Global health tips

Bring home more than a tan from your holiday. Copy these tips for the ultimate in wellbeing. Here’s what you can learn on your travels…

what the locals can teach you on holiday

Spain tradition Siesta

The residents of many mediterranean countries head for an afternoon nap when the sun is at its hottest, and a siesta is also good for your health, say experts. Studies have found it boosts the immune system and reduces the risk of heart disease.

Holiday souvenir While it can be hard enough getting a lunch break at times, a study in the journal Sleep compared the benefits of naps of different lengths and found a 10-minute nap was the optimum length of time to boost brain performance. Find a quiet spot and literally switch off.

France tradition Healthy eating

“The French tend to cook meals from scratch and use less processed and convenience foods than us,” says Fiona Hunter, nutrition consultant for Healthspan. “They rarely eat between meals and eat smaller portions of quality food.”

Holiday souvenir eat “real” food (cheese, yogurt, bread, etc) in moderation rather than low-fat/diet versions. The best way to do this is to aim for a traditional mediterranean diet including olive oil, unsalted nuts, fish, lean meat, vegetables and fresh fruit.

Australia tradition Sun safety

australia is the first country in the world to show an improvement in skin cancer rates – largely thanks to heeding the “slip, slop, slap” education messages. By contrast, a survey by Direct Line travel insurance last year found more than a third (34%) of Brits suffered from sunburn in the previous 12 months and 23% don’t wear sun cream at all, whether at home or abroad. This is despite suggestions that being sunburnt just once every two years can triple the risk of developing skin cancer.

Holiday souvenir Get into the habit of applying a minimum SPF sunscreen every day – and reapplying it two-hourly when you’re out in the sun. Spend time in the shade, wear sunglasses and a hat.

Denmark tradition Hygge

There is no direct english translation for the Danish concept of hygge (pronounced hoo-ga). “Hygge is about an atmosphere and an experience rather than about things,” explains meik Wiking, author of The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well (Penguin Life). “It is sitting round a friendly dinner table, bathed in the yellow glow of candlelight; curling up with a good book and a cup of tea; going for a walk along a beach.”

Holiday souvenir Leave work on time: The average working week in Denmark is 8am-4pm, which means the Danish can embrace hygge by spending time after work doing what they wish.

Japan

Green tea

tradition matcha green tea has been consumed for over a millennium in the Far east, and is now considered to be one of the most powerful superfoods on the market. This antioxidant-packed drink boosts nearly every part of your body from your skin to your memory, and has even been shown to speed up your metabolism.

Holiday souvenir Try swapping one of your regular cuppas for green tea every day. Or add half a teaspoon of matcha powder to fruit juice or milk.

India tradition cooking with spices

Whether you love Indian curries or mexican fajitas, eating spicy foods could help you lose weight and boost your health. according to studies, turmeric could help slow alzheimer’s, which may explain the low incidence of the disease among the ageing population in India. Chilli peppers can speed up your metabolism and make you eat more slowly, giving the brain more time to register fullness.

Holiday souvenir Discover your own curry recipes and experiment with different spices. Stock up the store cupboard and get into the habit of using spices instead of salt to add flavour.

New Zealand tradition Manuka honey

Produced here by bees that pollinate the manuka bush, manuka honey is one of the most unique and beneficial forms of honey in the world. It’s nicknamed “liquid gold” because of its numerous healing properties, ranging from healing digestive illnesses to treating wounds. Holiday souvenir The market is flooded with fake versions so buy carefully, advises nutritionist Shona Wilkinson: “You can identify pure manuka honey by its rich golden colour and runny consistency.” w&h