Every culture has their own solutions to staying healthy and there is a lot we can learn from one and other. The Bloomberg Global Health Index has created a table of the healthiest countries, examining various factors, including:
- Access and availability of clean water
- Average life expectancy
- Health risks, ie. obesity, high blood pressure and smoking or drinking habits
- Malnutrition
- Causes of death
In the most recent ranking, the USA only ranked 35th, with Spain ranking first. Which begs the question, what can we learn from other cultures about staying healthy and well?
Spain – Take a siesta (Ranks 1st)
Many of us struggle to get enough sleep, which is why a short midday snooze can work wonders. Getting more rest can help lower stress and blood pressure, and improve your working memory. Although, to avoid the post-nap grogginess, experts recommend sleeping for about 10 – 20 minutes.
Italy: Try a Mediterranean Diet (Ranks 2nd)
Italy is well known for its pizza and pasta, but the Mediterranean diet is common in Italy. This diet is characterized by an abundance of vegetables and fruits, bread, fish, olive oil, poultry, a relatively low consumption of red meat and a moderate consumption of wine during a meal. Following this kind of diet can help reduce the risk of multiple health issues, including heart disease, strokes, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes and Parkinson’s.
Japan: Leave a little room (Ranks 4th)
Originating in the city of Okinawa, the term ‘Hara hachi bu’ is a Japanese phrase meaning “Eat until you’re 80% full.”This term became popular as it helped locals eat more mindfully and prevent overeating. Japan ranks very highly on the index and also benefits from very low rates of illness from cancer, stroke, heart disease and a long average life expectancy.
Sweden: It’s all about balance (Ranks 6th)
The Swedes take their downtime seriously, which helps prevent stress and burnout. They are second on the OECD index for work-life balance. With only 1% of Swedes working more than 50 hours per week. This difference in culture now means that flexible work hours have become the norm.
France: Find joy in the small things (Ranks 12th)
The French have a saying (Joie de vivre) that means “joy of living”, which encourages them to take time and enjoy the small things in life, show gratitude, and savor the present. Studies have shown that this glass-half-full ethos can bring great health benefits, especially when it comes to heart disease. One of the key ways the French live by the phrase is by choosing quality over quantity. While in the US, food manufacturers will often replace traditional ingredients with synthetic alternatives, these never caught on in France. This is mainly because the French prefer to enjoy small quantities of the real thing. They will have their cake, and eat it, but savor it enough that it will satisfy their sweet tooth for a while.
The Netherlands: Get on your bike (Ranks 15th)
Bikes are often the first thing people think of when discussing The Netherlands. Which isn’t surprising considering that about 27% of all trips in the Netherlands are made by bicycle. Cycling has multiple health benefits and a recent study found that the high amount of cycling in The Netherlands prevents about 6500 deaths each year, and gives Dutch people a half-a-year-longer life expectancy.