Taipei: "Life should resemble a passeggiata, you don't have to run," declared Italian author Eliana Liotta at the Taipei International Book Exhibition forum, where she urged attendees to focus on their health by incorporating more relaxation into their daily lives. The event, which attracted a full house, provided a platform for Liotta to discuss the concept of "passeggiata," a leisurely walk that inspired her book "La vita ¨ una corsa" (Life is Not a Race), set to be published in March 2024.
According to Focus Taiwan, Liotta illustrated the concept of "passeggiata" by getting up from a couch during the forum and leisurely strolling across the stage, simulating a relaxed walk where one takes in the surroundings and greets friends. In an interview with CNA, she explained that this walk is not just a physical exercise but also a "social ritual" for Italians, allowing them to meet friends and de-stress. "It's about building community," she emphasized.
Liotta's forum theme, "Mediterranean wellness," highlighted the importance of a lifestyle that includes "pauses" for eating, sleeping, exercising, and socializing. She encouraged people to take time to think about their lives, asserting that it is essential for understanding how to live well.
When questioned about the concept of "downshifting," which involves working and earning less in exchange for more personal time, Liotta distinguished it from her approach. She argued that rather than earning less, individuals, including top managers, should invest time in relaxation and personal growth. She advocated for breaks as a universal right, not just a privilege for the wealthy, stressing the importance of working to live rather than living to work.
Liotta referenced research from the University of Cambridge in 2023, which showed that a trial four-day workweek in the UK resulted in 65% fewer sick days and a 57% reduction in turnover, with no significant change in revenue. "People worked better and lived better under less stress," she noted.
In her book, which is based on scientific research in collaboration with specialists from the San Raffaele Hospital in Milan, Liotta emphasizes the importance of respecting the body's biorhythms to enhance wellness. She explained the role of the pineal gland, a "clock" inside the body that helps synchronize with the Earth's rotation, affecting hormones like serotonin and melatonin, which influence happiness and rest.
Liotta's shift from journalism to health writing was motivated by the sudden death of her father, which left her searching for answers about health and wellness. Her literary journey includes eight books, such as the 2016 bestseller "La Dieta Smartfood" (The Smartfood Diet), which has been translated into over 20 languages.