7 Principles Of The Mediterranean Lifestyle
The Mediterranean Lifestyle encompasses more than the diet itself. The secret is not only in discovering the elements of the perfect diet, it is also having the confidence to live life to the fullest, whilst finding the perfect balance in eating, working and living habits. A diet rich in vegetables, pulses, grains and olive oil; an active lifestyle with daily, moderate exercise; low overall stress levels; close relationships with friends and family; interaction and being an active part of a community all greatly contribute to our overall health and well-being and help to shape this distinct lifestyle.
These aren’t just the secrets to happiness, they are the key to longevity as well.
Newsletter
Principle 1: Eat Healthily
Nowadays, nutrition plays an important role for a balanced lifestyle. It is absolutely essential to the health of all of us, and healthy eating doesn’t have to be overly complicated. As the saying goes: You are what you eat! It’s about feeling great, having more energy, improving our health, and boosting our mood. One type of diet that has received particular attention in recent years is the Mediterranean diet.
Principle 2: Spend time with friends & family
Spending time with friends and family is an important part of a healthy social life. For us humans, social life is essential to every aspect of our health. It is an integral part of developing and maintaining relationships, expanding knowledge and learning new skills. Social life can be defined as the interaction between groups of people including family, friends, co-workers and other acquaintances who share common interests and activities.
Principle 3: Find time to relax
Although work is an absolute necessity, it is also essential that we make relaxation a priority. We now live in a fast-paced world where life has become so hectic and stress an integral part of our everyday lives. The mixture of professional stress, financial problems, constant availability, additional private problems with the family or in the relationship and other obligations competing for our attention that want to be solved in the same breath make it necessary to find phases in which we can recover. So it’s important to slow down and find time to relax. It often doesn’t seem possible to make this time in the midst of our busy schedules, but right now it’s time to clear our heads. It’s not only important, it’s absolutely essential if we want to stay fit and healthy. Otherwise, health problems, irritability, sleep disorders, depression and other side effects can result. Studies show that various forms of relaxation can help alleviate many chronic health problems, restore energy, and promote more positive self-esteem.
Principle 4: Get happy
What is happiness in one word?
Even in ancient times, the Greek philosopher Aristotle was fascinated by the meaning of happiness and wanted to find out how people can achieve happiness. Happiness is difficult to define because it means something different to each person. No one can fully understand or experience another person’s feelings, and we all have our own particular passions that we delight in. However, while it has many different definitions, it is commonly described as positive emotions and life satisfaction. If we would try to put it in one word, it could be joy, exhilaration, bliss, contentment, enjoyment, satisfaction, fulfillment.
Principle 5: Sleep well
Sleep is a vital part of a healthy lifestyle. It is one of the most important aspects of all, but is often overlooked and taken for granted by many. Yet it is essential for both physical and mental health and affects how we function in daily life. It affects almost every area in our body! When we get enough sleep, our bodies and minds are able to function better. Sleep deprivation, on the other hand, exhausts our brain so much that it can no longer fully fulfill its tasks. Just one night of sleep deprivation can dramatically affect mood the next day. This becomes clear when we consider that our cognitive abilities include attention, memory, learning, creativity, planning, orientation, imagination or will are severely restricted after only 17 hours.
Principle 6: Be productive
Being productive and having a purpose in life are essential to living a fulfilling life and achieving personal growth. Whether it’s at work, school, or in our daily lives, it’s important and something most of us strive for. Living a purposeful life means doing what drives our soul, and finding it can be a lifelong process. It has been proven that people who pursue their passions are happier people. Statistically, they also live longer because they have a reason to get up every morning. They use their talents to pursue a meaningful life purpose that is outside their comfort zone and bigger than themselves. This in turn has a positive effect on other people!
Principle 7: Stay physically Active
Regular physical activity is one of the most important things we can do for our health. It is an important part of maintaining physical and mental health. That’s why physical activity and exercise are important for everyone, to improve overall well-being and quality of life regardless of age, body type or BMI. Numerous studies show that regular exercise and physical activity not only reduce the risk of premature mortality, but also help to delay or even prevent age-related diseases. This increased mobility and balance is aided by strong muscles and bones. They can also help lower the risk of chronic conditions like heart disease, reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, and help maintain a healthy weight.