Do you find gym workouts monotonous and uninspiring? Maybe it’s time to take a cue from the Dutch! Fitness and wellbeing are ingrained in their culture, with cycling, walking, and active living being part of their daily routine. The Netherlands boasts some of the highest rates of cycling in the world, proving that an active lifestyle need not be boring or inconvenient. Join us as we explore how the Dutch approach fitness and wellbeing through outdoor activities while enjoying life to its fullest potential. It’s time to ditch sedentary habits for good – let’s get moving like the Dutch!
Cycling, walking, and active living: How the Dutch approach fitness and wellbeing
The Netherlands is known for its cycling and walking culture. Dutch people have been found to have the lowest levels of obesity in Europe, in large part due to their active lifestyles. In addition to being physically active, the Dutch approach to fitness and wellbeing emphasizes eating a balanced diet and getting ample sleep.
The Dutch are among the most physically active people in the world. In 2017, 49% of the Dutch population reported that they engaged in at least one type of physical activity each week, which was higher than the average for all EU countries (43%). This high level of physical activity has positive impacts not only on public health but also on economic productivity – according to research by World Health Organisation, every hour spent on physical activityes saves an estimated three minutes’ worth of work time over a working lifetime.
Dutch people’s love for cycling and walking is something that has evolved over time. Cycling as a form of transportation was first introduced in the Netherlands in 1817, while walking became popular in the 1800s as a way to get around without relying on horses or cars. These two modes of transportation continue to be popular today, with cycling accounting for around one-third of all trips taken in the Netherlands (compared with just 1% in France).
Health benefits of cycling, walking, and active living
In the Netherlands, cycling and walking are taken seriously as forms of active living. Both activities have been shown to be beneficial for physical health and wellbeing. Cycling is particularly beneficial for cardiovascular health, while walking has been shown to reduce the risk of developing obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, depression and anxiety.
The Dutch approach to fitness and wellbeing emphasizes healthy eating habits as well as regular physical activity. Healthier diets consist of plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, low-fat dairy products, and limited amounts of processed foods. Active people in the Netherlands also get plenty of exercise – on average around 120 minutes per week. This includes not only cycling and walking but also playing sport outdoors or using a treadmill at home.
The benefits of cycling and walking are clear: they improve cardiovascular health, reduce the risk of developing obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, depression and anxiety, and help people maintain a healthy weight. The Dutch approach to fitness is sustainable too – it can be adopted by anyone regardless of their age or disability.
How can you incorporate cycling, walking, and active living into your lifestyle?
Active living is a big part of the Dutch way of life. According to the World Health Organization, physical activity can prevent chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes. One approach to keeping active is cycling. Cycling is an easy and comfortable way to get your daily dose of exercise. Cyclists can ride on both city streets and busy bike paths, making it convenient for transportation as well as fitness.
Walking is another great way to get your daily dose of exercise. Walking doesn’t require any special equipment or training; all you need is a set goal and some stamina. Plus, walking is more socially interactive than cycling because you can chat with friends or family members while out on a walk. Finally, there’s also incentive to be physically active in the Dutch culture. In fact, the Dutch government has committed to Double The Nation’s Life Expectancy by 2025 through its “ 2020 A Healthier Me Ondernemers” campaign – which focuses on healthy lifestyles for employees including exercise and diet staples like fruits and vegetables.
Whether you choose cycling, walking, or active living as your go-to method for getting physical activity, make sure you have the right gear. Make sure you have a helmet that fits properly and spare cycling clothing in case of spills or theft. And last but not least, make sure to stay hydrated! Drinking plenty of fluids will help keep you energized during your workout , and will also help you avoid getting dehydrated if the weather is hot and humid.
Final thoughts
The Dutch approach to health and fitness is based on the idea that being active is key to overall well-being. In contrast with many other countries, the Netherlands has a very high rates of regular physical activity. This is due in part to the country’s densely populated cities, which make it difficult for people to get enough exercise.
One of the Dutch government’s main goals for promoting physical activity is to reduce the number of people who are obese or overweight. To help achieve this goal, the government has made it compulsory for all individuals aged six years or older to participate in at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity each week. This includes cycling, walking, and other forms of aerobic exercise.
The Dutch also believe in taking a holistic approach to health and fitness. They believe that getting enough exercise not only helps maintain a healthy weight, but also reduces the risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and cancer. For example, the government has launched campaigns encouraging people to eat healthier foods and reduce their consumption of sugar and processed foods.
Overall, the Dutch approach to health and fitness is highly successful. They have one of the lowest rates of obesity and chronic disease in Europe, while still maintaining an high levels of overall physical activity.
