Exploring Hispanic Heritage in Wellness: A Dive into Science-Backed Practices in Tradition with Marta Hamilton

It's a time to honor the rich history , culture and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities around the world , and in this special episode , I'll be diving into the science behind wellness practices that are deeply rooted in Hispanic traditions .

I had a special heart to do this because I realized , reflecting back on my upbringing and just what brings value to me , that a lot of the wellness practices that I try to incorporate into my life , or even sometimes just part of everyday life in the background , are deeply rooted in my Hispanic upbringing , through my family members or just culture .

So I wanted to share a little bit of myself and my culture with you and in Hispanic Heritage Month , which runs from September 15th to October 15th . It encompasses the Independence days of several Latin American countries , including Mexico , Chile , Guatemala .

It's a time of vibrant celebrations , parades and cultural events , but it's also an opportunity to explore the wellness practices that have been passed down through generations . So I wanted to start with one of the most iconic aspects of Hispanic culture , which is food , the Mediterranean diet .

Many people don't realize it , maybe because we're used to Tex-Mex , which heavily relies on things like , maybe , nachos and fajitas , but the Mediterranean diet is actually very prevalent in many Hispanic communities and it has been long associated with numerous health benefits .

So research has shown that this diet , which is rich in fruits , vegetables , lean proteins , can reduce the risk of heart disease , lower cholesterol and even improve brain health . So when thinking of some really delicious meals that you can find in different cultures , there's a really large focus on delicious fruits .

You think about things like whether it's star fruit or guavas or mangos . They're just really rich in antioxidants and these have been shown to really be helpful in improving your health .

And I think something that's really important to note is that when it comes to the food that you can have in the Latino community , it's not just about what you eat , it's also how you eat . I had done an interview with Caroline . She's located in France . You can check out that episode she talks about .

She was raised in the US and then moved to France and is now experiencing life as a French mother out there , and she talks about this a little bit , about the way in which food is really a central part of daily life and there's a focus on taking time to gather with others and eat fresh food .

And , similarly , in many Hispanic cultures , meals are a family affair . It's a time to connect , it's a time to share stories and really savor each bite . And this communal approach to dining has been shown to promote a sense of belonging and reduce stress , which contributes to overall wellness .

So perhaps a little tidbit of help for your wellness journey that you want to incorporate from this special episode for Hispanic Heritage Month A recommendation maybe to practice mindfulness while eating and really looking at each bite , the flavor , the color , the texture as you take a bite .

Or maybe set up a time to meet with a friend or your family and just gather , just enjoy the meal and the conversation . It's been shown to really be beneficial for overall wellness . I want to move on now and talk a little bit about the power of movement .

Dance has always played a significant role in Hispanic culture , from salsa and tango to flamenco bachata . These dances not only keep people physically active , but it also provides a means of self-expression and stress relief . Studies have shown that dance can improve cardiovascular health , increase flexibility and boost mood .

So if you're wanting to take a moment to honor Hispanic Heritage Month , maybe enroll in a class and learn how to salsa , or learn new steps in bachata , or even ask I don't know about you guys , but we often ask Alexa to play some music in the background while we're preparing dinner or cleaning up dishes , and maybe you just venture out and ask Alexa to play

a salsa or tango playlist and you can enjoy the benefits of dancing and how it's really . When it comes to wellness , we talk about this a lot . I think we can overcomplicate it so easily .

We think , okay , I need to purchase certain supplements or purchase certain journals or invest in these very specific items , but so many things when it comes to wellness are free , just like dancing . So , whether you prefer doing it in a group or in the privacy of your home , I encourage you all to maybe take a little moment to dance today .

Now let's delve into herbal remedies . Traditional Hispanic healing practices often incorporate herbs like aloe vera , chamomile and ginger for various ailments , and I think this part really stands out to me too , in terms of kind of how I grew up so often right , we have people in our community . I think of my abuelita chata , who has passed , as well as her mom .

Mommy had a really large influence on this with me in terms of plants and herbal remedies , and even for beauty . I still remember , and sometimes do grab some rosemary for my face . The science behind these remedies is actually really fascinating .

Now that we have the technology to study some of these words of wisdom when it comes to herbal remedies , it's really fascinating to see how the wisdom that has been passed down generationally can be backed up by science . For example , aloe vera has been studied for its anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties . It's a pretty resilient plant , I must tell you .

I live in El Paso , texas , so it is dry here and I live in the mountains , so if you try to dig , you're going to hit rock really fast , and even so , somehow I have been able to keep plenty of aloe vera alive in pots , and it is so helpful for when my kids get sunburns or I have a little burn , even as something that is moisturizing .

I mean , it's just incredible and it's always been there . I have aloe vera plants that I have inherited from my dad , who inherited them from his mom , and we just keep propagating and passing them around , so it's the plant that keeps giving , and also chamomile , very , very popular herbal remedy in the Hispanic community .

It's known for its calming effects and potential to reduce anxiety , although I must be very clear with a disclaimer that it is not a weight . It's not beneficial to replace any kind of recommendations that are made by a physician for your care when it comes to things like anxiety .

It is very important to seek professional care for any ailment that you have , because , just the way we would encourage someone with diabetes or asthma to go to a consult with a medical provider for how to best treat that , it's the same thing with anxiety . We know that anxiety is a brain-based illness .

Just the same way that our lungs are an organ or our heart is an organ , our brain is an organ too , and it deserves the same care and medical treatment and attention as any other illness like diabetes or asthma or a matter affecting your heart . So I do want to make sure that everyone knows that they're listening to this .

This is not medical advice and I do recommend that you seek professional care with your doctor . And another thing I really want to talk about is mindfulness and spirituality .

Many Hispanic cultures have a very strong connection to spirituality , whether through Catholicism , indigenous beliefs or a blend of both , and practices like meditation , prayer and mindfulness have been scientifically shown to reduce stress , improve mental health and increase overall well-being .

These practices are deeply ingrained in Hispanic traditions and can offer valuable tools for anyone looking to enhance their wellness , and recent polls have surveyed cultures all around the world and have found that some of the happiest people are actually in Mexico .

So shout out to Mexico for that , and one of the reasons , one of the factors that they looked at this , was a statistically based research . They found that there was a really strong correlation with these things that we've mentioned so far , particularly a sense of community , but also spirituality .

It's also labeled as religiosity at times , but spirituality had a very strong connection and correlation with overall happiness and well-being , and it was really highly able to predict people's ability to even overcome illnesses when they were in cancer treatment .

Those who had a strong sense of spirituality and connection to community and social support system were significantly higher likelihood of having less symptoms and overcoming their illnesses quicker

.

As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month , it's essential to recognize and appreciate the diverse wellness practices that have been passed down through generations , and the science behind these practices really reaffirms their value in promoting physical and mental well-being , and I want to encourage our listeners to take this month as an opportunity to explore and learn more

about Hispanic cultures , traditions and wellness practices . Whether it's trying a new recipe , attending a dance class or simply taking a moment for mindfulness , there are countless ways to incorporate these enriching elements into your own wellness journey . So , in summary , thank you for joining me on this special mini episode of the TeleWellness Hub podcast .

I hope you've gained valuable insights into the science and culture behind Hispanic wellness practices . As always , stay curious , stay well and stay connected . Happy Hispanic Heritage Month .