7 Wellness Tips I Learned From Living In Spain
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I proudly claim the San Francisco Bay Area as my home, but Spain now has a part of my heart. Over the past couple of years, I’ve explored parts of Spain, such as sunny Barcelona, cosmopolitan Madrid, and smaller charming cities, such as Girona. Being thousands of miles away from home, sometimes it feels like I’m in a new world.
However, it’s been a joy to immerse myself in a new lifestyle by moving out of the United States to Europe and getting to know Spanish culture in this unforgettable way. This includes walking almost everywhere, learning what a perfectly-sized cafe con leche is, and expressing myself in a whole new language. Along the way, I’ve learned and adopted some wellness tips from living abroad in Spain that can be applied to just about anywhere that you are living right now.
7 Lifestyle & Wellness Tips From Living In Spain
Walk, Walk, Walk
Having to walk around to almost all of my daily destinations in Spain has taught me to get out of my head and into my body. Coming from the San Francisco Bay Area, I had a car and drove everywhere. It was normal, and everyone in my family had a car—it was just the way to get around on top of public transportation. However, I feel that a lot of people would rather not drive.
Living abroad in Spain changed that for me completely. I had already enjoyed walking before, but having to make it a part of my daily routine started to just feel good, both physically and mentally. Also, walking everywhere gave me a chance to explore the city in a new way, and more importantly, it had a way of relaxing my whole self. So, look for a time to get an extra walk in during your week—whether it be to a cafe, an extra couple streets with your dog, or to enjoy a crisp evening stroll—to see how it makes you feel.
Breathe & Enjoy The Little Things
I would walk through the picturesque streets of Barcelona and smell the aroma of freshly baked bread regularly. You know the saying, “Stop to smell the flowers,” well in Spain … I learned to "stop and smell the fresh bread."
Local Spanish bakeries would bake bread daily near my apartment, so it was difficult to not notice the scent. The warm, comforting, and buttery fragrance reminded me to pause and breathe; it was a distinct reminder for me to enjoy the little things. We all may need that reminder once in a while. Your reminder might be spring flowers, freshly brewed coffee, a clear blue sky, or your daily greeting from your pet. Whatever it is, breathe, enjoy, and find appreciation in what surrounds you.
Take a Break—On Your Own
I have always enjoyed people-watching, but all of the walks I took daily in Spain allowed me to do it even more. Over time, I’d often see men and women, of all ages, sitting on their own at a cafe, restaurant, or even at the park. Some of them would be with a newspaper, a book, headphones, or simply with their head up, looking at their surroundings.
When I was living near San Francisco, this just didn't happen often, and there is still an uncomfortable social stigma of eating alone in public. Make time for yourself to be on your own. It doesn’t have to be long, but it’s important to let yourself disconnect and enjoy your own presence. Finding ways to be comfortable by yourself reminds you that you can feel good anywhere.
Savor Your Food
Another wellness tip I learned from living abroad in Spain is how they take time to enjoy their meals. This includes their petite breakfasts, three-course lunches, or a dinner full of tapas. Living in a more fast-paced culture in San Francisco, it was easy to forget that food is meant to be enjoyed and savored.
Also, in Spain, restaurants don’t rush you with paying for the check—it’s given when asked. When I first arrived, this was a bit of a culture shock, and I felt I was receiving poor table service, but in reality, they allowed me to take my time with my meal. So with your next meal, try to sit back, chew slowly, breathe in the tasty aromas of your food, and enjoy. It will be a significantly more pleasant experience.
Naps Are Essential
Siesta, anyone? Siestas generally mean a mid-day break that many Spaniards use to take a recharging nap, usually a two to three-hour block of time. Local shops and restaurants will close for those few hours to take a break and squeeze in a nap (seriously). Adults, teenagers, and children all take part in this. Especially growing up in the Bay Area, naps seemed to be a luxury. They were only taken if you were extremely tired, or simply if you had the extra time, which seemed minimal throughout a regular week.
After being in Spain for over two years, I’ve learned to embrace siesta time, not only by including naps, but also by taking the time to take care of my home, read, and let my mind rest. Although tempting at times, you don’t have to use the whole block of time for a siesta, but after each nap, I felt better. Your day might seem longer, but taking a 30-minute or 1-hour nap regularly is rejuvenating and refreshing. There shouldn’t be any shame in it, either!
Always Leave Room For Dessert
Europe loves its desserts, especially in Spain! With cheesecake, ice cream, layered cakes, cream-filled pastries, and rich chocolates aka bon-bons—it is hard to say no. Desserts seem to be a lot cheaper than in the U.S., are portioned better, and usually, it is already included if you order menú del día.
I noticed as I went out more and tried out new restaurants, it seemed like everyone had room for dessert…always. Of course, it’s important to not overindulge, but don’t forget to treat yourself. When you’re not having a good day or looking for a treat—eat your favorite ice cream, pick out a pretty floral bouquet, or buy yourself that dress you’ve been eyeing.
Find ways to make yourself feel special, too—you’re worth it. Maybe dessert isn’t your idea of a treat, but have it be a reminder of this wellness tip.
“No Pasa Nada!”
“No pasa nada” simply means “no big deal” or “no worries” in Spanish. It was one of my go-to phrases as I was attending Spanish classes in Barcelona. I met a lot of people from all over the world and every class was taught in complete Spanish, so it was challenging to communicate.
Sometimes class would feel like a never-ending game of charades, but in a fun and useful way. It did, however, remind me to let go a bit and that it’s okay to not be perfect—to anyone, but especially myself. Maybe this isn’t a wellness hack, but a reminder to find the fun in any situation—whatever that means to you. Although my Spanish has improved significantly since I arrived, I’m still learning. That includes butchering sentences, incorrect conjugations, and making obvious grammar mistakes, but hey, no pasa nada!
Altogether, the biggest takeaway from all of these simple wellness tips from living in Spain is to sloowww down. Probably because I am getting further along in my adult years, I am appreciating living at a slower pace, and I would quickly tell my younger self there’s no rush. Let’s all stop to smell the freshly baked bread and enjoy the ride, friends!
