LIVING WELL: Wellness Tips from Around the World

The Dutch prioritize their physical wellness by incorporating cycling into their daily commutes and transportation. Add this to your routine by taking your bicycle to run your essential errands or swap your family’s outdoor activities with a bike ride.

Mediterranean Diet

There are many heart-healthy benefits of the Mediterranean diet, which maximizes fruits, vegetables, olive oil, and fish and minimizes processed foods and red meat. Try out a recipe that incorporates some common Mediterranean ingredients and make note of how you feel afterward.

Power Nap

Power naps pack a punch in both Spanish and Japanese cultures. In Japan, many offices have a nap room and in Spain many workplaces close down in the afternoon for a siesta. A twenty to forty minute nap  can leave you feeling refreshed, reset, and ready to tackle your at-home projects.

Meditation

Many South Asian countries, India in particular, focus on meditation  as an essential part of a personal wellness routine. Meditation can have a major impact on our mental health and can help restore calm and clarity during unusual times.

Embrace Hygge

The Danes have a term for the warm and cozy feeling of contentment – hygge (pronounced “hoo-gah”). Hygge is about appreciating the simple things  in life with good people. We can all benefit from the happiness that comes from curling up by a fire, reading a good book, or enjoying a tea or hot chocolate.