A new survey reveals that single people are better at self-care than those in a relationship or married. Seven in 10 Americans were more conscious of needing self-care in 2020, and 69 plan to do more in 2021 than the previous year. Eating healthy food, getting enough sleep, and being active are foundations of good self-care, according to Vaile Wright, PhD, APA’s senior director of health care innovation.
A majority say they are focused on their mental health now more than ever, with nearly half of Americans saying they wish they had more guidance and support. Relaxation is the number one motivator for many, followed by mood boost, reduced stress, lowered anxiety, and increased happiness. In the summer of 2021, over 75 percent of United States consumers surveyed feel that wellness is more important than ever, with 50% planning to practice self-care.
The survey revealed that nearly a third of US consumers engage in self-care activities every day, with a substantial portion practicing self-care at least once a week. Americans are spending an average of $83 per month on self-care, but the cost can be high. 46 of participants actively prioritize preventive healthcare by scheduling regular checkups. 36 of those surveyed are making it a top or high priority to practice self-care every day, like staying hydrated and having a healthy lifestyle.
A new survey reveals that women in the US are focused on their self-care, with health inequity being a widespread issue. On average, Americans spend about $90 a month on self-care, and many Americans prioritize their well-being, actively seeking relaxation and balance in their lives.
📹 Why you should prioritize time for self-care l GMA
Alisha Ramos, the founder of the Girl’s Night In, discusses how small commitments to taking care of your self on a daily basis can …
How big is the personal care market in us?
The US personal care products market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6. 1 from 2024 to 2030, driven by the aging population and increasing awareness of potential health risks associated with cosmetics. The market size was valued at USD 73. 17 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6. 1 from 2024 to 2030. The growing prevalence of skin conditions like acne and eczema is driving demand for personal care products. Rising personal care influencers on social media, beauty specialist retailers, and dermatologists are introducing new products for these conditions.
Consumers are also shifting towards organic and chemical-free products and demanding natural ingredients. Social media’s influence is increasing, creating demand for these products. The number of people spending on personal care products has also increased in recent years, and celebrities worldwide are launching personal care brands to attract followers.
Can too much self-care be bad?
Self-care is essential for personal well-being, but it should not be pursued at all costs, as it can lead to unfavorable long-term choices. Disregarding responsibilities or making expensive purchases can cause stress and further problems. The idea that self-care will cure all problems is a dangerous fallacy that ignores external systems causing poor mental health. Instead of focusing on how society, government, and medical systems should help, self-care leaves the responsibility for change on the individual. This emphasizes that one is responsible for their own mental health and that struggling is not due to external factors, but rather the individual’s context and society.
What percent of people practice self-care?
Despite the importance of self-care, 1 in 4 Americans feel guilty about it. Men feel less guilt than women. A third of Americans make time for self-care every week, with 40 doing something daily, 41 weekly, and over 10 monthly. On average, Americans dedicate 16 hours a month to self-care. These routines are particularly helpful in combating stress, which is a daily challenge for many. However, over 3 in 4 Americans wish they had more time for self-care and pampering, with 1 in 3 believing it should be done daily.
What percentage of Americans are healthy?
A study published in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings revealed that only 2. 7% of American adults exhibited four fundamental healthy lifestyle characteristics: sufficient physical activity, a healthy diet, non-smoking, and a body fat percentage within the recommended range. These characteristics have a beneficial impact on overall health.
What percentage of people are self-care?
A survey shows that 32% of US consumers engage in daily self-care activities, with 43% practicing at least once a week. Spending time with family and friends is the most popular choice, followed by reading, eating healthily, getting regular exercise, and walking in nature. Shopping, while offering potential stress relief or mood-boosting, falls behind traditional self-care practices. Overall, a focus on maintaining health and social connections is evident in these practices.
Is self-care just a trend?
Self-care can be defined as a continuous process of self-reflection and self-investment, with the ultimate goal of becoming the best version of oneself. It is crucial to engage in introspective reflection regarding one’s personal approach to self-care, as it is a lifelong commitment that should not be regarded as a mere transient phenomenon.
How much does the average American spend on self-care?
A recent survey conducted by Eventbrite and OnePoll revealed that the average American allocates approximately $2, 388 annually towards non-essential purchases, suggesting a notable emphasis on self-care among the American population.
How big is the self-care industry?
