Healthy Spanish food choices and other ways to improve your health

Simply changing some habits can help you enjoy a fuller and healthier life in Spain. Some simple changes, like correcting your posture, changing your diet to include healthy Spanish food choices, cultivating your intellect or keeping your stress level in check can have a major impact on your health.

1. Take care of your body

Early detection and prevention of disease are the two basic pillars of good health. Besides a healthy lifestyle, vaccination is essential to prevention. Remember, getting a physical is the best investment you can make in your health. Discover our guide to getting a general health checkup. 

2. Good posture

Backache is one of the most common ailments and one of the easiest to prevent. Exercises that improve dexterity such as Pilates or yoga and activities that build abdominal and lower back muscle such as swimming or weights are great ways to prevent back problems.

Remember to be mindful of your posture at work and do at least 30 minutes of exercise a day: you’ll ward of back pain and feel better.

3. Include Healthy Spanish food choices in your diet

In addition to diet, people who want to live a healthy lifestyle should increase the amount of physical exercise they do. Eat five meals a day, including a healthy breakfast composed of dairy, fruit and whole grain cereal, and a light dinner. Consider following the Mediterranean Diet! But that’s not enough to stay healthy:  getting in shape helps to reduce cardiovascular risk factors and relieves stress.

Remember, exercise regularly and set reachable goals for yourself. You’ll feel better.

4. Get 7-8 hours of sleep, when you can

We can’t survive without sleep. In fact, the length (7-8 hours) and quality of sleep are both fundamental aspects of good health.

Remember, not getting enough sleep or the right kind of sleep increases the risk of certain diseases and impacts quality of life. Good sleep is good health!

5. Stay sharp

It’s confirmed: people who exercise their brains active are better protected against cognitive impairment and that in turn translates into the prevention of diseases like Alzheimer’s or dementia.

Remember: socialize, play a sport, read books and newspapers, enjoy music and art, learn to play an instrument or study a new language, do crossword puzzles…

6. Drink plenty of water!

Water is critical to the human body. It helps us replenish the water lost through urine, sweat and saliva and is the basic element of one of the best all-around exercises we can do, one that works all our muscles, ligaments and tendons: swimming.

Remember, never wait until you’re thirsty to drink water (2 litres per day on average) and try to swim at least once a week: your body will thank you for it.

7. Count to 3 and take a deep breath

Although the most well-known risk factors (tobacco, cholesterol, high blood pressure) play an important role, it has been shown that psychological factors also contribute to the development of numerous cardiovascular diseases including stroke, chest pain and heart attack.

Remember, reduce stimulants and enjoy relaxing activities (music, breathing, gentle exercises like Thai chi or yoga; stress-free living is the secret to a long and plentiful life).

It's also very important to have a good health insurance in order to look after and maintain your health. Discover our guide to healthcare options in Spain: