How Much Do You Need to Spend on Your Health in 2022?

Health is wealth, they say. This is especially true now that the entire world is living through a pandemic.

With COVID-19 and its variants still on the loose, it pays to take better care of your health. Like any other investment, this entails spending money.

Thankfully, the United Kingdom has universal healthcare. This lets you seek medical assistance without spending anything. If you want that extra layer of protection, you can also get private health insurance.

This article will give you an idea of what you should spend money on and how much it will be. But before we go into that, let’s discuss why your health insurance isn’t the only thing on the list.

Why Isn’t Having Private Health Insurance Enough?

Before anything, let’s get this clear. Having health insurance is worth it. The cost of private health care is high because of the benefits that you get from it, such as:

• Shorter waiting time. NHS waiting times are something you’ve seen on the news many times. Imagine enduring a months-long waiting time before your surgery. That’s what you can expect without private health care.
• Quick access to a general practitioner. Most insurance providers now offer 24/7 virtual consultations via app or phone.
• Having more choices. With the NHS, where you’ll get your treatment is based on your address. Private insurance allows you more control over who your doctor will be and where you’ll be treated.
• Accessing private hospitals. Having a private room means you’d be able to recover in peace. Your visitors also don’t have to worry about unintentionally disturbing other patients.

On average, insurance should cost you around £1,500 per year. But despite all the advantages that private health insurance has, it’s not an all-in-one solution. It just helps take care of an illness. But taking charge of your health entails investing in so much more.

5 Health Expenses Beyond Private Health Insurance

Considering the impact of various activities and lifestyles on your health, taking better care of yourself will involve a wide spectrum of activities. Committing to a healthier life involves spending on:

1.    Healthy Food

If you are what you eat, then healthy food makes you healthy! Unfortunately, junk foods are generally less expensive. That’s why if you’re trying to save money, you probably won’t care much about the nutritional content of your food.

But how much more expensive is it to eat properly? You’ll have to spend an average of 300% more on food to get the same number of calories. For £7.68 you’d pay for healthier food, you could have spent just £2.48 for its less healthy counterpart.

But if you want to keep yourself in better shape, it pays to read the label or go for whole foods. Spending a few more pounds right now can save you thousands down the line.

2.    Vaccinations

Because of vaccinations, you don’t have to worry about diseases that used to plague humanity. The vaccine itself isn’t a cure for anything, but it helps you build immunity against preventable diseases.

So if you want to keep yourself free of vaccine-preventable illnesses, make sure that your immunizations are all up-to-date. Most vaccines are routinely offered free of charge on the NHS. Meanwhile, you may have to pay for travel vaccinations as needed.

3.    Gym Membership

Exercise is important in keeping your cardiovascular health in optimal condition. And if you want to control your weight, this is the way to go! Getting a gym membership can help you achieve all the health benefits associated with exercising.

Depending on where you go, you’ll need anywhere from £10 to £50 a month. You may also purchase workout equipment to use at home instead.

4.    Hobbies

Yes, even your hobbies contribute to keeping you healthy. As long as they don’t involve the introduction of unhealthy substances into your system, you will get the same benefit. Especially if you’re working long hours, having the opportunity to wind down can be lovely.

Hobbies let you meet other people sharing the same interests, reducing your anxiety and stress levels. They even improve your mental health! As a result, you get a higher chance of preventing health issues like dementia, heart disease, and depression.

How much you’ll spend will depend on the type of activity you’re pursuing. But if you’re looking for a sign to enrol in that pottery class, this is it!

5.    Psychiatric Help

Speaking of depression, you remember that your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Not seeking psychiatric help when needed can lead to the deterioration of your relationships with other people. This can create a vicious cycle of social isolation and worsening mental health issues.

But aside from potential social isolation, ignoring mental health issues puts you at a greater risk of abusing harmful products like alcohol and illegal drugs. So if you need it, don’t be afraid to seek help.

This service is free under the NHS and may be covered by your private health insurance as well. Under certain conditions, you may also get your prescriptions for free. Check here if you qualify.

Conclusion

If you want to live a long and healthy life, you’ll have to be proactive instead of reactive. It’s not enough to address a problem whenever one arises. By reviewing the items on this list, we hope you get an idea of how to budget for your health this year. Stay healthy!