The global self-care industry is predicted to reach a value of $64. 7 billion by 2027, with the US market already at $10. 6 billion in 2020. With 72 of millennials prioritizing self-care practices, the self-care industry is becoming a necessity in today’s world. The self-care beauty industry is forecasted to generate revenue of $140 billion by 2025, while the self-care market in China is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12. 7 from 2020 to 2027. The global organic personal care market is projected to reach $25. 1 billion by 2025, and the global dietary supplements market is expected to reach $179. 8 billion by 2027.
The self-care industry’s growth indicates that consumers are willing to invest in themselves more than ever before, with numbers that rival the GDP of some small countries. The market is thriving as individuals prioritize their well-being, with facial serums and dietary supplements being a popular choice. As the self-care industry continues to grow, it is essential to remember that self-care is not just a trend but an investment in one’s well-being.
Do Americans take good care of themselves?
The majority of Americans aged 55+ are aware of the need for self-care, with a high level of commitment to self-care at 29. However, they are also the most likely to be unfamiliar with the concept of self-care at 25. This suggests that they have higher-than-average well-being compared to their peers.
Friends/family, food, and rest are essential for maintaining mental and emotional health. Sleeping is the most common form of self-care among Gen Pop and all generations, but the 55+ population is less likely to use these choices. Visiting family and friends is the second most common choice for self-care, as they are likely to be empty nesters.
For mental preservation, Americans aged 55+ primarily turn to entertainment, such as watching TV/movies and reading, followed by listening to music and exercise. However, they are less likely to engage in shopping, hobbies, and yoga. Overall, self-care is a crucial aspect of maintaining mental and emotional health among the 55+ population.
What are the 7 pillars of self-care?
Self-care is crucial during the holiday season, and can be practiced through various methods such as exercise, eating well, meditation, and therapy. These practices fit into the seven pillars: mental, emotional, physical, environmental, spiritual, recreational, and social. A well-balanced routine should include each pillar, avoiding limiting oneself to just one or two.
Mental self-care involves cultivating a healthy mindset through mindfulness and curiosity, such as journaling, meditation, and taking breaks from screen time. Emotional self-care involves developing healthy coping strategies for daily stress, such as watching movies, listening to music, writing positive affirmations, seeking help when needed, and setting boundaries to protect oneself and one’s heart.
How much do Americans spend on personal care?
In 2022, the average annual expenditure on personal care services per consumer unit in the United States was around 420 U. S. dollars, a 35-percent increase from 2021. A consumer unit can be defined as all members of a household related by blood, marriage, adoption, or other legal arrangements, a person living alone or sharing a household with others, or two or more persons living together who use their incomes to make joint expenditure decisions.
Financial independence is determined by spending behavior in the three major expense categories: housing, food, and other living expenses. To be considered financially independent, the respondent must provide at least two of the three major expenditure categories. Data is diary-based and figures prior to 2022 are taken from previous publications.
📹 Why are Dutch people healthier? 10 years of observations from a Dutch American
You can use the link piquelife.com/selfcare to get up to 15% off Pique (plus a free cup and frother) when you subscribe! Thank you …
I did a charity bike ride from Brighton, England to Amsterdam a few years ago. As to be expected, it was a joyless nightmare cycling in England – so many aggressive motorists. Sadly, France wasn’t that much better, but Belgium was a wonderful place to cycle through. As soon as we got into the Netherlands – wow, it was like a utopia. Pretty much everyone I saw was radiating health. People from 3 to 93 were on bikes. Motorists stopped for us, and didn’t hurl abuse. It honestly was the most wonderful experience, and made my return to the UK an unwanted one. The Dutch should hold their way of life close to their hearts (healthy hearts!) and never relent to the junk and car culture of the US and UK.
One more thing. People in the Netherlands like to be outside. We don’t sit in our homes. Even if it’s cold and wet and the wind blows, people go out. Somebody else wrote about the saying ‘you’re not made of sugar’. That’s what my mom said to get us out of the warm kitchen. I believe that being outside in all circumstances makes you strong and hard.
The Dutch are known for their health due to cycling, but the trend of electric bikes is undermining this tradition, leading to increased laziness. Nowadays, teenagers yearn for electric scooters and subsequently electric bikes. During my school days, my friends and I had to bike for 30 to 40 minutes each morning to get to school and then back home. After school, we would ride our bikes to the park to play soccer, swim, or, in the winter, go ice skating or walk on thin ice for the thrill. We were always active! However, today’s kids zip past you on the sidewalks with those scooters, barely walking or cycling anywhere. ! When this new generation grows up, they may not be as active as any generation before them.A positive trend is that smoking is becoming increasingly difficult and costly each year as the number of locations permitted to sell tobacco diminishes.
I am Dutch, and I also lived and worked for a few years in Norway. It was in Norway that I discovered hiking and walking in nature. Going out there, walking longer and shorter distances, the quiet and the discovery, getting to that mountain top. Now I am back in the Netherlands and I continue hiking. There is no real raw nature here, nor mountains, but there are lots of beautiful urban areas, parks, dunes, hills and small nature preserves that provide near infinite opportunities. I find it nourishes both my body and my soul.
About the kale mashed with potato’s, these are part of a cooking branch called “stamppotten” (literaly mashed pot). It is very practical food, which mostly people could also grow in their own gardens (when having your own vegetable patch was quite normal, this was until the late 80s). Next to practical, the tastes are very basic, yes, but that also means that often it’s not that offensive for children. Also because you have a plate of hot/warm mess, it really warms up the body in the winter.
Americans seem (and are often) friendlier (forget big cities) during a first connection. However, to allow a deeper investment in friends in the US seems hard. Why so? Dutch though are rather direct (NYC style) up to a level that many feel rude (except New Yorkers – they understand, started out as New Amsterdam!). Ok, that is a first interaction. Dutch also have to work hard – but also on home cooking, cleaning, kids-time, sports – a Dutch agenda fits work into life but still busy. An American agenda fits life into work …. how is that? Good night! 😉
As a Brit expat living in Rotterdam I would agree with everything Robin so expertly describes – with one caveat – the Dutch are getting less healthy.- and that is because of the infestation of American fast food places and the availabilty of food all day. Hard to believe that when I first moved to Rotterdam in 1991 the shops were all closed on Sundays ! And obesity was correspondingly rare.
Food quality in the Netherlands is also a huge factor. The EU in general is so strict with chemicals, colourings and all other processing ingredients in foods. They’re usually very normal in the US and other Americanised-societies. That and a lot of the produce here actually come from closer areas so that means foods are fresher and retain their nutritional value etc etc. It’s so normal to see Dutchies eating their lunch while walking around the city during lunchtime 🤭 Was happy to have found your website BUT felt heartbroken that you’re now back in the US ;-;
Great article, but one tiny remark: in the part on the importance of social relationships you, very understandably/inevitably, use stock images. However, they, equally inevitably, are typically made from an American viewpoint. We see people euphoric, emotional peak moments, exalted, excited, where general it’s just the more subdued being together that forms these social bonds and ties. The images shape our expectations about what being together should be, intense celebrations of explicit and condensed euphoria. A friend of mine told me once he went to a party, where everyone showed up at about the same time, then shot picture of euphoric Togetherness, to return home within less than an hour, and he then saw all these pictures showing them having a good time. To him it felt rather fabricated. Here we see the effect of social media, creating an event, togetherness as an achievement. The essence of social relationships is not raising the glasses, not the hugging, not the exalted laughter. all this excitement wears the brain out and results in depression. It’s the more enduring, but less photogenic feeling of belonging. But these stock images suggest otherwise. Again, detailed remark.
Interesting! The “sleeping in too much = lazy” social pressure in the USA reminded me of a article I saw where a US lady had a theory of why the French are so slim. She said the French WILL put plenty of social pressure if start to get a bit chubby. She said she never got it at all in “fat friendly” USA. But in France, people constantly pointed out she was a little over weight and “do you really need to eat that, best watch your weight” – was said to her a lot from different people in her circles while she lived there. I found that very interesting! So in the US – they do not like people lying in and can shame them. And they are fine with people being fat, no shame there. No wonder unhealthy. Also look at all the addictive food additives etc in US food that is banned in Europe. EDIT – just saw your point 7- where you make exactly the same point. I feel here in the UK we are more like the US these days.
As a Swede it was very interesting to watch this article, we share many similiarities with the dutch way of living. But perhaps not so much the directness in communication, quite the opposite. And biking everywhere is not the norm even though it’s something to strive for. There are a lot of things that makes sense when taking in to account what you described about the ways in the US. USA is still a young country. Perhaps wisdom comes with age.
These are such important observations, and likely more important than anything uploaded by a self-care/wellness/nutrition/fitness content creator this week. I know we throw around words like work-life balance and the dreadfulness of the rat race, but, by the numbers, Americans live in dysfunction. It is the dysfunction that we choose, however. The depleted state our bodies are in, the strife we accept as normal in our encounters with others, the constant medicating of our discontent. How much healthier we would be to live in harmony, in home, at work, and in the broader community.
It’s probably my age, but I don’t need that much sleep. If Ingo to sleep fasted (blood sugar down to fasted — not eating carbs after 5pm or if I do it is because I eat it after training workout) I have wonderful sleeps. I only feel guilty waking up early because people tell you need right hours sleep.
to be honest, the average resident of the usa does little to move more, they think it is fine but complain that they have to drive far to do their shopping. And that is the problem of the architects who design the infrastructure there, ”if it can be reached by car it is fine” but do not think about pedestrians, cyclists, other types of neighborhoods with a shopping center in the middle as you know yourself after 10 years in the netherlands, and even playgrounds have to go or are completely removed from what I see in all those articles. Notjustbikes has very nice reports about how bad it is in america (and canada)
Health differences between US Americans and Western Europeans (EU population) largely has to do with regulations. In the EU, the population is much more kept from chronic intoxication because the food & cookware contain much less harmful preservatives or chemicals. The EU population ages better and healthier, without anything particular about the Netherlands.
Elephant in the room when comparing the two countries would be the utterly insane infant/childhood vaccination schedule in the US. As far as social context goes, Americans are not a people (so you can indeed “be what you want to be” which sounds great, until in real life it’s not) while the Dutch still are to a large extent. On the interpersonal level & to be quite honest, I see zero pluses in American superficiality re: social relations. All very utilitarian or so it seems. Then there’s this obsession with the “science” of simple, day to day life. Do people really need articles to remind them of the inherent value of company? Seems pretty self-evident tbh. The counting of one’s steps/day seems to be another typically American thing. Why quantify all of these things, turn them into “targets”? Really boggles the mind. Then with the sleep thing, the “science” strikes again. How did people in the past manage to breathe w/o peer reviewed articles to point out the health benefits of it all? Think you get the point 😉 /Dutch directness rant (and we’re only halfway through).
Ha, I didn’t know you were Dutch American! I also have a Dutch mom and an American dad and also moved to Europe almost 10 years ago in my early 20s o_O Unfortunately I haven’t been able to spend much time in the Netherlands despite living close… but I’ve observed similar things in Germany and France, especially #3 of course (movement is inevitable), but also many difference between the Dutch/Germans and the French, who definitely NOT the type to think of food as just a fuel source.
One must not forget that all food in the USA is known to be genetically modified and contains chemicals and other harmful ingredients that are completely banned in Europe. The negative thing is that Americans are forced to buy this food. The high proportion of fast food also contributes to this. Many diseases and obesity in the USA are the result. Cycling here is not only about doing something for the environment, but also about exercising your body.
Dutchy here. I developed back problems that aren’t fixable. So I’m in bed a lot. I grew fat. Blood pressure ridiculously high. Yet I changed my diet up to the point I mainly consumed water, meat, beans, 1 average potato and a bit of gravy. Some different veggies and fruit too. Weight stabilized. Blood pressure did F all. Yeah, going up instead of down. 227 over 119 is the highest I ever measured. Anyway, I’ve always lived around farms and polders, rivers, long stretches of water and land so I used to move a lot, on top of being a busy bee and doing fitness or martial arts too. But of course that all is a no go now. So I got an elliptical trainer. Every hour I get in it for a few minutes, quite intensively, if even only 4 minutes per time I go. Mostly around ten though. Since I started doing that, in combination with my diet, my weight has started to plummet and my blood pressure is going down accordingly. So having had this experience while being healthy except for my back issues, I’m going to have to stress the importance of even tiny bits of exercise in combo with diet. Good sleep is next on my list. Which likely will have to do with sleep apnea since I grew fat, so that should start to improve also over the next few months. But yes, those all are included normally in the Dutch way of life, if you’re not bed-ridden. Is that a word? So it makes sense those factors are the main reasons we’re quite healthy on average.
depends where you go,part of my family look healthy yet the other part are all abit fat,i think the dutch are among the healthier of europe but i wouldnt say they are a bill of health. even if you look good and not fat that doesnt mean youre body is in good health,youre artiries can stil be wel on there way to clogging up,causing stroke heart attacks and high bloodpreshure. what you eat is important not just if you look good,but ya i think the dutch are among the best examples of health in europe.
Thank you for making this article that shines light on our Dutch culture compared to the USA. I have a question for you more related to you being halfbloed Dutch and halfbloed American (half weed and half hamburger as we prefer to call it), but I was wondering about which language of the two you’ve been raised with (Dutch and English) you would say is your main language and why?
Congratulations for your wedding.!🎉 I agree with you 100%! I am a Portuguese living in the USA and see the same differences, the biggest one in the social interactions, unfortunately I feel somewhat isolated and feel it’s very hard to find deep friendships like I still have back home! I work for a large grocery store chain and we are encouraged to keep employee interaction at a minimum, we watch sexual harassment training articles and are more than encouraged to basically just interact if the subject is work related which to me is very strange being that I m not used to this!
Love all the comparisons you mentioned! Thanks for sharing, your article really made me think. I’m from NYC- born and raised. After traveling around the world and making it my mission to travel across the U.S. to see as MANY states as I could, I’ve learned that the U.S. is VAST. No, really. You don’t know until you travel across the U.S. SO many landscapes, cultures, subgroups of people with different values and beliefs. The U.S. is hard to describe in terms of culture– sure, there’s the way we are portrayed in media and most people see the U.S. that way and I won’t doubt that we embody capitalism above anything else– but traveling to so many different states in the U.S. from East to West, North and South I’ve realized we don’t really fit in a box. Like you mentioned, it is so nuanced. I guess that’s what happens when a country is built by Indigenous peoples, immigrants (and the institution of slavery!)
One thing that worked very well for me was starting Kung Fu training. I was born on the skinny side of life and by 18, I was 1m90 / 6’3″ and 73 kg / 160lb. by 25 I got up in weight a bit but still underweight compared to length. In my 30’s my weight raised to 84 kg / 185 which is still on the low side of good. When I started to train in Wing Chun kung fu, I went to the 105kg / 230lb my body wants to weigh. And most of the mass was muscles and organs, maybe a bit of bone density. Changed nothing else, didn’t eat more but gained what I could not gain ever before. That’s stable for eight years now. It brought me a better balance and more energy. Living more from my center, the “I am” and “I feel” took room away from the “I overthink” or too rational way of life.
Nice article. I’m a Yank, married to a Dutchman, living in NL for 40 years. Two facts you missed was that this tiny country is the world’s 2nd largest food exporter after America. So food is also regarded as an economic pillar. Dutch pigs, cucumbers, tomatoes, are world famous (reputation for taste is another issue) 2ndly, it is normal to talk about politics & controversial issues during social gatherings without it becoming a war zone. It’s healthy, creates a bigger sense of understanding friends point of view.
Im gonna be honest as a dutch american who spent 21 years in holland 10 of which in amsterdam, and now living in PA for 2 years. While dutch culture is definitely much better in the sense of healthy living with movement the dutch culture is slowly shifting to american with diet and consumerism. People are spending more time chronically online, the weather is so god damn depressing, and drug and alcohol culture is insane, i was a literal alcoholic and drug addict and people didnt seem to think it was bad. Living in the US there are bigger portions, more fastfood and car lifestyle but if you just stay healthy with exercise and diet for me personally i enjoy the US more
I was born and raised in Canada lived in the UK for 5 years, lived in few other countries for less time and lived in Holland for 15 years. Most of what you’ve stated I agree with, with one exception, I found the Dutch very closed. I have zero long term friends after 15 years living in Holland whereas even after being back in Canada for 10 years now I’m still in contact with my friends in other countries. I learned the language BTW.
I’ve been commuting to work using public transit for over a year and a half now. Mainly because it saves me an absolute ton money not needing to own a car but also because it’s so active. When I tell people about it, all they take away from it is how long it takes me. Walking is inherently slow and almost half of my commute time is walking. You can travel so far in a car in 10 minutes but not that far by foot. I can count my commute towards my daily exercise but someone who hops in their car can’t say the same. Recently I started biking part of my commute when the weather allows so that is also upping my daily activity level.
In general you nailed the differences. The only thing I don’t agree with is the Dutch way of commenting about somebody’s weight. You only do this when someone is your friend and you are concerned about them or they are complaining about their health. We (the Dutchies) are practical people so the logical way to response is ‘well, eat healthier, get some excercise, stop drinking. It is blunt but it’s coming from a place of love. I also think that it has to do with the way our health system works. We all pay health insurance with the idea that it is a basic human right to receive medical care. This also means that I (with a healthy lifestyle) pay the same as somebody with an unhealthy lifestyle. If more people are healty, the costs in general are less, so I profit when more people are healthy. In a way it’s a shared responsability. (Sorry for my bad English, it’s not my first language.)
