In 2022-2023, the Australian Government spent $252 billion in ‘health care’. Mind blowing! Yet one in two Australians (yes 50%), were estimated to have at least 1 of 8 chronic conditions such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, chronic back pain, asthma and arthritis.
Over the past 50 years, there has been increasing levels of chronic conditions such as heart disease, dementia and cancer yet the majority of these conditions are avoidable through healthy lifestyle choices. How is it then that our government can spend so much money on health care, but the outcome is that we are actually getting sicker?
What about the weight loss industry? How much are consumers spending? According to IBIS World, it is estimated that consumers spent $495.9 million in 2024. What did you, the consumer, spend this on? The money was mostly spent on diet meals, online weight programs, personal weight loss counselling and diet shakes, bars, powders and supplements. Don’t get me started on all of that!
Just quickly though, on the topic of supplements, in 2022 consumers spent $4.58 billion on nutritional supplements. Supplements which are legally not allowed to make claims about improving your health. Supplements which must say that they ‘may’ improve your health. So, with our own (consumers) spending and the spending of the government on ‘health care’, I ask ‘how can our health be in decline?’.
There is a simple answer. The money that is being spent is not on ‘health’ care. The money being spent is on ‘industry’ care.
There is so much contradictory information out there – one minute something is good for you, and the next minute it is not, it is no wonder consumers are unwell.
An important thing to realise is that building healthy communities is not profitable. Could you imagine a society with little illness, no need for diet pills, supplements and weight loss products? What about a reduction in cancer patients? There is a lot of money to be made in cancer so why would the government promote eating healthy, moving more and mindfulness?
Being healthy is not a given though, it must start from within with the first step of having a desire to be that way. To want to live your life to the fullest and to be your most authentic healthy self. This can be challenging in the times we live in. Understanding how to achieve both of those things is my lifelong passion and learning. From my own studies over the past 5 years whilst writing my book, I know that what the media, big business, pharmaceutical companies and the Government tell us about how to be healthy, helps to breed disease, not wellness. Whomever they are in partnership with wins. However, being in tune with your inner Homosapien and understanding yourself on an organic and biological level, will get you closer than ever before to achieving true health.
Here are some of the ways I know to be true about being well:
- Stillness is essential. The mind must have time to be present. To reset and rest.
- Movement is essential. The body must move. It is built that way. How much is totally individual. We are as unique as our fingerprint.
- Stress is both necessary and unnecessary. Too much will cause chronic illness. Not enough positive stress will cause boredom, a lack of motivation and depression.
- Eating whole foods is a must. Our bodies are organic beings that are made from the things we eat. Eat chemicals, your body will be unable to naturally heal.
- Mind your thoughts. Your future depends on it. What you think now is what you are creating for your future.
- Experience nature. We are nature. We are natural beings that need natural remedies. The health benefits of sunshine, fresh air, experiencing green spaces, the sounds of water and the birds are scientifically proven. Grounding ourselves in nature heals.
So why don’t we see the above being promoted on TV or on our social media feeds? Because there is very little money to be made in living this way – when nature provides most things we need.
Don’t be fooled by what you see. Be curious to what you really need and discover what is truly possible.
I hope this has given you some food for thought.
References
https://www.ibisworld.com/australia/industry/weight-loss-services/1704/
My blog posts are written by me. Not AI generated or supported. Writing is a skill I will continue to develop naturally. If you enjoy my posts, please like, comment and share.
The Healthy Homosapien 