There is a huge amount of talk about living a healthy lifestyle at the moment. France is no exception and the French seem to have a good idea of how to live a happy, healthy life.
You could do worse than look at the French way of living. Somehow, it seems that most French folks know how to enjoy themselves, certainly like a glass of wine or two and yet remain healthy, active and happy. How do they do it? Here are a few interesting thoughts about life in France which may help you stick to your healthy New Year resolutions!
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A couple enjoying a walk in the French countryside
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Learn from the French
The French have sometimes been thought to err on the side of being hypochondriacs! Whether this is true or not, they do tend to take care of themselves and generally seem to know how to take it easy and relax and switch off. Of course, the French have longer holidays than the British, often with up to 5 weeks a year, plus their working week is shorter and they have more public holidays too.
Although the French love their food and mealtimes are sacred, they know when to stop when they have had enough. Generally, mealtimes are an occasion rather than a quick bite, so they eat more slowly and have smaller portions. All of these things add up to make you healthier in the long run.
It’s perhaps more of a tradition in France to shop at local markets too. Eating well is something the older generation has taught the younger.
The French attitude to ageing seems healthier too, possibly because the French as a nation are very family-orientated. The generations mix well and the young are taught to respect their older relations and neighbours.
E-Bikes in Paris, September 2022 I Flydragon via Shutterstock
How to live a healthy life in France
It is very common to take up a new sport or hobby well into one’s 50s and 60s in France. France is a huge country with vast swathes of unspoilt countryside so maybe it is no surprise that one of the country’s favourite sports is cycling. One frequently sees elderly folk enjoying a day out on their bikes. Ok maybe some are E-bikes but if that gets you out in the fresh air, why not? Many towns in France now have bike paths and you will easily find biking trails in the countryside. With all that space, outdoor sports thrive in France and age is no barrier, it seems!
There is far less of a stigma about getting older in France and less of a gulf between the generations.
Friends stretching outdoors
Incentives to keep fit
Most towns and villages in France offer their version of incentives to get people moving and out in the fresh air at this time of the year. The lovely village of Azille in the Minervois region of Occitanie has a sponsored series of “fun runs” that anyone can join. Program – TraZille You can choose how far you want to run and how often. The event has proved so popular that it has expanded over the years and is now something which you can do at any time of the year. Doubtless, every region will have similar programmes. Your local mairie will be the place to find out more.
Another area where France seems to be ahead of the game on healthy lifestyles is the attitude to smoking. President Macron is set to ban smoking on France’s beaches, some parks and public open spaces. There is a campaign going on to support this and to go further to oust smoking entirely in the country by 2032. This is an interesting one since France was once considered a nation whose identity was in some ways defined overseas by smoking. When the smoking ban in indoor public places came into force in 2007, there were some fervent objections to this. Yet, a few years on, France has largely become an excellent example of how to live a healthy life.
French markets are a great place to find fresh, local produce that will contribute towards a balanced diet
Staying fit and healthy is something the French largely seem to take in their stride. Although there are plenty of gyms and classes to go to wherever you are in France, the secret to it all does seem to be that you don’t need to make staying healthy seem like an uphill task. Rather, it is a case of keeping everything in moderation as well as keeping moving.
To summarise, and to give encouragement to everyone at this festive time of the year, here are the main pointers to staying fit and healthy which the French seem to have adopted effortlessly:
- Moderation in all things: eat and drink what you like but know when to stop
- Exercise outdoors where possible and don’t push yourself: it should be a pleasure, not a hard task
- Keep active generally
- Don’t think about how old you are: keep moving as much as you can
- Spend time with family and friends
- Laugh: it’s good for you!
So whatever your New Year’s resolution is, take everything in your stride and take a leaf out of your French neighbour’s book!
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