{"id":8955,"date":"2023-11-21T00:08:47","date_gmt":"2023-11-20T17:08:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=8955"},"modified":"2023-11-21T00:08:47","modified_gmt":"2023-11-20T17:08:47","slug":"how-the-french-approach-health-in-paris","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=8955","title":{"rendered":"How the French Approach Health in Paris"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p> <span class=\"drop-cap__first text-dropcap \">I<\/span>t\u2019s easy for Americans to romanticize life abroad\u2026 whisking away to a foreign locale and relaxing into a dreamy life, far from the cortisol-fueled chaos of the corporate world in the States. In fact, I romanticized it so much that I leapt across the pond myself, golden retriever in tow, to pursue <em>la vie en rose<\/em> in Paris.<\/p>\n<p>Moving to a new country has come with its fair share of hurdles\u2014visa documents, legal logistics, the dreaded <em>dossier<\/em> (extensive paperwork required for renting) and apartment hunting\u2014but living in the City of Light also comes with incredible benefits and lifestyle changes.<\/p>\n<p>I thought that perhaps it was due to still being in the honeymoon phase of my love affair with Paris, but after conferring with fellow North American expats here, I found that I\u2019m not alone. Life here feels healthier\u2026 and not in the ways I would\u2019ve expected.<\/p>\n<p>As a health and beauty editor from California, my routine used to consist of cramming as many boutique fitness workouts as possible into my week: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/what-are-pilates-reformer-classes\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/what-are-pilates-reformer-classes\/\">reformer Pilates<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.barrys.com\/country-select\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.barrys.com\/country-select\/\">Barry\u2019s<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.soul-cycle.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.soul-cycle.com\/\">SoulCycle<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/walking-workouts-trend\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/walking-workouts-trend\/\">hot girl walks<\/a>, etc. I also enjoyed long strolls through Whole Foods and spin offs of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/erewhon-market-savings\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/erewhon-market-savings\/\">Erewhon<\/a> in San Diego, as well as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/quinoa-avocado-salad-recipe\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/quinoa-avocado-salad-recipe\/\">grain bowls<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/acai-bowl-recipes\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/acai-bowl-recipes\/\">a\u00e7a\u00ed bowls,<\/a> and $30 salads.<\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content \" style=\"\" data-module-init=\"related-content\" data-module-immediate=\"\" v-cloak=\"\">\n<div class=\"related-content__wrapper \" v-cloak=\"\" :class=\"{'is-loaded':isLoaded}\">\n<p> <span class=\"inline pr-6 text-seafoam-dark\">Related Stories<\/span> <\/p>\n<p> <related-content class=\"related-content__links\" parent-article-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/french-approach-health\/\" current-title=\"How the \u2018French Approach\u2019 to Health Changed My Wellness Routine and Lowered My Stress Levels\" current-image=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2023-11-20-094832-425x285_418x278_true_70.webp\" v-on:parsely-posts-loaded=\"onPostsLoaded\" start-date=\"2023-05-20\" tag=\"div\" inline-template=\"\" url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/french-approach-health\/\" secret=\"w5ztterVB03LGZJLfXS0hf3EvQBuFFIWew9hmVQxthU\" apikey=\"wellandgood.com\" limit=\"3\"> <\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"related-content__card mb-[10px] sm:mb-[20px]\" :class=\"{'related-content__card--full':posts.length === 1}\" v-for=\"(post, key) in posts\"> <a v-on:click.prevent=\"trackLinkGA($event, key)\" :href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/french-approach-health\/post.url\" data-url-source=\"related-content\" class=\"related-content__link\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"\"> <\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content__card--image bg-tan\" :style=\"{ backgroundImage: 'url(' + post.image_url + ')' }\"> <img :src=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/french-approach-health\/post.image_url\" :alt=\"post.title\"\/> <\/div>\n<p> <\/a>  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <\/related-content> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Don\u2019t get me wrong, I loved my life in sunny Southern California, at the beach, living a healthy, active life. But Paris is different.<\/p>\n<p>This fundamentally comes down to lowered stress levels. Again, this is still planet Earth, not a castle in the sky \u2014 there are<em> definitely<\/em> still daily stressors, life events, and emergencies. But in general, the <em>style de vie<\/em> here in Paris is very different from what many Americans are used to.<\/p>\n<p>Everyone here has a different experience and perspective. I\u2019m not French, I\u2019m not Parisian, and this is just my unique, individual account. So I had some fellow North American expats weigh in, too.