Discover the European Way of Wellness

Hi friend,

I hope your summer is going well.

I just returned from a two-week adventure through Europe, and one of the things that struck me most is how Europeans seem to stay healthy with ease.

So today, we’ll share a little recap through this lens: The European Way of Wellness

Stay tuned ‘til the end for photos from the trip.

Let's dive in.

Natural Movement

Despite exploring one of the most popular cities in France, Lyon, I did not see a single gym all week.

Yet, everyone I saw appeared to be in decent shape.

How’s that possible?

The same way most people in the 1960’s were healthy.

Life was set up, naturally, for healthy living.

Movement was a part of everyday life.

In Europe, trains are easier & more affordable to use than cars, making them the most common mode of transportation.

This encourages walking and spending more time on your feet.

The friends we stayed with in France - Adrien & Colleen - each bike 4+ miles a day to work.

My cousins - Annicka & Oskar - are masters when it comes to public transportation, both navigating bus/train schedules with ease & effectiveness.

Consistent movement is the norm, and there’s a lot we can learn from this example.

In what ways might we incorporate more ~natural movement~ into our days?

Functional Pharmacies

On my last day in France, I got hit hard with a serious travel bug.

Thankfully, some medicine & a fever knocked it out of my system within a couple days.

The reason I mention this, though, is my girlfriend’s experience at a French pharmacy. 

While I was still sleeping, she went out to get some medicine. An MVP move right there. 

To our surprise, a pharmacist spent 20 minutes with her discussing my symptoms and what might help me feel better. 

She came back with an absolute haul - 7 items ranging from organic cough drops to homeopathic flu support to Advil to natural Vitamin C - all for just $40.

In America, just a pack of Advil would cost nearly half of that. 

And meeting with a pharmacist? Forget about it. 

Beyond that - the pharmacist’s knowledge went beyond conventional Western medicine and included more holistic disciplines like herbalism & naturopathic… which is also unheard of in the US.

This experience was a stark contrast to an American CVS, which often feels more like a candy store in disguise 🤡

Perhaps there’s something to a country offering accessible & affordable health solutions…

While complete systemic change often feels out of reach, there’s a way to support healthier systems by voting with our dollar: supporting local businesses, vetoing predatory companies, and choosing more conscious options.

Together, these tiny actions can aggregate to a healthier, and hopefully, more equitable future.

My New Favorite Meal: Apéro

The day we arrived in the French Alps, we were welcomed with a wonderful spread of bites & appetizers.

We caught up, exchanged stories, and shared plans for the future.

Hours felt like minutes.

This French tradition, known as Apéro, is a pre-dinner gathering that involves sharing drinks & snacks with friends & family.

According to a Taste France article, “unlike American happy hours, French apéros start later, last longer, and offer a different selection of food and drinks.”

Common Apéro foods include olives, nuts, veggies, hummus, bread, butter, cheese, and pâté. 

I believe that it’s a key to health for the following reasons:

• Slow & Social Eating: Encourages relaxed & meaningful interactions.

• Local Foods: Focuses on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.

Slow & Social Eating

As we were walking around Switzerland, I was shocked at how busy the restaurants were.

It was a weekday afternoon, and the crowds were clearly not tourists.

Co-workers were out on the town together, in the middle of the day.

Meals were being shared socially & slowly.

This practice is a through-line between many Blue Zones: or the regions in the world with the most people living above 100 years old.

In these regions, people often eat slowly, share meals with family & friends, and incorporate social interactions into their daily lives all of which are associated with lower levels of stress & better overall health.

The slower pace of meals is echoed by wait staff at European restaurants - they check in far less than American staff, and give you space to relax, take it slow, and enjoy your meal.

How might we be able to incorporate more slow or social elements to our mealtimes?

Local Foods

If you’re trying to figure out how to eat food that is both better tasting & better for you, buying local foods is the key.

Few culinary strategies deliver taste & health at the same time…

When I left for Europe, I despised olives. 

Despite my Italian heritage, I could not get over that salty flavor & peculiar texture.

Then we went to Cassis - a Mediterranean port town in Southern France.

After trying an assortment of olives & tapenades from the farmer’s market, I’m totally sold.

The freshness was overwhelming and the flavor was unlike anything I’ve had in the states.

While in Cassis, we attended a farmer’s market that stretched for as far as the eye can see… multiple city blocks full of brightly colored foods & captivating smells.

This, as well as the prevalence of seasonal restaurant menus, highlights the popularity of eating local & seasonal foods across Europe.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), local foods travel an average of 45 miles from farm to table, compared to 1,500 miles for conventional foods.

This means fresher, more nutrient-dense food.

How might we support local farmers & incorporate more seasonal foods into our diets?

Work-Life Balance

I learned a handful of French expressions during my time abroad and here’s my favorite (translation):

“Slow in the morning & not too fast in the afternoon.”

Meaning, slow down.

Be present. 

Work, but not too hard.

Enjoy what’s in front of you.

While there’s a fine balance between enjoyment & productivity - it’s important to realize that the former can assist with the latter.

When we feel rested, happy, & fulfilled, we’re better able to show up.

When we focus on our life, our work naturally improves & expands.

That’s one of the big lessons I’m bringing home with me from this European trip.

How can we create a deeper harmony between work & life?

What is the (current & ideal) relationship between health, happiness, and productivity?

How might we learn from other cultures or perspectives to inform our own perception?

Photos of the Month

Thank you for Reading

Wishing you a great weekend ahead.

I’ll see you next time.

Aidan