauty

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found next to talc – which is used in many cosmetic products. A recent study found that around 15% of makeup products contained asbestos [Clemens, E. 2021]. It’s important that you check what is in your cosmetics as asbestos is a known carcinogen and any cosmetic product contaminated with asbestos puts you at risk of developing cancer. Aside from cosmetics, simply having a natural cleanser, a vitamin enriched natural oil-based moisturizer, and natural sulphate free hair care products are all you really need to stay clean and healthy and promote your natural beauty.

Beyond this, it is unnecessary to turn to products and services that claim to promote wellness and beauty beyond what is essentially free or considered a necessity. Staying healthy is all about simplicity; keeping your body strong, nourished and hydrated, keeping your mind sharp, present and focused and not allowing yourself to be fooled into consuming something from a company that only seeks monetary gain in the name of wellness.