As I sat on an old bench in a stunning park in Milano overlooking the ancient Sforzesco Castle, I couldn’t help but notice some common patterns with the locals and their approach to mental health and overall well being.
- Many were in good physical shape
- They looked content
- They were engaged in deep conversations with one another
- They were very willing to help with directions (or anything for that matter) with tourists
- They laughed loudly
Just to name a few.
You see, I had lived in Italy 17 years ago so I had already had a good grasp on the culture (and even got quite good at the hand gestures). This time around I couldn’t help but make comparisons with much of the developed western world, specifically in regards to mental health.
Here were just a few of my findings in relation to our approach to mental health
The freedom to be
Here in Italy, people allow their uniqueness to shine through. They also allow themselves to feel and express whatever emotion they are currently feeling in that moment rather than suppressing it. Sometimes as we go about our lives we tend to unconsciously find that we are falling in line with the next person.
Our authenticity gets diminished as our fear of displeasing others and stepping out of line increases. We are not given this life to please and be liked by the next person, but rather to inspire and uplift others to live an authentic and fulfilling life. This approach leads us to giving back, a life of service, and true and lasting joy daily.
Food quality in our approach to mental health
In North America for example, foods and wine often differ significantly from those in Italy, particularly in terms of the ingredients and health implications.
North American cuisine frequently includes highly processed foods laden with added sugars, unhealthy fats, and artificial additives, contributing to widespread obesity. Fast food culture and large portion sizes exacerbate the problem, promoting excessive calorie intake.
In contrast, Italian cuisine emphasizes fresh, whole foods like vegetables, fruits, legumes, and lean proteins, often accompanied by moderate portions of wine. Traditional Italian diets, such as the Mediterranean diet, are rich in healthy fats from olive oil and include limited processed foods, which helps maintain lower obesity rates compared to North America.
Stress is not normalized over here
In the Western world, particularly in North America, stress has become a chronic, normalized part of daily life. The fast-paced lifestyle, high-pressure work environments, and constant connectivity via digital devices contribute to a relentless stress culture.
People often view stress as an unavoidable consequence of ambition and success, leading to widespread issues like anxiety disorders, burnout and nervous system dysregulation, and other health problems.
In contrast, from what I’ve gathered here, Italy tends to embrace a more free-flowing, easy-going approach to life.
The Italian lifestyle prioritizes balance, social connections, and relaxation. Practices like the extended midday break (riposo), communal meals, and a general emphasis on savoring life’s moments help reduce stress levels.
This cultural focus on leisure and personal well-being fosters a healthier, more relaxed atmosphere, reducing the prevalence of chronic stress. As they say in Italy, ‘Dolce far niented’ (the art of doing nothing), I like it.
Uncertainty is embraced naturally
Italians tend to embrace uncertainty with a flexible, adaptable mindset, which contrasts sharply with the Western world’s often rigid need for certainty and perfectionism.
In Italy, there’s a cultural acceptance of life’s unpredictability, fostering an environment where spontaneity and improvisation are valued. This relaxed attitude permeates various aspects of life, from daily activities to creative personal pursuits, allowing for more fluid and organic development for the individual.
Italians are generally more comfortable with ambiguity, seeing it as an opportunity for innovation and creativity.
On the other hand, the Western world frequently prioritizes control, precision, and meticulous planning, often stifling creativity due to the pressure for perfection and fear of failure.
This was front and center for my own life dealing with anxiety disorders a few years back. I became a control freak and my analytical mind was from and center prior to, during, and after most of the events I had attended through the day.
Do I blame this cultural conditioning for my anxiety? Not fully, but it did play a major role in perpetuating irrational fear and generalized anxiety for me.
This desire for certainty can limit the potential for spontaneous and inventive solutions, highlighting a fundamental cultural difference in handling the unknown.
Cooperation over competition
From my personal reflections, Italians often emphasize cooperation and community, fostering a culture of collaboration and mutual support that stands in contrast to the competitive, individualistic mindset prevalent in much of the Western world.
You see, in Italy, social harmony and collective well-being are prioritized, with a strong focus on building relationships, sharing resources, and working together towards common goals. This cooperative spirit and approach to mental health is evident in various aspects of Italian life, from family dynamics and neighborhood interactions to business practices and civic engagement.
Conversely, Western cultures frequently prioritize competition and individual achievement, which can lead to social divisions and a focus on personal success over communal welfare.
This competitive ethos often manifests in workplaces, educational systems, and social interactions, where outperforming others is seen as a primary objective, sometimes at the expense of fostering unity and collaboration.
Conclusion:
I’ve learned a lot since being here in Italy, and continue to do so. This blog post wasn’t meant to put down western society but just bring to our attention some of the differences that cause unnecessary stress and anxiety in our lives. As we look deeper into the approach to mental health and some of these differences in cultures we can begin adopting some of the positive into our own lives. And no matter where we live we can make those crucial adjustments now to bring about inner peace and harmony.
Thanks of reading and please comment on your thoughts below, I’d love to hear from you.
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