Thursday, April 7, 2016

A European Lunch is Relaxation

After spending time being Ft. Worth Sister Cities' Team USA physician for the recent Tricolore Games at Regio Emelia in Italy, I learned a bit about Italian culture that really is therapeutic.

All the stores close for 2-3 hours for lunch.  No shopping, no stress.  Just sit in the sun, drink a wine, and feel the breeze.  That is what I call living.  Enjoying the minutae of experience.  Rewarding yourself with quiet time.

Savoring food with each bite, and memorizing each sip of wine, watching people go by--all brings the body down to earth.  Stress hormones decrease.  The heart is happy.  Inevitably, the stomach becomes happy.

A happy gut, and a happy heart make a happy mind.  A mind that is relaxed can then focus better.  A happy mind can change the body.  It is amazing what the mind can do for the body.  But right now, I am just going to sit on the porch at my house on top of the hill with a great view, and enjoy an Italian Cabernet.

No comments:

Post a Comment