National Wellness Day could help slash £168 billion NHS bill

Ben Butt, founder of Brighton video production company ComeAlive Media, believes encouraging wellness could help slash the £168 billion bill for the over-burdened NHS.

He says changing his own lifestyle helped him be much more productive and clear-headed at work – and reckons other businesses could benefit too.

The inaugural National Wellness Day will take place in Brighton on September 9, with simultaneous events in London and Essex.

It will focus on six principles - breathing, hydration, light exercise, eating consciously, rest and relaxation, and sleep – and will take place at a yet-to-be-announced pop-up restaurant location.

Ben explained: “In my early 20s I was really into drink and drugs. It was a really hard and loose lifestyle.

“I needed to make a change because I didn’t feel I was going to live much longer.

“I changed all my habits and ever since I’ve been learning about health and wellness.”

Despite some suffering some malnutrition along the way due to overzealous ‘cleansing’, 12 years on Ben is still feeling the benefits and loving life running his own video production company.

He advocates eating organic, vegan, raw and living foods which are said to hold all the enzymes, vitamins, and minerals the body needs to stay healthy.

He added: “I’ve got a lot more energy, mental clarity and I’m more relaxed and focused. I make more conscious decisions about what I do with my business. I’m more concerned about the environment and the impact of my actions.

“I can stay out working for 12-15 hours at a time, whereas my colleagues will get tired after four or five.

“I’m hoping corporate companies might want to do wellness days and send staff to spend a few hours talking about the principles.”

The day will be a chance for people to find out more, meet others and try out healthy food.

Profits from the event will go to the Brighton and Hove Food Partnership.

www.nationalwellnessday.co.uk/