We will tell stories about challenging conventional advice, discuss the health issues that matter as we grow older, and find humour as frequently as possible;
Are you ready for an unconventional health recommendation? Because it’s my opinion that living life well is about more than routines, day in and day out. It's also about stepping out of them. Let’s put a little adventure on your calendar. In that spirit, I’d like to invite you to pack a suitcase, clear your mind, and join me in Portugal this coming May.
What better way to achieve a host of good things? New friends, great food, astounding scenery, and conversations that have us learning, laughing, and living!
To make it happen, I've partnered with Collette, one of North America's most respected guided tour companies. I’m now assembling a group of Gifford-Jones readers for an unforgettable tour through Portugal. The arrangements, accommodations and sightseeing will be professionally handled; the conversations, friendships and discoveries will be ours to share.
Portugal beckons. Elizabeth Barrett Browning's famous line asked, "How do I love thee?”, and the answer is, “Let me count the ways.” For starters, there's the food. Portuguese cuisine has all the pleasures of a Mediterranean diet. Fresh fish, olive oil, garden vegetables, beans, and fruit are woven into ultra-healthy meals.
UNESCO recognized the Mediterranean Diet as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. What does that mean? There is an emphasis on communal meals as the cornerstone of social customs and celebrations. Eating well is a way of life and it is done together. Growing and preparing food, utilizing seasonal staples, passing culinary knowledge between generations, and gathering around the table are respected traditions. Eating together, UNESCO observes, is fundamental to the social identity and continuity of Mediterranean communities.
Companionship therefore will be a hallmark of the trip. Because it’s good for all of us! People who are meaningfully connected to others live longer. In an analysis of 148 studies involving more than 308,000 people, those with stronger social relationships had 50 per cent greater odds of survival than those with weaker connections. The participants were followed for an average of 7.5 years, and most studies examined death from any cause. Simply living with someone wasn't enough to produce the same result. What mattered most was active social integration – being involved, having relationships, participating and belonging.
We know loneliness is not an emotional inconvenience. It’s a major risk factor for declining physical health. If you’d like to make new friends, there’s no better way than to engage in sustained, meaningful experiences together.
We also learn about Portugal’s history, culture, and artisans. But I want to focus on Portugal’s remarkable public health story. Following the Carnation Revolution of 1974, the country underwent major social and healthcare reforms. Its National Health Service was established in 1979. Infant mortality, which stood at approximately 84 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1960, fell to fewer than three by 2024. This transformation reflects decades of improvements in immunization, healthcare access and living conditions.
Today, Portuguese life expectancy is approximately 82.7 years, about one year above the European Union average.
Among the benefits of a Gifford-Jones-inspired trip to Portugal is the regular cocktail hour. You’ll get no beef from me for enjoying dinner with the wonderful local wines too!
It will be special to travel with fellow readers who share an interest in this column. We will tell stories about challenging conventional advice, discuss the health issues that matter as we grow older, and find humour as frequently as possible.
Don't wait until you have the perfect time to travel. Don't assume that there will always be another opportunity. And don't underestimate the value of doing something new and special with good company. Portugal in May 2027. I hope you will join me. For details, diana@docgiff.com.
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This column offers opinions on health and wellness, not personal medical advice. Visit www.docgiff.com to learn more. For comments, diana@docgiff.com.
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