I Lived in Spain for 8 Months—Here Are the Best Spanish Girl Wellness Habits I Learned

One of the most appealing aspects of travel is its ability to introduce you to new lifestyles. I love seeing how different people from different parts of the world approach their routines, attitudes, and mindsets. Last year, I decided to immerse myself in a culture that is known for their flexible routines, relaxed attitudes, and viva la vida mindsets: Spain.

I discovered many exciting things in Spain that made me pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming. Aside from their good wine, mouthwatering paella, and welcoming energy, their approach toward holistic wellness is what interested me the most. Over the course of eight months, I was able to spend time with Spanish women who practiced wellness habits that I adopted into my wellness routine (and plan to especially lean on during summer months). Here are the Spanish girl wellness habits that have become staples in my wellness routine.

Working to live instead of living to work

De-conditioning myself from the hustle mentality that’s ingrained in American culture has been a priority for me. However, it’s hard to recondition yourself from something when you’re surrounded by it 24/7, so when I moved to Spain, I was able to actively work on this mindset. The work-to-live mentality is clear in the way Spanish women structure their days. Their day usually includes a siesta (more on this later) and time to venture to a third place. Plus, there are many (guilt-free) holidays throughout the year for more built-in time off. Spanish women know how to work but not allow their work to consume them to the point they sacrifice their well-being for the sake of productivity.

Research from The American Psychological Association shows hustle culture has caused more harm than good: 79 percent of workers reportedly experience burnout. It’s not just your mental health that struggles from hustle culture—your career suffers, too. Burnout includes feelings of exhaustion, increased mental distance from one’s job, and reduced professional efficacy. To combat this, striking a work-life balance is key. Although work is still important to me, it’s not going to be the center of my life. The center is actually living life to the fullest (and my career will only be better for it).

Prioritizing frequent social connection

As an introvert, getting accustomed to Spain’s level of socialization was a challenge. They prioritize meeting with friends and family regularly, whether it be for a drink at a local bar, a leisurely walk around town, or a relaxing evening at home. Given our ongoing loneliness epidemic, maybe it’s time to take a page from the Spanish girl book of wellness. Former General Surgeon Vivek Murthy stressed the importance of social connections on Simon Sinek’s podcast, A Bit of Optimism. “There’s good signs that tell us that when people have these three elements in their life—relationships, purpose, and service—it’s good for their health,” Murthy said. “It improves their physical health, it improves longevity, it reduces depression and anxiety, it reduces the risk of high blood pressure and other cardiovascular conditions. It’s literally good for our health, physical and mental.”

I’m still not at the level of daily socialization that’s common in Spain, where they typically have daily social, family, or community gatherings (I need at least two to three business days after a group interaction), but I noticed that I make more of an effort to go out when I see social connection as a necessity rather than a suggestion in my wellness routine.

Taking the time to savor meals

Not to be dramatic, but my first traditional Spanish luncheon completely changed my life. As I explained to my Spanish co-workers one day, it’s normal for me to have a sandwich and chips for lunch. The look of horror in their eyes told me that that was not the Spanish way. They took me to a restaurant two weeks later. The meal started off with appetizers and some wine, followed by a plate of veggie burgers (specifically for me), while my co-workers indulged in a shared pan of paella. The lunch was accompanied with lively conversations, laughter, and the clinks of wine glasses. When I felt the impulse to get up, pay, and leave immediately after lunch was finished, I was encouraged to stay, kick back, and relax for another hour.

This is what it looks like to savor meals, I thought to myself. After lunch, I had a belly full of food and newfound energy to enjoy the rest of the day. Instead of rushing through my meals with my phone propped up with some sort of entertainment, I’m making it a habit to slow down and savor meals.

“Slow living has always been of interest to me, but it didn’t become a non-negotiable until I immersed myself in a culture that exemplified it’s possible.”

Creating designated time for active rest

The biggest culture shock I had was siestas. Siestas are a set time (typically from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.) when establishments close for workers to go home, have lunch, and rest. I knew about them prior to buying my plane ticket to Spain, but I didn’t know how dedicated people were to their rest. This is a wellness habit that I didn’t practice despite its benefits. A midday nap can improve performance, mood, and alertness. It’s recommended to try to nap before 3 p.m. (to avoid having sleep problems at night) and to only nap for about 20-30 minutes (to avoid grogginess).

Unfortunately, many jobs and schedules don’t allow for a routine siesta, but even if a nap in a comfy bed isn’t in the cards, there are alternative ways to reset. This can look like taking a walk during your lunch break to a local park, enjoying your lunch away from your desk, or even closing your eyes and taking full, deep breaths at your desk while doing some light stretches. The purpose is prioritizing a break in the afternoon to improve your mental health, balance, and overall fulfillment of life.

Spending less time on the couch

Regular time outdoors has long been recommended by health experts to improve and sustain our well-being. Time in nature can improve emotional well-being, reduce stress and anxiety, enhance cognitive function, improve sleep, and more (Loughborough University found that even 15 minutes in nature can unlock these benefits).

Due to the walkability of a country like Spain, it’s normal for Spanish women to regularly step outdoors to spend time out and about in the city. As a homebody myself, I know that I have to make the effort to get out of the house, even if that means sitting outside in my hammock with a good book. Especially during the summer, I’m incorporating more outdoor time with activities I already do, such as taking my yoga and workouts outside, having a meal outside, or making nature my office for work.

Slowing down and living passionately

Another habit I’ve observed in the company of Spanish women is that they’re almost never in a rush, and they seem to have this insatiable passion for living life to the fullest. Tranquila ( “relax”) and no pasa nada (“no problem”) are recurring phrases I hear on a daily basis from natives. My first few weeks in Spain, I found myself in instances where these phrases were directed at me. Once I was getting dropped off near my home, and, to avoid the cars behind us from waiting for me to get out of the car, I hurriedly unbuckled my seat belt and began to gather my things before the car stopped. “Tranquila,” my co-worker said, reassuring me that I didn’t have to rush. Another instance is when I accidentally cut this woman in line at a bank. After realizing my mistake (and profusely apologizing), the woman laughed, flicked her wrist, and muttered, “no pasa nada.”

Slow living has always been of interest to me, and something that I try to practice every day. But it didn’t become a non-negotiable for me until I immersed myself in a culture that exemplified that it is possible to do so. This lifestyle choice eventually explained why Spanish women were able to live so passionately: they slow down enough to enjoy it.