While Americans tend to focus on hustle culture and packed schedules, many other parts of the world have long embraced the art of slowing down.
From midday siestas in Spain to simplistic and non-restrictive dining patterns in the Mediterranean, other cultures have built a tradition of rest, family, connection, health and work-life balance.
MEDITERRANEAN DINING
Originating in ancient Mediterranean coastal communities in the mid-20th century, the Mediterranean diet has become widely popular for its simplicity, tastiness and effectiveness.
What started as a simple diet grounded in natural ingredients that thrived in the area’s climate transformed into a lifestyle. Researchers now link this transformation to increased nutrition and heart health.
The diet revolves around plant-based foods, healthy fats and non-restrictive eating patterns, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Staples of the cuisine include olive oil, which provides healthy fats; grapes; vegetables; fruits; beans; and whole grains, such as whole-grain pasta. Furthermore, the diet features fish. It also includes limited dairy, little to no red meat, and no added sugars.
As stated by the Cleveland Clinic, the Mediterranean diet has been linked to a reduced risk of coronary artery disease; decreased inflammation, blood pressure and cholesterol; healthier blood sugar levels; and a lower risk of certain cancers. The cuisine has also been associated with longer lifespans. In addition, it has been tied to a slower rate of age-related brain decline.
EUROPEAN WORK-LIFE BALANCE
For decades, European countries like Austria, France and Italy have treated work-life balance as a cultural requirement — one where work fits around life, not the other way around.
According to an article from the Berkeley Economic Review, the European Union requires businesses to provide a minimum of four weeks of paid vacation to all workers. Some countries offer even more. For example, the United Kingdom provides 28 days and France offers 30 days.
Many European schedules also focus on a midday break, typically with certain businesses closing during the middle of the day. This allows employees to enjoy a time of rest, relaxation and connection with friends and family over delicious food.
Casey Werner, a 23-year-old University of Florida master’s student, said he experienced a drastic change in his quality of life while living with a host family in Austria at age 16.
“Most days we would all have lunch together, which served as the main meal of each day (back home, dinner was the biggest meal),” he wrote. “This was partially because of Austria’s greater work-life balance, allowing for flexible work and school schedules.”
Werner’s host sisters would arrive home from school for a lunch break, he said. They would alternate between eating at their home and at a nearby grandparent’s house with their other family members.
European countries also encourage more relaxed workweeks, with employees working fewer hours during the week than Americans do. As stated in the Berkeley Economic Review article, Europeans as a whole place greater value on happiness, safety and health in the workplace.
SPANISH SIESTAS
A siesta, or “nap” in English, is a midday nap or short period of rest during the early afternoon, typically after a midday meal like lunch. The activity is intended to serve as a break from the day — not just to rest your body and refuel, but to step back from the world. In addition, it lets you embrace the idea that life is meant for living, not just working.
This tradition is widely observed in Spain, with many businesses in cities like Barcelona shutting down during midday for siestas. According to Barcelona Exclusive Private Tours, siestas are also practiced in areas such as the Philippines, Northern Africa, and parts of the Middle East. Additionally, they are also common in Argentina and Chile to help unite families and friends and provide a moment of respite.
The midday nap has been reported to increase energy and productivity, reduce stress, improve communication skills and enhance overall happiness and quality of life, according to the Barcelona touring company.
FINNISH SAUNA CULTURE
Sauna culture, dating back to about 7000 BCE, has remained an integral part of Nordic culture, offering relaxation and peace to a large portion of the Finnish population.
According to UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, this tradition involves using a sauna in homes or public places. Individuals not only physically wash themselves but also cleanse their bodies and minds, gaining a sense of peace.
Saunas have historically been considered a “sacred space” in many cultures, such as Finnish, Japanese and Native American. The spiritual nature of the heated rooms has coined them with the term “church of nature,” according to UNESCO.
The rooms, which use high heat and low humidity, prompt sweating with wood-fired, electric, smoke or infrared heat sources. In Finland, one common practice is to create steam, or a “spirit,” by pouring water onto hot stones. This practice is known as löyly.
According to the National Nordic Museum, there are about 3.3 million saunas in Finland. In this country, they continue to serve as places to relax and reconnect with oneself and spirituality.
JAPANESE FOREST BATHING
Japanese forest bathing became popular in Japan in the 1980s as the practice of dedicating intentional time in nature, simply being present in the forest and connecting with one’s senses.
Known as shinrin yoku, Japanese forest bathing’s main goal is for participants to engage their five senses while observing their surroundings in nature. Japanese people who have participated in it have reported reduced blood pressure, decreased stress, improved mood and focus, increased energy, better sleep and faster recovery from illness, according to the National Forest Foundation.
While the activity is focused on relaxation, it also serves as an unintended physical activity, given the hiking and effort required to enter and travel through the forest. While ideally done in forests, people across the globe can practice this form of meditation anywhere.
The main steps are to put your phone down, choose a destination and focus on your five senses — what do you see, what do you hear in the wind, what do you smell, how does it feel to take deep breaths?
All that matters is you and the nature around you.
Related Articles
Silence Is the New Standard: The Luxury of a Quiet Travel Experience
Six Evidence-Based Ways to Calm Anxiety
