Why do people in some parts of the world celebrate their 100th birthday by dancing with their loved ones, while others are already struggling with chronic diseases at 60?
The answer isn't in pills or genetics, but in habits that seem too common to be taken seriously.
The island of Ikaria in Greece, Okinawa in Japan, and Nicoya in Costa Rica – centenarians are not uncommon here. They don’t diet or run marathons. Their secret is the natural rhythm of life.
They walk a lot, eat fresh seasonal produce and have almost no idea what processed foods are.
Alcohol is not prohibited here, but it is drunk in moderation, and meat is eaten only on holidays. The main rule: the food should be simple, and the portions should be small.
Long-livers do not include sports in their schedule. Instead of exercise machines, they take daily walks, work in the garden or dance. Movement is woven into their everyday life.
The second key is strong social ties. Loneliness is a rare guest here: families live close by, and neighbors have known each other for decades.
The third element is the ability to enjoy the little things. Gratitude for each day, laughter, and shared meals reduce stress better than any therapy.
Modern man is looking for magic pills, ignoring what lies on the surface.
We replace sleep with coffee, communication with social networks, and home-cooked food with delivery.
But research confirms that those who sleep 7–8 hours, eat more vegetables, and regularly hug loved ones are less likely to develop diabetes, depression, and heart attacks.
Changing habits is scary, but you can start small. Replace the elevator with the stairs, add an extra spoonful of salad to your plate, call an old friend.
Years stolen from illness are made up of precisely these “insignificant” decisions.
As they say in Okinawa: "Eat breakfast yourself, share lunch with a friend, give dinner to your neighbor." Maybe this is the formula for another decade of life?
Author: Elena Shimanovskaya