How to Live to be a Hundred

The Greek island of Ikaria is one of the world’s “Blue Zones,” known for its centenarians, people who live past 100. What makes Ikarians live so long? A brief stay on the island this summer helped me uncover some clues…
- Healthy food. On Ikaria we breakfasted on creamy goat yogurt, mountain honey, and crusty whole-wheat bread. Other meals abounded in field-fresh vegetables, wild greens, and succulent fruit. This simple, delicious fare made us feel strong, alive, and ready for adventure.
- Fresh air and exercise. Ikaria consists largely of beaches and mountains. Enjoying these required moderate physical activity in air that was clear and fragrant. After that, who needs the gym?
- Sound sleep. After all that fresh air and exercise, sleeping better than usual was more or less a given!
- Natural beauty. The sight of the Aegean stretching out in a silvery vista, or of hillsides cascading with pink and white oleander, went a long way toward lowering stress and inspiring deep calm.
- Relaxed, appreciative outlook. Ikarians are known for their strong social bonds and enjoyment of the moment. We couldn’t help but notice during our stay that even casual passers-by had a smile for everyone, and plenty of time to talk.
Are these ingredients enough to make a person live to 100? I don’t know, but I’m tempted to move to Ikaria to find out!



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