Skip to Content
Features

The Quest for Balance over Perfection in the Italian Lifestyle

Our health & wellness expert shares her practices for joy and health with an emphasis on the Italian lifestyle.

Appetito's Health & Wellness expert, Marianna Cuomo Maier, indulging in a Martini.

Appetito’s Health & Wellness expert, Marianna Cuomo Maier, indulging in a Martini.

As a Health & Wellness Coach, people often assume I follow a "perfect" set of rules for my lifestyle—or that I’d expect others to do the same. But the truth is that I love nachos, martinis, lounging, and embracing life’s indulgences!

We can all learn from the Italian way of life: instead of striving for perfection, focus on balance. And balance doesn’t mean sacrificing joy for discipline. It’s about prioritizing what nourishes your mind, body, and soul. In practice, this means enjoying high-quality, nutrient-rich foods, spending time outdoors, resting when you need it, and prioritizing relationships that make you feel good.

For me, balance means leaning into joyful moments while nurturing healthy habits most of the time. It’s about letting go of the all-or-nothing mentality that frames health as either 'on' or 'off.'

Of course, balance looks different for everyone, and part of the journey is discovering what makes you feel your best—inside and out. You can enjoy the things you love and prioritize your well-being. The two can absolutely coexist.

To help you achieve a balance that feels good for you, ask yourself:

• What in my life gives me energy and joy?

• What in my life feels challenging or depleting?

• How do I want to feel?

• What habits, activities, or routines help me align with that feeling?

• What does balance look like for me right now?

When you define balance on your own terms, you create space to enjoy life’s indulgences while feeling your best.

That’s the good stuff.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Appetito

How Italian Professor Ilaria Serra Eats in America

Professor Ilaria Serra, a native of Venice, shares her experiences with Italian food in her adopted hometown of Boca Raton, Florida.

February 27, 2026

A Late Winter Dessert Sip: The Hazelnut Espresso Martini

This cozy cocktail blends espresso and toasted hazelnut with honeyed vanilla vodka for a rich finish to the colder months.

February 26, 2026

Spring Filini with Wild Garlic Pesto and Samphire

Pasta & Magic author Mark Gowen shares a seasonal pesto that comes together with instinct and careful tasting.

February 26, 2026

Monteverde, Rome: A Neighborhood Guide

A neighborhood guide to Monteverde reveals a quieter, more local side of Rome just uphill from Trastevere.

February 25, 2026

New York’s Bar Bianchi Launches Cicchetti Hour

Bar Bianchi debuts Cicchetti Hour, a new early evening ritual in the East Village.

February 24, 2026

Vinny DelGiudice’s Sausage and White Bean Soup

In the second installment of Real Italian, Real Fast, Vinny DelGiudice shares a rustic Italian soup that delivers depth and comfort with minimal effort.

February 24, 2026
See all posts