SPANISH LIFESTYLE HABITS !!!!!!!!!!
Those of us who live here, know it to be true: The Spanish have it sussed when it comes to living well.
So here’s a list of the typical habits you should adopt from the Spanish.
Grow your own vegetables
Spain is all about seasonal fruit and veg and with such a great climate – as long as you have an irrigation system in place – growing your own is a fantastic way to save money and eat well.
Shop at the market
For those who don’t have the time or space to grow their own, fret not. You can still enjoy the best seasonal produce Spain has to offer by shopping at your local market.
follow in the footsteps of the neighbourhood ‘abuelas’ and visit the local market to buy your fresh produce.
Meat and fish are often locally sourced and come with valuable advice from vendors on how best to cook them
Adopt a pueblo
Every Spanish city dweller has their pueblo – the land of their ancestors and quite possibly a ramshackle property once belonging to their grandparents that is filled with dark furniture and religious icons.
Spaniards are full of pride for their pueblo, which is always famous for something – the best tortilla, morcilla or leafy green vegetable – and want to invite foreign friends to visit to discover for themselves why it is the most beautiful spot in Spain if not the world.
Large Family Group Enjoying Meal On Terrace Together
Enjoy long leisurely lunches
But it is during weekends and holidays that the Spanish art of lunching really comes into its own.
It starts when you meet friends for an aperitivo – a vermut or sherry accompanied by some fresh green olives – and continues for much of the afternoon. Three hours later it is not uncommon to be still seated at the table enjoying a sobremesab – the word describing the postprandial chat with your family members, friends or work colleagues.
Take a siesta
Multiple scientific studies in recent years have proven that a short sleep after lunch provides health benefits, including stress reduction, and improves alertness and memory.
Book off the whole month of August
August is the month to enjoy family and old friends, to let loose at local fiestas, and most importantly to escape the stifling heat of the city and head to cooler climes.
Drink sensibly
Although Spain is full of bars and drinking alcohol is very much part of everyday culture, there isn’t the same culture of binge drinking that exists in northern European countries. Tapas is considered an accompaniment to drinking
The Spanish night out involves touring a number of different venues over the course of an evening, it’s all about the socializing rather than the alcohol consumption.
Learn not to be in a rush
Life will be much easier if you just go with the flow of Spanish life, take a deep breath and relax.