Perusing the “healthy food” section of the supermarket always perplexes me. If the items are free from an array of nasty preservatives, common allergens, gluten, sugar, etc., why are they so much more expensive than the unhealthy fat-ridden foods in the next aisle? Are the substitutes in the healthy foods laced with gold? Is the healthy food section prime supermarket real estate and it is this for which we are paying exorbitant prices to be healthy, or at least feel as though we are being healthy?

I recall an Instagram post from a few years ago of someone who had visited a vegan supermarket. They laid out their bounty of beautifully coloured food stuffs and in their caption, they beamed at how happy they were to have been able to find all this vegan food under one roof. As I looked at the items, it struck me that there wasn’t any real food in the picture. By that I mean, every item was processed in some way and there were no fruits or vegetables in sight but technically, they had bought vegan food. It is very possible to have a vegan diet and not touch an unprocessed fruit or vegetable.

Don’t get me wrong, I am happy that the range of vegan foods has expanded over the last few years, especially when comfort or convenience is a priority. I cannot express the level of excitement I felt when I found out that Oreos are vegan. Is it healthy food? No. Do I care? Hell no. As an occasional (or sometimes more than occasional) indulgence, it hits the spot. Shopping in the healthy food section or a health food store, carries a considerable investment, and is often seen as a luxury rather than a necessity. However, everyone needs wellness. Could it be in our pursuit to be healthy, we have created a type of wellness paywall in which access is privileged to those who have the income, time and resources? Furthermore, is our quest for wellness - looking after our physical, mental, and emotional health - taking us further away from true health?

The Global Wellness Institute (GWI) estimates that the global wellness economy was valued at $5.6 trillion in 2022, and projects an 8.6% annual growth, reaching $8.5 trillion in 2027. The wellness economy comprises 11 sectors including healthy eating, nutrition and weight loss, personal care and beauty, physical activity, wellness tourism, and mental wellness. Of these sectors, healthy eating was the only one that saw a positive growth during the pandemic. However, GWI cautions that this was not necessarily a sign that people were eating healthier diets but simply consuming healthy-labeled foods and beverages. This sub-sector, the largest, was estimated to be worth $874 billion in 2022. As our access to luxury healthy-labeled foods and beverages grows, so too does our exposure to potential health issues.

“The Global Wellness Institute (GWI) estimates that the global wellness economy was valued at $5.6 trillion in 2022”

Gout is a form of arthritis, caused by the accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints and causes immense pain. Historically, gout was known as the “rich man’s disease” because it commonly occurred in large, middle-aged men who were wealthy enough to eat excessive meat and drink copious amounts of wine - both of which contributed to gout. Today, our beautifully packaged healthy foods may have created a modern day set of “rich man’s diseases”. Nutrient deficiency may be a result of consuming large amounts of prepackaged healthy foods. It may then be necessary to purchase even more expensive vitamins and minerals to supplement what is missing in our diets. Our healthy prepackaged food may also be low in fibre, causing constipation for which we may have to take laxatives. And so on, and so on. A balanced diet, with real fruits, vegetables, pulses, grains, herbs and spices, naturally contains a range of vitamins, minerals and fibre. Although maybe not as convenient, “real” food is often more cost-effective than processed foods.

It may sound comical when I say I moved to Barbados for breadfruit, but it was a strong selling point. This humble fruit grows in abundance and is one of the most versatile things to cook with. More importantly, it is low fat, nutrient-rich including calcium, phosphorous, potassium and magnesium, and high in fibre, making it an ideal staple in reducing rates of non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death. In 2019, the prevalence of hypertension (high blood pressure) in Barbados was 42% in adults. Despite Barbados having the third highest GDP in the Caribbean and the highest salary levels in the region, the cost of living is high. Rather than spending money on luxury items that have little to no nutritional value, our resources may be better directed to staples growing in our backyard.

“In 2019, the prevalence of hypertension (high blood pressure) in Barbados was 42% in adults.”

Physical activity was the third highest sector in the GWI report. By no means am I a gym bunny, and it is not a space I gravitate towards however, this year I had two sessions at gyms and really enjoyed the experience. There is a convenience in having machinery that can accelerate your training and the atmosphere was chilled and most people were friendly - I get it, and apparently more people want that experience. In the last 6 weeks, I have seen 3 new gyms pop up on the south coast. The average monthly gym membership ranges between $100 and $200 BBD, which can be a great investment in your wellness - not just with your physical health, but also helping with self-confidence, motivation, and reducing stress and anxiety.

One of the drawbacks I feel spaces like gyms pose is that if they have to close for a public holiday or a pandemic, we may quite quickly fall out of our routine, and lose our sense of community. It is important to have alternative methods of movement we can do at home, utilise resources in our community and foster a deeper connection to the environment around us. Reaching out to people who have green spaces and offering assistance with weeding for example, can be great exercise and you may get a breadfruit or two out of it.

For those following me on social media, or anyone I have had a conversation with over the last year, you will be well aware that 2024 was the year of golf for me. Previously, I had no interest in golf whatsoever but in January, I took a few lessons to play with my mum when she came to visit, and instantly became addicted to the most frustratingly enjoyable sport I have ever played. My local course sits on acres of greenery, with parakeets flying overhead and troops of monkeys playing in the trees. Even when the weather isn’t perfect, I still feel energised from being outdoors in fresh air. There is a physical element to learn, such as how to hold the club and the golf swing however, the biggest lesson it teaches me is around mental agility. The ability to focus and still the mind, overcome self-doubt and negative self-talk, and be able to channel my emotions so that I can physically achieve what I want e.g birdies! Additionally, there is a community element to the golf club and I now have a little golf family who are a great support system, and I have been fortunate to learn so much from them and also share my time and support.

On the scale of luxury wellness, golf is definitely up there. Whether it is the cost of memberships, clubs, or outfits, golf can be an expensive sport. However, I would not want that to deter people from trying it out. You can find decent golf clubs at car boot sales, charity shops or Facebook marketplace, at a fraction of the cost of a new set, which is great if you are just starting out. If you can gather enough friends together, you can arrange group classes to reduce the cost of your lessons. Wellness should be available to all irrespective of their income, whether it is golf or something else, and there are always options available to cater to different budgets.

“The basic definition of luxury is “a condition of abundance or great ease and comfort”

Wellness is a necessity and it can also be a luxury, if you make it so. We all deserve wellness and we deserve luxury. The basic definition of luxury is “a condition of abundance or great ease and comfort : sumptuous environment; something adding to pleasure or comfort but not absolutely necessary; an indulgence in something that provides pleasure, satisfaction, or ease”. We have come to associate luxury with a price point so that we can differentiate luxury and low-budget products or services, but in essence, luxury is about how we feel. Who doesn’t want great ease or comfort in their lives? Sometimes I spray on a bit of perfume before I go to bed or I will massage a few drops of an inexpensive essential oil onto my pulse points. They are both a luxury because they make me feel sensual, I sleep well and in the morning, it is one of the first things I smell and I start my day on a positive note (no pun intended).

“Young people aged 19-29 reported higher loneliness than adults aged 65+”

Wellness is not only a necessity for our personal health journey but for our community as a whole. As well as our individual practices, we may benefit greatly from spending time in our communities. Despite the many advances of social media, social isolation or loneliness is becoming a significant global social health problem. Almost one in four people worldwide feel very or fairly lonely, according to a 2022 Meta-Gallup survey of more than 140 countries. In particular, young people aged 19-29 reported higher loneliness than adults aged 65+. Maybe unsurprisingly, this age group is among the highest demographic to use social media. Loneliness may lead to depression, substance misuse, poor interpersonal skills, increased risk of cardiovascular disease and increased social withdrawal. This is not the recipe we want to send young people out into the world with.

Exploring a range of wellness practices enables us to create tools we can use that scale with our income, time and resources. If you can’t book a spa day, have a beach day and exfoliate your skin with the sand and salt water. If you can’t get to the gym, connect with your neighbour and go for a brisk walk. As my sister once dryly quipped, when asked if she needed or wanted something, “what’s the difference?” Whether we see wellness as a luxury or a necessity, the end goal is to feel good, to be healthy, and to have improved relationships and connections. We need to want that.

Sources

Bawa S H (2016) Nutritional and health effects of the consumption of breadfruit. Tropical Agriculture

Pizzorno J E. and , Michael T. Murray M T (2013) Textbook of Natural Medicine

https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/press-room/statistics-and-facts/#:~:text=The%20global%20wellness%20economy%20was,than%20its%20size%20in%202019.

https://news.gallup.com/opinion/gallup/512618/almost-quarter-world-feels-lonely.aspx#:~:text=Nearly%20one%20in%20four%20people,numbers%20could%20be%20even%20higher.