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“No cash, not style, no girl, no smile? Don’t worry, be happy.” Especially if you live in Spain!

Vocabulary. Read and check you understand this before you read and listen to the article:

lashings: a lot of food or drink

sussed: that they know about something, figure it out

carted off: to carry or to remove

cherished: to love, protect and care for someone

morsels: a small piece or amount of food, a mouthful

outdoors: in the open air, typically far from towns and cities

plenty: a large or sufficient amount

Here are 9 reasons why life is good if you live in Spain:

The diet

Research has shown that specific nutrients – such as Omega 3, found in oily fish – can contribute to making you happier. Lucky then, that the Mediterranean diet is full of just that food, as well as healthy fruit and vegetables and lashings of heart-healthy olive oil.

The weather

We’ve all heard of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – the condition that makes people feel more depressed during the winter months that are full of rainy days and early, dark nights. But luckily, in much of Spain, the sun keeps shining throughout the winter months, meaning you will get your daily dose of vitamin D.

The mentality

Some of the best self-help gurus say that one of the keys to happiness is not fame, money and power, but instead being grateful for what you have. Spaniards have this pretty much sussed – they appreciate the small things and are great at living in the moment, enjoying simple pleasures like a morning coffee or a long lunch with friends.

Family

Devoting time to family is one of the keys to happiness according to many psychologists, and Spaniards do this without even thinking. Spain is a sociable society, one in which grandparents are rarely carted off to an old people’s home, but become the cherished head of the family, often living and socializing with their younger relatives.

The food

Four of the top ten restaurants in Europe are Spanish and Spaniards, whatever their budget, adore food and the ritual that surrounds it.  You don’t have to fork out a fortune to eat like a king in Spain, where fresh produce is bountiful and the most amazing food invention (tapas!) means you can try multiple morsels in one evening.

Culture

“The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.” So said Picasso, and Spaniards couldn’t agree more. Spain is home to one of the richest art heritages in the world, as well as some of the most impressive architecture.

Exercise

Spain is a great place to get back to nature and enjoy the outdoors. The weather is great, so Spain is the perfect place for jogging, cycling or just taking a stroll. And with such a huge coastline, there is plenty in the way of water sports to enjoy. And for the risk-takers out there, it is also home to some incredible extreme sports.

Get outside

Spaniards are not generally ones to hibernate through the winter, the good weather means that even in the colder months, most Spaniards prefer to be outside socializing than cooped up indoors.

Partying (i.e. fiestas)

Well, need I say more?

“Let’s chat about that!”

Write your answers and send them by email to your ECP coach. Why not record your voice too? Listen to yourself speak and identify what you have to improve on 🙂

Give reasons for your answers.

• What makes you happy? And sad?
• What could you do to be happier?
• Tell a story about a time you have recently felt very happy.
• What is the key to happiness?
• How do you feel now after reading the article and reflecting on you own happiness?

Adapted from: https://www.thelocal.es/20170116/eleven-spanish-reasons-to-be-happy