<\/p>\n<h2>What I&#8217;ve learned about how the French approach health from living in Paris<\/h2>\n<h3>The pace is slower<\/h3>\n<p>In the US, particularly pre-COVID, my life was hyperfocused on productivity. In the workplace, at home, and in the gym. Whether it was goal setting and clearing out my inbox, or using 27 different wellness tracking apps trying to \u2018biohack\u2019 my health, simply <em>being a human<\/em> felt like several full-time jobs. I don\u2019t want to use the whole &#8220;rat race&#8221; clich\u00e9, but even in my slower seasons, I felt like I was in a hamster wheel.<\/p>\n<p>Amy Buchanan, PhD, clinical psychologist at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.onemedical.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.onemedical.com\/\">One Medical<\/a> agrees that our hyperspeed American culture (and pressures of productivity) can certainly contribute to poor health outcomes. \u201cWhile productivity can be gratifying and helpful in many regards, too much pressure to fit in more each day can contribute to increased stress and take away from organic opportunities to rest that our bodies and minds need,\u201d she says. \u201cOver time, this chronic stress can negatively impact our psychological and physical wellness.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>This became especially apparent within my first month of living in France. I remember asking my therapist: \u201cIs it okay to just\u2026 be?\u201d Perhaps it\u2019s a French <em>laissez-faire<\/em> kind of energy, but things are slower and simpler for me here, even in the bustling capital city.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m more relaxed here. I know for many French people and Europeans however, this city can feel fast paced and cold\u2026 but compared to my day-to-day life in the US, it\u2019s a dramatically slower and easier pace of life. And to boot, I\u2019m also significantly less stressed about health-care costs. Medical expenses feel &#8220;basically free&#8221; compared to what I\u2019ve been paying the past three decades in the US because I&#8217;m able to sign up for France&#8217;s universal health care, even as an expat. But I digress\u2026.<\/p>\n<p>New York-based therapist <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shadowlightcenter.com\/jason\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.shadowlightcenter.com\/jason\">Jason Maas<\/a>, LMHC, concurs that this slow-down directly contributes to a healthier body in many ways, and clarified my anecdotal experience from a clinical perspective.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe key to understanding how a slower pace of life is healing and helpful for the body is to consider how the body was designed to keep us safe,\u201d says Maas. \u201cOur sympathetic nervous system is designed to activate the body into a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/stress-responses\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/stress-responses\/\">fight or flight response<\/a>, sending blood flow to areas that heighten our senses, and give energy it needs to evade a predator\u2026 only now the predator is in our minds. What is happening is we end up living in this chronic state of hypervigilance, which leads to adrenal problems, chronic fatigue, anxiety, autoimmune disorders, types of inflammation. Stress is a fundamental factor in disease.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Maas tells me that by slowing my pace, I\u2019ve contributed to my overall well-being in a powerful way. \u201cLearning to slow down is a way of showing the body that everything\u2019s okay,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<h3>More walking, less gym time<\/h3>\n<p>Yes, we all know that living in a city like Paris (even New York!) is synonymous with an increased daily step count. We\u2019re walking everywhere, getting outside more. Coming from California, getting out of the car and onto the sidewalks was a major shift. I now walk every day, and not just a walk around the block with my dog. On some days, I walk seven miles just doing errands, meeting up with friends, or exploring the city.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/bisousmorgan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/bisousmorgan\/\">Morgan Hizar<\/a>, an American expat in Paris since 2018, also emphasizes the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/benefits-of-walking-2022\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/benefits-of-walking-2022\/\">value walking<\/a> more has had on her own health\u2014she shares that her town in Ohio was far from walkable. \u201cWe would literally have to <em>take our car<\/em> to go intentionally walk somewhere [laughs],\u201d she says. \u201cIt would require extra time out of our day from working, commuting, etc., whereas here [in Paris], it\u2019s just part of our daily life. I very easily hit 10K steps without even trying, whereas in the US I had to intentionally go out to walk.\u201d Statistically, this is true for most Americans\u2014<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/healthy-lifestyle\/fitness\/in-depth\/10000-steps\/art-20317391\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/healthy-lifestyle\/fitness\/in-depth\/10000-steps\/art-20317391\">the average US adult walks fewer than 4,000 steps per day<\/a>, according to Mayo Clinic.