Stores are closer so you can walk to them but Amsterdam isn’t like the rest of the Netherlands and it’s easier to take your car to do a big shop and we certainly don’t walk that much. Sleep is so different in the Netherlands that kids sleep way more than in all other countries. So they start out in life being less stressed and parents will make sure kids go to bed on time year round. The food may be fuel but it’s a misunderstanding to then assume it’s not tasty. Kalemash is one of my favorite foods and has been since I was a little kid and it’s not because my mom didn’t know how to cook with spices,she was Indo, I just loved dutch food too. And if you look at research the way we eat a ton of kale is the best way to eat it, cooked so all the nutrients are available, with fats and milk to bind to any of the less positive ones in kale, your potatoes for energy but on the whole it’s a dish that keeps you warm with slow release energy and is delicious. Bread too, it’s not just healthier than american bread, it tastes better, so that classic bread and cheese usually with butter on it is also tasty and we don’t need to make a hot meal for lunch to feel satisfied. You just grab some bread and you don’t need crisps on the side or 5 slices of an inferior cheese and ham, one is enough. Fries are sold by large portions and many people eat that to replace a meal, with deepfried snacks and mayo. We don’t worry about it, you’d probably not eat it on a diet but unlike McDonalds it keeps you full so it’s not so bad.
Leuke article ik ben trouwens ook een Nederlandse brood met kaas is zeker een traditionele lunch hhh leuk ik hoop dat je nog Nederlandse kan ik volg ook de the durch redneck op you tube een Nederlandse die met zijn Amerikaanse vriendin in Californië is gaan wonen hij maakt elke dag een vlog zeker leuk om te bekijken allright groetjes Marco
This is utter nonsense. You’ve obviously never spent time in working class neighbourhoods in the Netherlands such as Sterrenwijk and Ondiep in Utrecht, or Schilderswijk in Den Haag, to name just a few. Obesity in the Netherlands is actually a growing problem and it is related to income inequality. Poorer people tend to eat less healthy. It’s probably also a cultural thing. North Western European people as a whole eat less healthy than Greeks, Italians or Spaniards. The Mediterranean diet is considered to be the healthiest in the world.
I am Dutch and have lived in the USA for 14 years before returning to the Netherlands due to health reasons. I learned after my Gastric bypass the best thing to do in the States is to basically ask for a box before I get my meal, I grew up with the clean your plate syndrome, which led to the Gastric bypass in the first place. In the Netherlands we work to live rather than live to work, we enjoy time off, we take off when sick. Not keep going and making everyone sick around you. Our bread goes bad after about a week, unlike the US bread. As for the air quality, I don’t agree: I lived in North Carolina those 14 years and ended up in ER several times a year with uncontrollable asthma. I used to have my own nebulizer at home as well as inhalers. Since getting back to the Netherlands I have been to the ER once… in 14 years(!) I don’t have a nebulizer here and am able to do with inhalers. Yes, still have a respiratory infection at least once a year, but had more of them in NC. So while in NY the air quality may be better than in Amsterdam that’s not enough to state that the air quality in the Netherlands is worse than in the States in general. I love the States, it feels like home to me as well, I miss the country and beautiful landscape. The ocean as well, but with my health problems, it’s better for me to stay in the Netherlands to live as healthcare is more affordable for me.
Spot on. But in my case you preach to a non-believer. I don’t care about my body, really. If it dies, it dies. It will die anyway. I don’t want to let my mind be influenced by my body. Sure, I could live 10 years longer, maybe. But 10 years of more and more crappiness coming from your body is not worth it for me. Both my parents had a horrible last decade. My father lived healthy and got dementia. I don’t want that prolonged suffering between 80 and 90 years.
great vid. America is this beautiful country the land is breathtaking. but the the average ppl living there have no time for that, the ppl seem to live to work. that is much more different here in the EU, here we work of course but it is not our life, it just work, we work way less and spend much more time on important things, friends, family, or just time for ourselves. that is mental health and that ads to allround good health. the US nice country to visit, but living there, i would never want to live there. i have lived in Canada for 10 years, but there too, is work way to impotent for ppl.
