I was talking with a friend the other day discussing how fit and healthy people are getting sick unexpectedly.
He then declared he was suffering from some illness, but I didn’t quite hear what the illness was, and he continued with the saying, “I’m here for a good time. not a long time.” Shortly after that we ended the call and went about our day. I didn’t get to ask him what his illness was.
Also he had said, “I’m here for a good time. not a long time.” I had a friend who would say this often, and he passed away at a relatively young age.
As he is very active and fit, the fact I hadn’t heard what he said troubled me throughout the rest of the day.
This played on my mind, so the next day I called my friend back to find out what the illness was.
It was diabetes, not 4th-stage cancer; nevertheless, you can die from this disease.
It got me thinking about what he had said: “Not here for a long time.” What is a long time? Longevity of life.
Did you know there are Five Blue Zones in the world that have the highest number of centenarians? People living over 100 years.
Living longer and suffering less chronic disease: why is this? It is interesting to see how they live their lives.
Let’s have a look.
The Five Blue Zones are:
- Okinawa, Japan.
Japan is the home of Ikigai.
Lifespan
The residents of Okinawa have extraordinary longevity, where there are 24.55 people in every 100,000 who live over the age of 100 years old.
Diet
Combined with a balanced lifestyle of a healthy diet, drinking lots of green tea
Lifestyle
A simple life, often as much outside as possible, and a subtropical climate and living their Ikigai shape their lives.
- Sardinia, Italy
Lifespan
Similar to Okinawa, Sardinia has one of the highest levels of male centenarians in the world. Being 22 centenarians per 100,000 people.
Diet
Sardinians eat a diet rich in local fresh ingredients, such as whole-grain bread, beans, garden vegetables, and fruits. Meat is usually eaten once a week.
Lifestyle
Along with having tight family connections, there are several generations living together in the same home.
- Loma Linda, California
Lifespan
Loma, about a third of its population are Seventh-day Adventists. They live 10 years longer than the average American.
Diet
This is due to life consisting of a diet based on having a diet of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains. They don’t smoke or drink alcohol.
Lifestyle
Volunteering plays a big part in the Seventh-day Adventist community.
- The Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
Lifespan
The people hailing from the Nicoya Peninsula are 3.5 times more likely to live past 100 than the rest of the world.
Diet
The water in Nicoya has a very high level of calcium, which they are renowned to drink.
Dinner is usually light and in the early evening, with the base for their meals being the three sisters: squash, corn, and beans.
Lifestyle
The days are spent with family members and the community.
Also, they toil hard physically, and many remain active after turning 90 years old.
The older residents have no problems rising early in the morning to work in the fields.
Nicoyans embrace “plan de vida,” some translate it as the soul’s purpose, similar to Ikigai’s reason for being, what gets you out of bed in the morning.
- Ikaria, Greece
Lifespan
30% of Ikarians live well into their 90s and many past 100.
Diet
Rich in plant-based foods, fruits, whole grains, nuts, legumes, and olive oil, and enjoy wine or two often with family or their neighbors.
Lifestyle
It’s about family and friends enjoying life with cooking, eating, and resting, just being chilled.
Over the years research has shown if we are to enjoy a healthy life, we need three basic things: wholesome food, exercise, and sufficient rest. Along with our connection to the family and community.
The five blue zones provide examples to guide us to some of the benefits we can enjoy.
Namely, live longer and suffer from fewer chronic diseases such as cancer, heart diseases, and inflammation disorders.
These examples also show us how centenarians enjoy a greater level of vitality and good health.
Well, maybe taking on board some of these lifestyle adjustments could lead to us chanting, “ I am here for a good time and a long time.
