• Good eating habits – what to eat?
• Healthy eating habits – how to eat?
• Exercise is fun, exercise is fun!
• Can you rest in the middle of the day?
• Try to appreciate the beauty of what surrounds you

The Iberian Peninsula is visited by tens of millions of tourists each year, attracted by the fabulous landscapes, warm temperatures, culture, and cuisine of the Portuguese and Spanish. The aforementioned southwestern part of Europe also includes British Gibraltar and the mecca of skiers, Andorra, but this article is devoted specifically to Spain and Portugal, and in particular to the routines of their inhabitants, thanks to which they enjoy long and healthy lives. According to 2019 Eurostat data, the average life expectancy of a Portuguese person is 4 years longer than the average Kowalski, while that of a Spaniard is even 10 years longer (Portuguese – 71, Spaniards – 77, Poles – 67). These statistics consist of many different factors that cannot be listed here, but both countries, although very different even within their borders, have much in common, including healthy habits, both dietary and lifestyle.

Good eating habits – what to eat?

The cuisine of the Iberian Peninsula is extremely diverse, but if we had to list its most characteristic ingredients, they would be: legumes, fresh fish and seafood, meat, wheat bread, rice, olives, almonds, fresh local vegetables, citrus fruits, and wine. The most beneficial element of the cuisine of the southern countries is undoubtedly olives and the oil produced from them. The Spanish and Portuguese use it to season salads and roasts. We need fats to function properly. Consuming olive oil, rich in antioxidants and unsaturated fatty acids, reduces the risk of lifestyle diseases, while excessive consumption of animal fats increases this risk.

Healthy eating habits – how to eat?

Furthermore, the inhabitants of the peninsula share a tradition of eating lunch and dinner together, often spending hours together. It has long been known that eating too quickly can contribute to weight gain and the development of cardiovascular disease, as well as increasing the risk of diabetes and stroke. Sitting together at the table, whether with friends or family, also has a positive effect on our mental health and strengthens the bond with our loved ones. Such a dinner, although plentiful and consumed late in the evening, has more advantages than disadvantages for health (at least mentally).

Exercise is fun, exercise is fun!

The inhabitants of the Iberian Peninsula enjoy physical activity and view it as entertainment rather than a chore. Sport accompanies Spaniards and Portuguese from an early age – soccer after school, playing volleyball on the beach, or simply long, peaceful walks are part of the life of a typical inhabitant of the peninsula. A person who finds time for enjoyable exercise in the hustle and bustle of everyday life is someone who is not indifferent to either physical or mental health. Daily, moderate physical activity influences better ability to control emotions, improves the functioning of the entire nervous system, and improves well-being. If not for the body, then at least for the mind, it is worth finding the joy of exercise within oneself.

Can you rest in the middle of the day?

Anyone who has spent at least a few days on the peninsula knows that there isn't much going on between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Due to the hot climate there, the time when the sun is high in the sky is the best time for a break. That's when offices and banks close, shopkeepers close up shop, and everyone goes to a quiet dinner. There's a cliché that Spaniards always take a siesta for a nap. This isn't entirely true. These two hours a day are for rejuvenation, breathing space, and chatting with loved ones. When the weather cools down a bit, you return to work in a much better mood. What can this teach us? That it's worth finding a moment of relaxation during the day. A moment to carefully consume and digest your meal and escape the workload for a while.

Try to appreciate the beauty of what surrounds you

The Iberian Peninsula is a mecca for tourists, as around every corner we can find another breathtaking view. We are enchanted by the sea, mountains, vegetation, and architecture. The locals are no less delighted by all of this. Surrounding ourselves with what brings us joy is enormously important, especially in difficult times in life. And it doesn't have to be cliffs in the Algarve or a sunset in Andalusia. Let's look for what is pleasing to our closest senses. Be it a small apple tree, a mural adorning a gray building, or a pond in a park. And the gozar!