Sometimes, it feels like anything that’s different from our norm must be wrong. But, it’s the differences in cultures and countries that add so much spice and variety to life, and they offer loads of opportunities to learn new things from one another.
Different countries and cultures have some amazing customs that make them healthier and happier. Incorporating some of these habits can add some excitement and variety to our lifestyles and diets, and can make us healthier in the process. What a score!
Health Tips from Around the World
India
In the ancient Indian medicinal system, ear piercing is an important technique. Piercing the lobe is believed to have the following benefits:
- Improved mental health.
- Regulation of menstrual cycles.
- A healthier reproductive system.
- Increased energy.
Many people in India also store and drink water using copper utensils because this is believed to:
- Improve digestion.
- Contribute to healthy joints.
- Boost immunity.
- Accelerate healing.
They also believe in the health benefits of fasting, which is integral to effective weight loss, a faster metabolism, and better brain function.
Italy
Many Mediterranean countries are known for their afternoon siestas, a power nap that improves your concentration, energy levels, alertness, and reaction time. Italians also know the benefit of taking a long walk after a meal. This helps the body to:
- Digest the food efficiently.
- Promote peristaltic action.
- Regulate blood sugar levels.
- Promote appreciation to lower stress levels.
In addition, Italians aren’t generally about excess and over-processed food. They eat fresh, light, well-prepared food, they eat slowly, and, most importantly, they stop eating when they’re full. They opt for smaller portions and are intentional about each mouthful – savouring it with appreciation.
France
As a culture, the French promote the health benefits of having regular, meaningful sex. This contributes to:
- Better heart health.
- Greater intimacy with your partner.
- Decreased anxiety and depression.
- Improved libido and self-esteem.
- Relief of chronic pain and headaches.
- Improved blood pressure.
- Stronger immune system to fight everything from the common cold to cancer and auto-immune issues.
- Better sleep.
To ensure that the French stay healthier for longer, the government has also banned free refills on sodas and sugary drinks, imposed taxes on beverages that are high in sugar, and done away with vending machines in schools.
Thailand
If you’ve been to Thailand, you know that the food is all about flavour and texture. So, even a small portion of something you’ve picked up from the street vendor is ultimately satisfying. You’re not constantly snacking because you’re craving something you’re not getting. The variety of sweet, salty, savoury, spicy, creamy, crunchy, and fresh has it all covered!
Thai people also eat smaller portions, and they tend to grow, pick and prepare their meals from scratch. This creates an appreciation for the entire process, and it becomes about more than a quick meal…it’s a lifestyle.
Croatia
The beautiful country of Croatia has a stunning coastline and takes advantage of the seafood. They incorporate a huge amount of healthy fats in their daily diet. They eat sardines, anchovies, mackerel, and tuna. The fats and protein in these have numerous amazing benefits. They:
- Reduce the plaque that builds up in the arteries, eventually causing heart attacks, strokes, and high blood pressure.
- Contribute to a healthy weight by lowering triglycerides.
- Promote healthy skin and hair, making you look younger for longer.
- Reduce cravings for carbs and sugar, and leave you feeling satisfied for longer.
Cuba
Cuban people traditionally tend to opt for whole food that is rich in nutrients. Their normal diet doesn’t include much refined sugar and starches, or processed food. They include beans, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, in addition to fruit and vegetables.
Turkey
The Turks seem to have the right idea! Their approach to life and health is all about drinking loads of tea, dancing, and eating together! If being healthy is that fun, we could all do with more of it.
Drinking black tea throughout the day gives them an opportunity to stop and take a break to sip on a cuppa. This tea has flavonoids and antioxidants; promoting healthy hearts and cholesterol levels, and reducing the risk of strokes and heart attacks.
By eating together, Turks savour the whole experience more, adding joy and diminishing anxiety. They eat slowly and take this time to express themselves, share their anxieties, and celebrate their successes.
As far as dancing goes, Turkish folk can’t resist the chance to dance at just about any occasion, or even just in response to performers on the street. This is a fabulous way to release stress, promote weight loss, increase strength and energy, and take full advantage of the power of music.
Ukraine
Ukrainians have interesting habits that contribute to good health. They tend to express their emotions loudly and without hindrance. They love get-togethers and will gladly welcome newbies into their group of friends quickly. This social way of life is a great way to reduce anxiety, improve self-esteem, and improve your general well-being as you feel loved, heard, and accepted.
The next tip might be a little harder to incorporate…they dive into ice holes. Ice baths are an incredible way to handle depression, anxiety, immunity, digestion, and skin health. For more insights into how the cold can benefit us and be implemented into our everyday life, read this: https://nordens.co.za/20-incredible-health-benefits-of-ice/.
Korea
In Korea, fermented food is a norm. And this trend has infiltrated the rest of the world so that we all get to enjoy the delights of kimchi and kombucha. Other fermented foods include sauerkraut, sourdough bread, Stilton cheese, and Greek yoghurt. These improve:
- Digestion
- Immunity
- Brain function
- Metabolism
- General gut health
- Blood sugar levels
- Blood pressure
- Heart health
- Bladder health
- Asthma
- Eczema
- The symptoms of diabetes
Moving Forward
We’re in a world where convenience and instant gratification feel like the right choice in response to all the stresses and strains of modern living. But, staying healthy might be as easy as incorporating some of these simple habits and customs from other countries and cultures. Another easy way to promote body and mind health is with our affordable range of supplements. Click here to have a look at our amazing health range and to order online.