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The Key to Happiness, According to the Portuguese
During this vacation, part of our team decided to spend a week in Portugal. You could follow our journey on our social media accounts and see how fascinating and exotic this country is. The Mediterranean climate, beautiful beaches, delicious food, nature, and the typical architecture of the local culture are undoubtedly something we recommend experiencing firsthand. However, what proved to be even more interesting were our observations of the Portuguese people, as we noticed they are much happier and more relaxed than Poles. This led us to wonder - why?
After all, Portugal is not a country where life is easier, as evidenced by its GDP, which is nearly three times lower than Poland's. High temperatures and hilly terrains shouldn't make daily life more comfortable either. The winding, often narrow roads and sidewalks, as well as a somewhat loose approach to traffic rules, don't point in that direction either. And yet, it is quite the opposite. Using our psychological knowledge and meticulous observation, we drew the following conclusions.
There's time for work, but above all, for life - with a big "L"
What does this mean? Portuguese people are no less hardworking than Poles, but they don't live for work, and they don't usually bring it home with them. With the end of the workday, the most important element of daily life begins - enjoying life's pleasures. Often, these are simple things because, as we heard from native Portuguese, their country has never been particularly wealthy. So they learned to find joy in simple things that we often overlook in our daily lives, considering them dull or not exciting enough. An example could be the kind of cult of delicious food (but not to be confused with fancy, photogenic dishes). The food is exceptionally simple, with little seasoning or special treatments. The most important thing is for it to be fresh and not lose its flavor among too many additives. For instance, you can have fried sardines with potatoes, which won't cost much, but their taste will almost always be perfect. During meals, they practice the principle of popular mindfulness - eating fully focused on the experience, and there is no world beyond the meal. For a moment, they immerse themselves in the pure pleasure of eating ordinary (though exotic to us), simple, and delicious things, and it never crosses their minds to take a photo and post it on social media.
Social relationships are paramount
A native Portuguese knows that loved ones are the greatest treasure. Calling friends and family several times a day or going out together for a meal, to the beach, or for a walk, is as natural as breathing. Nurturing relationships with loved ones and making sure that each of them feels special, important, and irreplaceable is an everyday norm in Portugal. Observing happy people spending time on ordinary interactions has a magical quality that is hard to describe. Researchers have long emphasized the importance of maintaining healthy relationships with loved ones for human happiness and well-being, and Portugal is a country where we can witness this undeniable truth firsthand.
Outdoor activity
After working hours, the streets, restaurants, beaches, parks, and forests are filled with people. Despite the large number of tourists, locals still make up the majority. We haven't encountered anyone who would say that an evening in front of the TV is a better alternative than going out with friends to play football or take a swim in the ocean. During a typical beach day, there is no talk about work or the hardships of daily life. The full focus is on the beauty surrounding them and the activity they are currently engaged in with loved ones. This is another great example of mindfulness in practice, but they don't use fancy words for it; it's just a way of life.
Healthy food
We all know how important a healthy diet is for our well-being. During our stay in Portugal, we didn't notice long queues at fast-food restaurants. Most native Portuguese prefer to have fish, octopus, or other incredibly delicious and healthy seafood. Of course, they also have a great love for meat, which is prepared in a simple, tasty, and healthy manner, usually with the addition of olive oil, lemon, and garlic. As nothing should go to waste, both out of respect for food and financial reasons, the diet is very diverse, and their ideas for utilizing things we would consider waste are extraordinary and also incredibly tasty.
Exposure to sunlight
It's not news that sunlight allows the human body to produce vitamin D3, which research has shown to be essential for our health and well-being. In Portugal, it's almost always sunny, and people don't avoid it; instead, they delight in spending time outdoors under the sun's rays. Of course, it's essential to be cautious and take care of our skin when UV radiation is strong.
Passion for passions
Regardless of whether someone is a fan of motorsports, soccer, surfing, cooking, or anything else - hobbies play a crucial role in life. Devoting oneself fully to a passion after work or combining all the previous points and pursuing these hobbies with loved ones creates a situation where, after an hour of talking to someone about their hobby, you could write a short book and feel the contagious excitement so strongly that you'll want to delve into that particular topic yourself.
Openness and a positive attitude towards all
During our week in Portugal, we didn't meet anyone who was hostile, aggressive, or unwilling to help and smile. Despite the sometimes chaotic traffic, unusual parking in the middle of the road, or other things difficult for us to comprehend, no one showed "road rage." No one refused to help others or smile and say kind words, even when they were exhausted after a long day of work. Exceptions certainly exist, but more often than not, they were tourists or people not native to Portugal.
Conclusion
We didn't expect such wonderful experiences when planning our trip. Some of us were even uncertain about traveling to Portugal, preferring other destinations. However, none of us regretted this decision. Portugal shows us how important the basics of human life are and how little material possessions or professional success matter when we don't know how to enjoy everyday life and the world around us. We noticed a vast gap in experiencing happiness and quality of life when comparing it to other, more modern countries. Something that many have forgotten amidst the pursuit of more and more "carrots" often needs to be learned anew. This is why some psychologists may be accused of teaching the obvious. However, it's worth considering if this is precisely what we need to relearn. The greatness of life, joy, and health lie in simplicity, which is often overlooked. So, let's take a moment and think about whether we are heading in the right direction towards happiness and what it truly means to us.