The varying cultures of the world have resulted in different lifestyles; this is shown through different food cuisines, beliefs, customs, and more, including how people practice healthy lifestyles.
In this blog, I discuss six healthy lifestyle choices that you may find interesting and maybe want to incorporate into your own life!
Cycling to work – the Netherlands
It is no secret how famous the Netherlands is for its amount of bicycles on the streets. Indeed, around a quarter of the Dutch population in the Netherlands cycle to their workplaces.
Why? Well, cycling to work allows people to incorporate movement into their work life while staying on schedule during busy days.
It can also be faster due to the dreadful vehicle traffic jams during rush hours. It is also cheaper – not only does a bicycle cost less than buying and maintaining a car, but the Dutch government actually pays people 19 cents per kilometre cycled (tax-free)!
The government does this to help reduce carbon emissions; that means cycling is healthier, faster, cheaper, AND it also helps the environment!
Here in Dublin, you can cycle to campus or work quite easily as the roads are mostly flat and there are cycle lanes throughout the city centre. You can buy a bike, second-hand or brand new, in stores such as Cycleways (many offer student discounts too), or you can keep an eye on websites such as Adverts.ie. Alternatively, you can use you student Leap Card to join the Dublin Bike scheme, and rent a bike to get around with a daily or an annual pass!
Yoga – India
Yoga from India is perceived as a spiritual practice from Hinduism. Many thousands of years ago, the Adiyoga (first yogi) named Shiva shared his yoga practices with seven pupils, who traveled around the world to show what they had learned.
It is now practiced by over 300 million people globally!
Since it has been in practice for such a long time, there have developed many different types of yoga.
There is hot yoga, acro yoga, ashtanga yoga, power yoga, and more. Yoga can be beautiful because it combines mobility and healthy movement for the body with a deeper sense of connection to the soul, body, and perhaps any spiritual being you believe in.
Yoga can be difficult, or it can be calming. Approach it with an open mind and try the many different practices of yoga through numerous sources on YouTube or in-person classes (like the ones at the Trinity Sports Centre!).
Getting up early – Japan
It is common knowledge worldwide that people are more likely to have a good day when they start off on the right foot. In Japan, starting off on the right foot means waking up early – on average, 6 am!
This may feel crazy to some, but imagine having three whole hours compared to one before a 9am class: you could study, read, work out, stretch, have a relaxing breakfast, and truly take your time getting ready for the day. This Japanese concept of waking up early is called Ikigai, interpreted as the reason to wake up in the morning, or one’s purpose for the day.
The Japanese use the term Ikigai as the sacred time to themselves for the day. Life can easily get complicated, messy, and hard, and having some time to oneself for self-care can help place one in a positive mindset for the day. Before you knock it, try it. It may reduce your anxiety about getting enough done by giving you the time to relax in the morning!
Running – Kenya
Kenyans have dominated the world of long-distance running (from the 3,000-metre steeplechase to the marathon) for a long time. Many say it is due to their genetics, but science states that it’s more than that.
Runners in Kenya start their day early and immediately stretch with friends before running for at least an hour daily on the beautiful, mountainous trails. These runs range from easy, aerobic runs, to interval training.
Now, running to the level of Kenyan runners isn’t necessary, but running consistently has been proven to improve one’s longevity through the aerobic capacity of the lungs, maintaining joint strength, and spending time outside!
Sea swim and sauna – Norway
Norway is deemed the happiest country in the world not for its weather or physical location, but rather for the approach and pace of life, including routines.
An especially interesting and unique routine many Norwegians practice is their submerging in cold and hot temperatures.
Many Norwegians do weekly swims in the cold (and I mean COLD) sea and then some time in the sauna, repeating the process multiple times with friends. This routine is a great way to catch up with mates, and also has great physical benefits!
Submerging in cold and hot temperatures has been proven to improve circulation, relax the muscles, improve recovery time after the daily stresses of life or intense exercises, and reduce overall stress by helping focus on breathing throughout the varying temperatures.
Swimming in the sea also helps people connect with nature, which can be hard when one lives the city life.
Burning sage – Mexico
To finish off these global healthy practices, this final healthy practice is an easy one and can be a great way to achieve healthier habits without much difficulty.
Indigenous tribes from northern Mexico burn white sage, an evergreen shrub, as a ceremonial herb to cleanse, purify, and pray to the gods. This sage overall brings a nice, natural smell to artificial areas that is welcoming and calming. This can be extremely helpful when you need to to be able to focus and study. It can also enhance cognition and improve your memory.
White sage may not be available to you, but burning a nice candle with scents found in nature may help decrease stress and add to a warmer environment. Having an area calms you is very important and helpful for mental health!
If you want to learn about even more healthy practices from around the world, check out this blog.
