Creating a Happier, Healthier Future with Wellness

By Global Wellness Institute

Have you ever wondered if spending on wellness really makes a difference in our lives? New research from the Global Wellness Institute (GWI) suggests it absolutely does! For every approximate $800 increase in wellness spending per person each year, happiness levels rise by 7%, and life expectancy increases by 1.26 years. These findings emphasize the importance of wellness policies in our society, as highlighted in GWI's groundbreaking report, “Defining Wellness Policy.”

With wellness spending growing into a multi-trilliondollar market, many people are asking: Is this money genuinely improving our physical and mental health?

The Connection Between Wellness Spending and Happiness

To understand how wellness spending relates to our health and happiness, GWI teamed up with Dr. Shun Wang, a leading statistician for the World Happiness Report. They analyzed data from various sources, including GWI's wellness economy reports, which measure spending across more than 200 markets, and Gallup's World Poll for happiness data.

The results are striking! For every $844 increase in wellness spending per person, average happiness levels jump by nearly 7%. Plus, an increase of about $769 in wellness spending correlates with an extra 1.26 years of life expectancy. While correlation doesn't mean causation, these findings strongly suggest that investing in wellness brings tangible benefits to our health and well-being.

Yeung, a senior research fellow at GWI, says, “This is the first comprehensive analysis of wellness economy spending alongside data on happiness and life expectancy. Our research clearly links investment in wellness to positive outcomes. We believe that wellness policies are vital for ensuring these benefits reach everyone, especially those facing barriers to a healthy lifestyle.”

Why We Need Comprehensive Wellness Policies

GWI's wellness policy series aims to create a shared language and framework that governments, industries, and communities can use to promote wellness for all. The report explains why wellness is often the missing piece in current health policies and how it can help tackle existing health crises.

Defining Wellness Policy: GWI defines wellness policy as “a set of cross-cutting actions that encourage healthy lifestyles and create supportive environments for human health and well-being.” This approach focuses on prevention, lifestyle changes, and the various environmental factors that influence our overall well-being.

Closing the Gaps in Wellness Access

The modern wellness movement has made impressive strides in promoting a holistic view of health and reducing the stigma around mental health issues. However, there are still significant gaps in accessibility and affordability, meaning that many people can't access these wellness resources. In 2020, only 6% of the $4.4 trillion spent in the wellness economy was allocated to lower-middle and low-income countries.

Wellness is a powerful concept that can inspire policy action, addressing consumer needs while ensuring everyone has access to wellness resources.

Enhancing Happiness and Well-Being in Policy

While conversations about happiness and well-being have gained traction, their impact on actual policies remains limited. Currently, only a few smaller, wealthier nations, like New Zealand, Wales, and Scotland, have integrated happiness and well-being into their national budgeting priorities.

The challenge is that happiness and well-being policies often require top-down approaches, which can complicate how governments allocate resources. In contrast, a wellness policy approach focuses on immediate, grassroots changes that can be made within existing frameworks. This strategy can lead to more significant improvements in health and wellbeing than merely enhancing subjective feelings of happiness.

A Call to Action

The Global Wellness Institute's research clearly shows that increasing spending on wellness correlates with improved happiness and longevity. As we navigate a world filled with health challenge s, the need for comprehensive wellness policies becomes increasingly urgent. By embedding wellness into our policy frameworks, we can address existing gaps, promote equitable access to wellness resources, and create healthier, happier communities for everyone.