I Went to Lithuania… and Came Back Lighter, Happier, and (Maybe) Younger
By Lynn Hardy
I didn’t expect to fall in love with Lithuania. Honestly, I wasn’t even sure what to expect at all. But what I found was something that felt like a secret – a country that quietly understands how to live well, stay young, and feel alive.
From the moment we arrived, something felt different. The air was crisp and clean, the people calm and content, and everywhere you looked, there was nature – real nature. Forests. Lakes. Green space. And people actually using it. Walking, biking, moving with purpose. Not to hit a step goal, but because that’s just how life flows here.
Let’s talk about the saunas.
If there’s one thing that defines Lithuanian wellness culture, it’s the sauna. But forget your hotel steam room. These are intense, traditional, multi-sensory healing experiences. We tried several — hot, cold, infused with herbs, followed by ice plunges or a jump in the lake. I swear I left a year of stress in those sauna rooms. My skin was glowing. My sleep? Incredible. And my mood? Let's just say I forgot what anxiety felt like.
Then there's the food.
Imagine eating real food again. Vegetables straight from the garden. Dairy and meats from small local farms. Eggs with yolks so orange they practically glow. Nothing ultra-processed, nothing pumped full of chemicals or fake ingredients. I didn’t count calories, restrict anything, or obsess over macros — and yet, somehow, my clothes started fitting better. My body responded to the simplicity. It was like it sighed in relief.
I didn’t see a single overweight person.
I don’t say that to judge or compare — it just struck me. People here are active, they eat seasonally, they rest properly, and they’re not addicted to snacks and screens. It reminded me how unnatural our modern lifestyles have become. And how our bodies are craving a return to something more human, more grounded.
And then there’s the feeling.
Safe. Peaceful. Happy. The energy in Lithuania is different. It’s soft. Respectful. Kind. No one’s in a rush. People look you in the eye. It made me realize how overstimulated and disconnected I’d become without even noticing.
Would I go back?
Absolutely. But more than that, I want to bring it back with me. The slower pace. The clean eating. The saunas. The presence. Lithuania gave me more than a great trip — it reminded me who I am when I’m not stressed, inflamed, or overwhelmed.
And that version of me?
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