Reclaim Your Health: The Power of Self-Care in a Profit-Driven World

In today's confusing, overly-informed world, taking control of your health, fitness, and wellbeing is not just a personal endeavor but it has become a revolutionary act.

A vast array of industries – from media companies to the food, pharmaceutical, and medical sectors – have found themselves in a precarious position of benefitting from a population who is sick and dependent on their products and services.

It appears paradoxical that as economic wellbeing increases, ACTUAL wellbeing decreases, as the more people are unwell, the more these industries profit.

This article explores how self-care, especially committing to generating more heat within your body can empower you to overcome the urge to add to the profits of these self-serving companies and dramatically improve your physical and psychological wellbeing.

A 2019 report from the Global Wellness Institute tells us that the global wellness economy was valued at $4.5 trillion, with the industry growing at an impressive 6.4% annually from 2015 to 2017 (1).

This increase in private capital earnings as well as inflated government spending appear to run parallel to the DECREASE in the actual health of people, as preventable sickness and disease increase year-over-year at about the same rate.

A study published in JAMA in 2016 revealed that healthcare spending in the United States amounted to nearly $3.4 trillion, with a significant portion being spent on treating chronic conditions that can be prevented or mitigated through lifestyle changes (2). 

The pharmaceutical industry, often referred to as "Big Pharma," is known for its immense profits on the backs of sick people. In 2019, the global pharmaceutical market was valued at over $1.25 trillion, with the top 10 pharmaceutical companies generating revenues of $392 billion (3).

The industry thrives on the development and sale of drugs designed to manage symptoms rather than cure diseases, which ensures a continuous demand for their products.

Check out this video which outlines, in detail, exactly how these industries view people as medical goldmines starting when they're children:

 

It's no secret that the food industry is another major player in this profit-driven cycle deteriorating health and wellbeing all over the world.

Ultra-processed foods that are high in sugar, loaded with unhealthy fats, and layered with additives, dominate the modern diet. These products are cheap to produce, have a longer shelf life, and are psychologically & physiologically addictive; resulting in higher profit margins for food companies and more patients for the medical and pharmaceutical industries.

According to the World Health Organization, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) – many of which are linked to poor diet – are responsible for 41 million deaths each year, accounting for 71% of all deaths globally (4).

Given the treacherous landscape we're all navigating, self-care becomes a the only tool for individuals to take control of their health and break free from the chains of dependency on these industries. It's up to YOU to begin taking care fo yourself.

Have you ever noticed a media company or large corporation advertise the benefits of exercise, embracing a nourishing lifestyle, or advocating for self-care? NO! And you won't. There's no benefit to them with a population of self-sufficient, healthy, and happy humans living freely. 

Establishments benefit from a dependent, scared society who take action on fear and the seeking of "protection", not one who takes action toward "preparation".

A crucial aspect of self-care is regular exercise, which has been shown to have a profound impact on both physical and psychological wellbeing. 

Research indicates that as little as 90 minutes of dedicated exercise each week can lead to significant health benefits. A study published in The Lancet found that people who engaged in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week had a 28% lower risk of all-cause mortality compared to those who were inactive (5). Exercise also contributes to a stronger immune system, reducing the risk of infections and chronic diseases.

Furthermore, regular physical activity has been linked to better mental health. A comprehensive review of studies published in the Journal of Happiness Studies found that exercise has a significant positive effect on mental health, with effects comparable, often times even better, to those of psychotherapy and antidepressant medication (6).

Watch this video as renowned child psychologist and health expert, John Ratey, explains the utility of basic self-care habits in a sick world:

Exercise increases the production of endorphins, serotonin, and other "feel-good" chemicals in the brain, leading to improved mood, reduced anxiety, and enhanced cognitive function. Moreover, the associated sense of self-efficacy and confidence gained from "doing the work" cannot be overstated when it comes to psychological wellbeing. 

It's important to the media establishment, the food industry, and Big Pharma that your concerns are with what's on the news, which is certain to scare you into a big fright, which kickstarts the stress processes in your brain leading you to make choices out of fear and anxiety--perpetuating the cycle of fear and dishealth. 

Fortunately, your health and wellbeing are still within your control. All you have to do is take that control back by taking action to HEATING UP YOUR BODY.

You already KNOW what you need to be doing more of as well as what you can be doing less of; now it's just about you harnessing the discipline in your mind to DO IT.

You have an entire world working in a concerted effort to get you unwell and dependent upon their products. So, you cannot take this task of self-care lightly; it's literally all you have to defend yourself against these forces who are aimed in on taking control of every aspect of your life.

In conclusion, considering the forces at play against us, self-care has become a revolutionary act in a world dominated by industries that profit from illness and dependency.

Start by taking control of our health and wellbeing today; begin to challenge the status quo and initiate a healthier, more empowered life for yourself--even if that means offending your friends and family.

Prioritizing your health and doing something about it may be the only means you have of enriching your conscious experience into the future and help keep humanity from being little more than unhealthy incubators for corporate profits.

Citations:
(1) Global Wellness Institute. (2019). Global Wellness Economy Monitor. Retrieved from https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/industry-research/global-wellness-economy-monitor/

(2) Dieleman, J. L., Baral, R., Birger, M., Bui, A. L., Bulchis, A., Chapin, A., ... & Lavado, R. (2016). US Spending on Personal Health Care and Public Health, 1996-2013. JAMA, 316(24), 2627-2646. DOI: 10.1001/jama.2016.16885

(3) Statista. (2020). Pharmaceutical industry - statistics & facts. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/topics/1764/global-pharmaceutical-industry/

(4) World Health Organization. (2018). Noncommunicable diseases. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/noncommunicable-diseases

(5) Ekelund, U., Ward, H. A., Norat, T., Luan, J., May, A. M., Weiderpass, E., ... & Aune, D. (2015). Physical activity and all-cause mortality across levels of overall and abdominal adiposity in European men and women: the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition Study (EPIC). The Lancet, 385(9971), 793-801. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(14)61397-9

(6) Penedo, F. J., & Dahn, J. R. (2005). Exercise and well-being: a review of mental and physical health benefits associated with physical activity. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 18(2), 189-193. DOI: 10.1097/00001504-200503000-00013

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