New Delhi, November 13 (IANS). There are five places on the world map where people live exceptionally long and healthy lives. These are Okinawa of Japan, Sardinia of Italy, Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica, Ikaria Island of Greece and Loma Linda community of America and they are called Blue Zones.
WHO’s 2025 report states that people in these regions live 12–15 years longer than the global average. So what is the secret of their longevity? The answer lies not just in food, but in a philosophy of life.
In Okinawa, the morning begins not with a smartphone notification, but with ‘ikigai’, the search for the purpose of living. Every person has a motive, whether it’s tending a garden or helping a neighbor. This mental balance keeps stress to a minimum and balances the hormonal system of the body.
In Sardinia, Italy, people eat limited amounts of red wine, olive oil and whole grains. Her secret is a plant-based Mediterranean diet. The elders there eat fresh vegetables and fruits with every meal, and eat meat only once a week. A 2025 report by the University of Milan suggests that this diet reduces ‘bad cholesterol’ (LDL) levels by 30 percent.
Morning tea on the island of Ikaria in Greece includes a blend of herbs such as thyme, rosemary, and sage. These are called ‘Natural Anti Inflammatory’ there. Research has found that depression rates among the people of Ikaria are among the lowest in the world, and cases of dementia are almost non-existent.
The same thing was found in all the communities in the Blue Zones. These people are very social. Live not alone but with ‘society’. Every person is connected to his family, friends and neighbors. This social interaction is the root of mental health. Loma Linda residents, who are Adventist Christians, observe a “rest day” every Saturday. On this day, people stop work and spend time with family and nature.
Walks a lot and does his own work. WHO is now considering incorporating the Blue Zones model into urban policies, so that ‘social health’ and ‘slow living’ can be encouraged in cities too.
–IANS
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