<\/p>\n<p>Walking has been the bulk of my personal wellness routine since moving abroad. And what\u2019s wild is that despite having less time in boutique studios and gyms than my &#8220;former life,&#8221; I\u2019m still staying in shape and I feel great. I go to one, maybe two workouts a week. Usually reformer Pilates (in French, which is fun!). Sometimes ballet, sometimes yoga. Nothing intense.<\/p>\n<p>As mentioned, I used to be obsessed with going to workouts\u2014and my fellow expats were too. Some of this comes down to a cultural shift, leaving North America and coming to Europe.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAmerican culture had a huge impact on the way I used to approach working out,\u201d says <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/jamienyq\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/jamienyq\/\">Jamie Nyqvist<\/a>, an American-Finnish content creator and digital marketer (living in Paris since 2016). \u201cThe gym was a huge part of my routine; I liked working out solo with my weights. But I find that &#8220;gym culture&#8221; is quite the opposite in France. People love group activities, especially ones that integrate working out in a natural way. Bouldering has become huge here; I&#8217;ve also seen a lot of jogging and outdoor workout groups.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Nyqvist adds that the French take a different approach to staying fit than we do in the States. \u201cThey integrate concepts of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/push-and-pull-workouts\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/push-and-pull-workouts\/\">functional training<\/a> and working out into their daily lives. \u2018Unintentional movement\u2019 is a huge part of a Parisian&#8217;s day, whether it&#8217;s walking to the metro, biking, or walking up several flights of stairs.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Canadian expat <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@alliegoodbun?lang=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@alliegoodbun?lang=en\">Allie Goodbun<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/moulin-rouge-dancer-fitness-routine\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/moulin-rouge-dancer-fitness-routine\/\">principal dancer at Moulin Rouge<\/a> (living in Paris since 2021) noted that the boutique fitness craze is only <em>just<\/em> beginning to catch on in Paris.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWellness culture is SO different here,\u201d she says. \u201cFitness is a bit more advanced, more current in North America,\u201d she says. \u201cBecause there, <em>that<\/em> is your way of feeling put together\u2014by doing your morning routine, wearing your workout clothes, working out. [In Paris], \u2018productivity\u2019 is enjoying your slow morning, making sure your house is clean, putting on a really nice outfit, and going to the boulangerie\u2014it\u2019s a different mindset.\u201d Goodbun says that she swapped a gym membership for a subscription to the urban bike share platform <a href=\"https:\/\/www.velib-metropole.fr\/en_GB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.velib-metropole.fr\/en_GB\">V\u00e9lib\u2019<\/a>; she bikes around Paris each day, exploring the different arrondissements (neighborhoods).<\/p>\n<h3>It\u2019s easier to eat healthy<\/h3>\n<p>You could be thinking, okay\u2026 butter, croissants, cheese, wine, and even cigarettes\u2026 How the hell do you have a healthier diet in France? And trust me, I get it. I still don\u2019t understand the whole cigarette thing (sorry, France), but as for the rest? I\u2019ve been <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/intuitive-eating-principles\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/intuitive-eating-principles\/\">intuitive eating<\/a>\u2014essentially eating whatever I want mindfully, with no category being off limits, ever.<\/p>\n<p>Coming from (coastal, southern) California where everything is vegan, raw, sprouted, sugar-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, I actually saw how that type of eating (and approach to food) can be <em>unhealthy<\/em>. In fact, I got certified in nutrition coaching with Precision Nutrition to help people find more food freedom, because I saw how much food fear was hurting people around me.<\/p>\n<p>All types of foods are embraced in France, from buttery <em>viennoiseries<\/em> (baked goods) to cured meats and melty raclette cheese. Dairy isn\u2019t the devil, here, and you\u2019d be hard-pressed to find a gluten-free baguette. But in addition to welcoming in milk, sugar, flour, and other things that have been vilified in American health culture, there\u2019s an emphasis on whole foods (very, <em>very<\/em> few processed foods), and eating seasonal fruits and vegetables.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe French focus heavily on seasonality of produce, and oftentimes you\u2019ll <em>only<\/em> find certain foods available when they\u2019re in season,\u201d says Hizar. \u201cIt makes it more fun to make seasonal recipes, and the quality of the produce is much better, not to mention local. I get so excited when I see cherries in season every year.