Spanish girl health habits I learned to live in Spain

One of the most interesting aspects of travel is its ability to introduce you to a new lifestyle. I like to see how different people from various parts of the world are close to their routine, attitudes, and mindset. Last year, I decided to immerse myself in a culture known for their flexible routine, relaxing attitude, and Long life Mindset: Spanish.

I found many interesting things in Spain that made me pinch myself to make sure I didn’t dream. Apart from their delicious grapes, lucrative Paella, and welcoming energy, their approach to holistic health is the most interesting for me. For eight months, I was able to spend time with Spanish women who practiced the health habits that I adopted into my health routine (and planned to lean especially during the summer months). Here are the health habits of Spanish girls who have become staples in my health routine.

Work for life instead of life to work

Relying on myself from the mentality of the crowd embedded in American culture has become a priority for me. However, it is difficult to recondition yourself from something when you are surrounded by him 24/7, so when I move to Spain, I can actively work on this mindset. The work-work-for-life mentality is clear in the way of Spanish women arrange their days. Their day usually includes a nap (Further about this later) and time to explore to third place. Plus, there are many holidays (guilt -free) throughout the year for more congenital rest time. Spanish women know how to work but do not allow their work to consume them until they sacrifice their welfare for productivity.

Research from American Psychological Association Demonstrating a crowd culture has caused more damage than good: 79 percent of workers reportedly experienced fatigue. It is not only your mental health that fights from the crowd “your career also suffers. Fatigue including feelings of fatigue, an increase in mental distance from a person’s work and reduced professional efficacy. To fight this, it will only be the center of my life. Although his career is truly important to me, it will not be the center of my life.

Prioritize frequent social relations

As an introvert, accustomed to the level of socialization of Spain is a challenge. They prioritize meetings with friends and family regularly, whether it is to drink in a local bar, walk casually around the city, or a relaxed night at home. Considering our sustainable lonely epidemic, maybe it’s time to take the page from the Spanish girl health book. Former General Surgeon Vivek Murthy emphasizes the importance of social connections on Podcast Simon Sinek, A little optimism. “The good signs that tell us that when people have three elements in their lives” relationships, goals, and services “both for their health,” Murthy said. “This improves their physical health, increasing long life, reducing depression and anxiety, it reduces the risk of high blood pressure and other cardiovascular conditions. This is really good for our health, physical and mental.

I am still not at the level of a common daily socialization in Spain, where they usually have social meetings, families, or daily communities (I need at least two to three working days after group interaction), but I notice that I make more efforts to come out when I see social relations as a necessity than my health routine.

Take the time to enjoy food

Not to be dramatic, but my first traditional Spanish lunch really changed my life. As I explained to my Spanish coworkers one day, it was normal for me to eat sandwich and chips for lunch. The horror in their eyes told me that it was not the way Spain. They took me to a restaurant two weeks later. Food starts with appetizers and wine, followed by a plate of vegetable burgers (especially for me), while my coworkers enjoy a pan with Paella. Lunch is accompanied by a lively conversation, laughter, and a wine glass. When I feel the urge to get up, pay, and leave immediately after lunch is over, I was encouraged to stay, kick again, and relax for another hour.

This is the appearance to enjoy foodI think for myself. After lunch, I have a stomach full of food and energy that was only discovered to enjoy the rest of the day. Instead of rushing through my food with my cellphone supported by a kind of entertainment, I made it a habit to slow down and enjoy food.

“Life that is slow is always interesting to me, but that does not become something that cannot be negotiated until I immerse myself in a culture that exemplifies that possible.”

Make a specified time for active rest

The biggest cultural surprise that I have is nap. Siestas is the specified time (usually from 2 pm to 4 pm) when a company is close for workers to go home, lunch, and rest. I know about them before buying my flight ticket to Spain, but I don’t know how people are dedicated to their rest. This is a health habit that I do not train regardless of its benefits. Nap for the day can improve performance, mood, and vigilance. It is recommended to try to take a nap before 3 pm (to avoid sleep problems at night) and only take a nap for about 20-30 minutes (to avoid nervous).

Unfortunately, a lot of work and schedule do not allow routine naps, but even if you take a nap in a comfortable bed there is no card, there are alternative ways to reset. This can look like walking during your lunch break to a local park, enjoy your lunch far from your table, or even close your eyes and take a full and deep breath. The goal is to prioritize rest in the afternoon to improve mental health, balance, and fulfill your life as a whole.

Spend less time on the sofa

Regular time outdoors have long been recommended by health experts to improve and maintain our welfare. Time in nature can improve emotional well -being, reduce stress and anxiety, improve cognitive function, increase sleep, and many more (Loughborough University found that even 15 minutes in nature can open this benefit).

Because country Walkability like Spain, is normal for Spanish women to regularly step out to spend time outside the city. As a household person himself, I know that I have to try to get out of the house, even if that means sitting outside in my hanging bed with a good book. Especially during the summer, I combine more time outside the room with the activities that I have done, such as taking yoga and exercise outside, eating out, or making the nature of my office to work.

Slow down and live with enthusiasm

Another habit that I observed in the Spanish women’s company was that they were almost never in a hurry, and they seemed to have this unexpected desire to live a full life. Smooth (â € œRelaxâ €) and Does not matter (“There is no problem” is a recurring phrase that I hear every day from the indigenous people. The first few weeks I in Spain, I found myself in a case where this phrase was directed to me. One time I was demoted near my house, and, to avoid the cars behind us from waiting for me to get out of the car, I rushed to release my seat belt and started collecting my items before the car stopped. Convincing me that I don’t have to be in a hurry. Another example is when I accidentally cut off this woman in a queue at the bank.

Slow life is always attractive to me, and something I try to practice every day. But that did not be what could not be negotiated for me until I buried myself in a culture that shows that it is possible to do it. This lifestyle choice finally explains why Spanish women can live with enthusiasm: they are slow enough to enjoy it.