I am German and we always saw the dutch food as sooo unehalthy. 🙂 French Fries. Poffertjes. White bread. Kip salad + more white bread. Funny to see a different point of view on this. Now I am living in Italy and I see how the German food is so much richer so much more processed and how in fact there are nearly no overweight people on the street in Italy.
another bonus of Dutch food simplicity is that it doesn’t require you to cook for 30 minutes to 2+ hours twice every day for both lunch and dinner that other cultures often prefer. We don’t have that time in our day-to-day life except on the weekends, and it makes for more dishwashing in the end because of all the pots and pans needed.
I think you might have misread the Air Quality indicator – I think the lower number is much better than a higher number? Eg. The reason it says Good for New York and Moderate in Amsterdam is because it’s comparing to other days in New York when it’s worse and others days in Amsterdam when its better? Right now the air pollution indicator tells me it is 2 where I live in Edinburgh in Scotland, and 53 where I used to live in Los Angeles. Let me know if I’m wrong,but I definitely feel like the air quality is better over here because of EU regulations. Ps. Congratulations on your wedding! 🤍
I liked everything you shared here, it seems like sensible, useful information. What I’d like to see in the future is no mic in front of your face, being passed from hand to hand, and really messing with the volume. Your volume would increase suddenly and dramatically, it was jarring. Also, the mic itself was a distraction. One minute it was covering half your face, then it would be in your right hand, then your left hand. I’ve NEVER seen a talking head hold their mic. It’s ALWAYS, 100% of the time, in a stand or on a lapel. Unless you are a rock star, or giving a speech without a podium, like a TEDTalk, you should have that mic in a stand. The article was still worth listening to, though!
My grandfather was Dutch and I remember him eating tomatoes as you described, just like an apple. He also used to put meat gravy on his pie. For example, at Thanksgiving he would put turkey gravy on a slice of pumpkin pie. My mom always said it was the Dutch in him. I’m curious. Have you ever seen this?
Congratulations! I think I might have felt it hard to leave and move back to the US. It might be easier to make that decision if one can leave again. I have just began WW and it really does try to instill moderation and movement without dictating exactly what to eat. Now if I could just stop the need for eating till Im comatose so I can get the sleep I need 😵💫
Born, raised and still living in the Netherlands, this one had me chuckle… You speak about ‘the Netherlands’ Robin, but all I saw were images of Amsterdam, did you ever make it beyond the city proper? This friendly jibe aside, I enjoyed this one Robin… And you are right on all accounts… True, the Dutch are somewhat less complicated and more straight forward…. And yes, our food is somewhat simple and eaten at regular times, family dinner at 18u is a classic! However, our ‘diet’ has changed in this century, all our traditional cooking fats like tallow, lard and dairy butter are slowly replaced by plant based oils… As a result cancer rates are through the roof here too, its so sad… ATB, Gerlach Sven.
Dutch society is also much more…well Dutch. American society is a mixture of many different ethnicities, languages, cultures, and backgrounds or at least it has predominantly been this way since the immigration and nationality act of 1965, prior to that it was much more European. Now, you have so many different people living in one area it’s hard for many to find authentic identity. Social isolationism is at an all time high here in the states. You’re 100% correct about the lack of activity among most Americans. Sedentary lifestyles are wide spread among lots of people.
I hope this article goes viral because this is an excellent amd useful message everybody can understand and try and do something with. Well done 😊 As to expressing concern for a loved ones health, I think practice makes perfect here. Getting a less then comfortable message across is hard, also for the Dutch, and to do so without it being toxic takes effort. Which is something we are all aware of precisely because it’s something we go out and do and become familiar with as we grow older. I don’t think it’s truly comfortable for anyone though, but something that needs to be done every now and then anyway, so we suck it up and do it.
-The Netherlands have a tighter than average (by all country standards) immigration policy. -95% (WOWZERS !!!) Dutch people are of Eastern European, European, American light skinned humans . Talk about a monoculture(Similar historical backgrounds and culture dating back 1000s of years) !!! Might want to look into that more….😂
16:31 I like the article, but honestly got sad that I guess it felt needed to sum up nice things about the US in a article called ‘Why are Dutch people healthy?’. I know online culture is what it is, especially US online culture, or so I found. But I still wish people wouldn’t succumb to making disclaimers like this. As a dutch person I guess I appreciate directness over appeasing. Best to your website though!