\u201d And as it pertains to her health? She says the seasonality has encouraged her to cook more at home, \u201cVersus just grabbing something easy to reheat in the US.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>And as for the desserts? It\u2019s not an everyday thing\u2026 and they\u2019re <em>way<\/em> less processed. \u201cAlthough we tend to equate French desserts with the decadent, luscious cakes and treats we see in <em>patisseries<\/em>, a typical daily dessert for the French is a simple plain yogurt, a piece of fruit, or a small bit of cheese,\u201d says <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@madame.tartempion?lang=en\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" rel=\"nofollow\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@madame.tartempion?lang=en\">Tessa Bicard<\/a>, head of operations for cosmetics brand <a href=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/leafgroup_ca5e0_wellgood?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.awin1.com%2Fcread.php%3Fawinmid%3D32257%26awinaffid%3D1097075%26campaign%3D%26clickref%3DSTMSLS-1132229%26ued%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fus.typology.com%252F%26platform%3Dpl&amp;p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wellandgood.com%2Ffrench-approach-health%2F&amp;event_type=click\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/us.typology.com\/\" data-type=\"affiliateLink\" data-aff-intermediate=\"https:\/\/www.awin1.com\/cread.php?awinmid=32257&amp;awinaffid=1097075&amp;campaign=&amp;clickref=STMSLS-1132229&amp;ued=https%3A%2F%2Fus.typology.com%2F&amp;platform=pl\">Typology<\/a> (and fellow Californian in Paris). \u201cAnd even those beautiful looking creations that are saved for special occasions <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2006\/03\/29\/dining\/arts\/to-lure-the-french-dont-be-too-sweet.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2006\/03\/29\/dining\/arts\/to-lure-the-french-dont-be-too-sweet.html\">tend to be lower in sugar<\/a> than their counterparts in the US.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>I will say, though, both Goodbun and I enjoy a daily croissant.<\/p>\n<p>On top of seasonal availability and generally healthier food options, eating healthy is also less expensive for me here than in the US\u2014the expats I spoke with confirmed from their own experiences, too. Expat and content creator <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/americanfille\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/americanfille\/\">Amanda Rollins<\/a> (in Paris since 2017) says, \u201cFruits and vegetables are some of the cheapest things you can buy here, whereas in the US, they are usually the most expensive. It makes it easier to choose a healthier option if you\u2019re considering your budget; you\u2019re less inclined to grab a cheap, packaged, processed snack if a healthy food is the same price or cheaper.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>As for habits, those are a bit different as well\u2014specifically around snacking, says Bicard. \u201cWhereas snacking in between meals is completely normal in the US, there are actually public health campaigns about the dangers of snacking for your health [here in France],\u201d she says. \u201cI think this is because mealtime is sacred here; it\u2019s a time to spend with family, friends or even a relaxing moment to yourself. But it&#8217;s very intentional. Not snacking allows for more whole, enjoyable and decadent meals without as much guilt.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Bicard also adds that this applies to eating during the work day. After spending a collective 12 years in France and oscillating between California and Paris for her entire adult life, she\u2019s experienced both corporate cultures. \u201cForget the sad salad at your desk as you crank through your lunch hour,\u201d she says. \u201cWe&#8217;re not even supposed to eat at our desks in my French office, and coworkers will look at you sideways if you work through your break. On any given weekday, you&#8217;ll find me having a two to three course meal in a nearby caf\u00e9 with coworkers, or heading out to a dance class or the gym. The midday lunch hour is meant for truly taking a break. This has been a big help to my mental health and work\/life balance.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>My biggest lessons from embracing a French approach to health<\/h2>\n<p>It\u2019s all fine and good to say \u201cI feel healthier,\u201d right? But what does that mean?<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m not using the scientific method here (obviously!). And I don\u2019t want to say \u201cJust trust me,\u201d either\u2026 This is just an honest account from someone who feels better and wants to share it with the world.<\/p>\n<p>Aside from a general sense of relaxation and day-to-day ease and peace, I\u2019m suffering fewer migraines\u2014and that\u2019s without treatment. In California I was getting Botox from a neurologist, as a chemodenervation and preventive treatment, every 12 weeks. I haven\u2019t had treatment since April, and yet, my migraine frequency has waned. I\u2019m also enjoying less painful periods, less anxiety, and better sleep.