The art of slowing down: 7 lessons to learn from Fiji

Sometimes it takes a journey to rediscover that the simplest things bring us the most joy.

In Fijian culture, an innate capacity for happiness is part of everyday life, and the people of this South Pacific nation made slow living an artform long before it became a travel trend. Now science has caught up with what they’ve understood all along: happiness is good for your health.

Researching happiness in Fiji using wearable technology, neuroscientist Dr Lila Landowski discovered that the key elements that lead to contentment are found abundantly in this archipelago. Even just being exposed to these elements while on holiday elevates feelings of happiness in others. Yes, that means happiness is contagious.

So book your Fijian escape to slow down, smile and remember what life is all about.

1. It starts with ‘bula!’ and ‘vinaka’

Start relaxing from the moment you’re greeted. (Credit: Tourism Fiji)

The Fijians’ wonderfully infectious happiness is evident the moment you step off the plane and hear your first bula (hello).

“In Fiji, everyone says bula. When you’re saying hello to people, you feel more connected to community, which leads to increased feelings of belonging and happiness,” says Landowski.

You’ll also frequently hear Fijians sing out vinaka (thank you). It may seem like a small gesture but it’s deeply important.

“Experiencing gratitude from doing a good deed, as well as seeing other people have gratitude for one another, results in long-lasting feelings of happiness,” explains Landowski. Pick up the habit while in Fiji and keep the mood alive back home.

2. Diving into blue spaces

Dive into blue spaces to chill out. (Credit: Tourism Fiji)

“Being in blue spaces and being around the ocean is associated with less anxiety,” shares Landowski. And there’s plenty of blue to find in Fiji, with approximately 333 islands amid clear blue oceans and reefs teaming with life.

That’s already good news, but if you’re engaging in an immersive water activity you love – such as surfing or snorkelling – you’ll release more endorphins, adding to a feeling of heightened bliss.

We all relish the feeling of sun on salty skin, and now science tells us there’s good reason for that, Landowski says: “The longer you’re outside, the more dopamine and serotonin you make”.

Luckily, that’s easy to do in Fiji, where the crystal waves beckon from sunrise to sunset.

3. Eating well, naturally

Find local, seasonal produce on your plate. (Credit: Andrew Lewthwaite)

As an archipelago, the Fijian culinary landscape is dependent on what can be grown locally and seasonally. This means that produce harvested here is nutrient-dense and eaten at its peak.

“When we’re sourcing and eating fresh, seasonal, unprocessed food it has profound effects on our body and our gut microbiome,” says Landowski.

So when you tuck into the bounty of the islands, from just-caught seafood to freshly picked vegetables, know that everything on the plate is not only delicious, but deeply nutritious. And that can only be good for you inside and out.

4. Feeling the music

Let the music wash over you. (Credit: Tourism Fiji)

In Fiji, music is woven naturally into life’s daily cadence, from the welcome song you’ll hear as you check in to your hotel through to the jubilant rhythm you’ll experience at a local kava ceremony.

“We know that engaging in song is protective for the brain,” says Landowski. “Science has shown that when singing together we have a synchronisation of brainwaves, which makes us feel more deeply connected to one another.”

So make sure you join in when the music begins!

5. Community matters

Lean into the community feeling of Fiji. (Credit: Tourism Fiji)

If you feel a strong sense of belonging after a single day in Fiji, you’re not imagining it. From your taxi driver who invites you to his village lovo (feast) to the hotel staff who greet you with extraordinary warmth each morning, Fijian culture places profound emphasis on family and community, which naturally extends to visitors.

“Social connection leads to reductions in our stress hormone, cortisol. When you feel like you are part of a community, you feel happier,” says Landowski.

6. Connection to nature

Take a deep breath and get on Island Time. (Credit: Craig Parry)

Softly swaying coconut palms, crystalline white-sand atolls and lush tropical foliage are pin-ups of an island paradise, but beauty in Fiji is much deeper than the surface of the sparkling water. Fijians enjoy a spiritual connection to nature that’s a harmonious union of land, sea and people.

And you don’t have to be Fijian to sense this uplifting balance – simply spending time outdoors here tops up dopamine and lowers cortisol, says Landowski. It also resets our circadian rhythm, which helps us sleep better, ultimately leading to deeper relaxation.

7. Synchronising with island time

Take a deep breath and get on Island Time. (Credit: Andrew Lewthwaite)

Fijians are loved for their relaxed approach to time – after all, there’s no need to hurry or worry when you live in an island paradise surrounded by rich community and high-voltage beauty. When your life is usually lived in a rush, putting on the brakes with ‘island time’ gives enormous benefits you can take home with you.

“Island time isn’t just about slowing down – it’s about reclaiming control over your own time,” says Landowski. She adds that our usual state of busy-ness is a ‘time famine’ that destroys our autonomy and ultimately snatches away happiness, making an island reset the perfect antidote.

Discover the science of happiness on your next Fiji escape at fiji.travel.