5 Ways to Adopt the Mediterranean Lifestyle
Get the Best Ingredients of a Mediterranean Vacation Without Leaving Home
There’s nothing like the glow from a Mediterranean vacation. The quality of the Mediterranean lifestyle itself is scientifically proven to make you healthier both inside and out.
Here, habits you can bring home, even if you can’t pack the life-changing pasta in your suitcase.
1. MAKE STRIDES
The streets and paths of Italian and Greek towns make walking a workout that’s integral to daily Mediterranean life. Studies show that not only does walking improve cardiovascular health and boost mood, there is also a direct correlation to skin health thanks to stress reduction and increased blood flow.
2. EAT LOCAL
A shorter journey from garden to table translates into more nutritious produce. Italians use ingredients grown in their own backyard for potency. Not all natural ingredients are the same. Italy’s unique geology and weather patterns grow plants with extra potent natural benefits. Vitamin C is a great example. Three types of Sicilian blood oranges grown in Calabria are clinically proven to improve collagen biosynthesis in skin cells and protect from environmental factors (read: it gives you younger skin) The citrus is unique to Sicily and grown in the mineral-rich soil near Mount Etna.
3. KEEP IT SIMPLE
“Less is more” is a hallmark of the Mediterranean lifestyle, which means prioritizing quality. (Classic Italian fashion, anyone?) Choose the best ingredients you can find. Try to eat natural ingredients that are harvested in season and avoid frozen or processed foods. You’ll be giving your body the nutrients it needs.
4. DINE WITH LOVED ONES
Research links social support to better immunity, heart health, and mood and a longer life span. In Italy or Greece, family meals are central to the day—they can be enjoyed for hours—and lunchtime is a formal break in the middle of the day (no desk salads here). In your own routine, create more time for connection during mealtimes.
5. SWAP OUT SWEETS
Sugar is minimal in the Mediterranean diet—it can trigger skin inflammation and lead to heart disease. To satisfy cravings, reach for fruit instead. Fresh fruit juice is also a healthy swap but it’s caloric so keep the portions small. Salute!