<\/p>\n<p>Bicard also shares that this lifestyle has helped her lose weight with little effort. \u201cI&#8217;ve lost around 15 pounds without really trying,\u201d she tells me. \u201cJust by adjusting my diet and eating to what&#8217;s culturally more accepted here.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re not trying to lose weight, it may be easier to maintain a healthy weight with these concepts in mind. Rollins tells me that since living here, weight management has come much more easily. \u201cThe quality of food here [in France] is so much higher that I don\u2019t need to diet anymore,\u201d she says. \u201cI don\u2019t <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/binge-eating-disorder\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/binge-eating-disorder\/\">binge<\/a>, and I maintain a healthy weight easily. The lifestyle has absolutely made me a healthier person.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Applying a French approach to health at home<\/h2>\n<p>You don\u2019t have to pack up your life and move to Europe to integrate these lessons (though I wouldn\u2019t steer you away if you were so inclined). Any of them can be integrated into your life, wherever you are.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe urgency that we are compelled into\u2014particularly in American culture but across the world\u2014has taken hold in much of the way we approach our day, in growing speed,\u201d says Maas. \u201cWhether we have the privilege of living in a culture that values slowness and deliberateness or not, there\u2019s an ongoing opportunity for each of us to always become more mindful of the possibility to create a slower, more conscious way of moving through our day.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>How do we do that? Funny you ask\u2026 it starts with the word <em>how<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMany people reflect on the \u2018what\u2019 of their day,\u201d says Maas. \u201cWhat time we wake up, what will we have for breakfast, what will I do for work, what exercise am I doing, what\u2019s for dinner, what will I watch, what will I do before bed, etc. And while those choices are very important for putting our day together, it\u2019s important to recognize the <em>how<\/em> that creates the moment-to-moment feedback to our nervous system.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He explains that you could be preparing the healthiest breakfast on the planet, but if you\u2019re preparing it in a stressed hurry, \u201cwith impatience and frustration, while rushing and feeling anxious,\u201d he says, you\u2019re giving your nervous system the go-ahead to wreak havoc on your health.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/regulate-your-nervous-system\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/regulate-your-nervous-system\/\">sympathetic nervous system<\/a> is \u2018sympathetic\u2019 to <em>how<\/em> stimulation is coming in; so if stimulation is urgency and impatience, it responds with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/high-cortisol-levels\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/high-cortisol-levels\/\">cortisol<\/a> and an elevated heart rate. Remember: the sympathetic nervous system is our friend\u2014it\u2019s our body trying to help us. We need to think about how to help it, and how we can help each other!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Buchanan agrees. You can do this at home! Focus on \u201cPrioritizing investment in areas of life that align with our values and setting boundaries,\u201d she says. \u201cThis can support increased balance.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>My biggest personal takeaway from this is that we don\u2019t need to overcomplicate our health, but we do need to emphasize these foundations. \u201cChill, eat good food, and walk\u201d isn\u2019t necessarily a revolutionary concept, but the combination has certainly revolutionized my life.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script async defer src=\"https:\/\/platform.instagram.com\/en_US\/embeds.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1675549\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<script>(function(w,q){w[q]=w[q]||[];w[q].push([\"_mgc.load\"])})(window,\"_mgq\");\r\n<\/script>\r\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s easy for Americans to romanticize life abroad\u2026 whisking away to a foreign locale and relaxing into a dreamy life, far from the cortisol-fueled chaos of the corporate world in the States. In fact, I romanticized it so much that I leapt across the pond myself, golden retriever in tow, to pursue la vie en &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":8956,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8955","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8955","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=8955"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8955\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/8956"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8955"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=8955"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=8955"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}