How Ikarian Way of Life Makes You Live 10 Years Longer

Strong solidarity and natural self.

A decade ago I saw a story on TV about a guy who was diagnosed with cancer. Doctors gave him six months to a year to live. Struck by the bad news, he dropped all the grind in the US and went to spend his last days on his home island Ikaria, Greece.

He went to his native village and started to live in the old Greek way. Six months went by and he was still alive. A whole year passed but he didn’t die yet. Life was good and he never wanted to return to the US until…

Many years had passed since his diagnosis and our guy felt more invigorated than ever. Then he came to the idea to go back to the US clinic and say Hi to the doctors who had diagnosed him.

And so he packed his suitcase and hit off to the hospital to surprise the old medical staff. But there was a bigger surprise waiting for him. The doctors were dead. He outlived them all.

Ikaria, the island near which Icarus fell into the sea because the sun burnt his wings, is one of the six Blue zones — the places where people live much longer than in the rest of the world. Michelin chef Niklas Ekstedt went there to see why they live 10 years longer than the global average. This is what makes these people healthier and happier than the rest of the world.

#1 No One Has a Watch, So There’s No Stress

When they agree to see each other at 12, it means: “See you when you get there.” It can be 12:15 or 12:30. On Ikaria, time passes slowly but everything gets finished.

Thea Parikos, an American living on Ikaria for over 25 years told Niklas an anecdote. One day two painters came to her inn for lunch. They had a meal and then some wine. An hour and a half later, they were still on the balcony. A tourist asked Thea how come they stayed so long since they had work to do. She replied: “They’re just getting a break. The work will get done.” They didn’t have to rush to finish by 5 p.m. because they could also work until 9 p.m.

How you can apply this:

If your life is too busy, try taking your watch off at least during weekends. Go shopping without your mobile phone. Go for a walk and don’t look at the time. Find at least one day per week when you don’t have to rush. You’ll feel recharged because you aren’t battling against time.

There’s another simple way to refresh as well.

#2 Siesta for Health

On Ikaria, people take a nap in the early afternoon. This habit isn’t just a matter of relaxation. This power sleep with the no-stress attitude does wonders to your overall health.

Scientists have discovered that dozing in the afternoon lowers your blood pressure. It also decreases the possibility of heart disease.

How you can apply this:

You don’t have to get yourself a blanket and lower your blinds for a Sleeping Beauty treatment in the afternoon. Just close your eyes for half an hour and you’ll feel refreshed.

Then hit the kitchen.

#3 Wild Green Leafy Vegetables for Healing and More Sex

Ikarian cuisine is well-known for its many wild herbs. These people often drink mint and sage tea. They also pick plants such as wild fennel and radish, which are excellent for your blood, liver, and hangover.

They prepare meals and salads of organic leafy greens full of nitrates. These antioxidants soften the blood vessels and get more oxygen to the brain. Wounds heal faster and your sex drive gets bigger.

About 80% of Ikarian men between the age of 65 and 100 still have sexual intercourse. According to a poll, it is a regular thing until 88. Then sorry, they can’t be sex machines anymore.

How you can apply this:

Most of us can’t go and pick herbs in wild nature nearby. But you can at least buy them at a market or in a local shop and put them into our salad. In winter, you can use spices other than salt and pepper to enjoy their benefits.

#4 The Old Way of Cooking for More Vitamins and Better-Quality Food

Ikarians don’t eat premade food. There is no supermarket or fast-food chain on this island of only 9,000 inhabitants. They consume goat’s milk and stay away from refined sugar and big meals. They also eat a lot of beans which are rich in protein, minerals, and B-vitamins.

While Niklas was talking to Thea, she and her chef Athina were preparing the old Greek meal sufiko. It consists of eggplant, potato, tomato, onion, zucchini, garlic, peppers, oregano, and olive oil. The vegetables are chopped, lined in layers one over another, and stewed over low heat for half an hour.

How you can apply this:

If you lead a busy life and can’t cook every day, choose one workday and make it a weekend practice. You can prepare the whole lunch in a-just n hour. Use in-season vegetables and plenty of high-quality olive oil because vitamins A, E, and D in the vegetables are fat-soluble and they synthesize better with this oil.

And feel free to have a drink. But not any drink.

#5 Home-Made Wine as a Powerful Antioxidant

On Ikaria, families make their own wine. They use grapes without any additives unlike the rest of the world. Just as they did 3,000 years ago, they trample on grapes in small basins made of Ikarian granite, the stone rich in potassium, magnesium, and calcium.

The wine is rich in resveratrol, an antioxidant that lowers blood pressure, decreases bad cholesterol, and protects the brain. Most likely, it also increases insulin sensitivity, eases joint pain, and suppresses cancer cells.

How you can apply this:

Ikarians drink a glass of red or white wine every day. The white wine is unfiltered and thick. You can buy it online or in a well-equipped local shop.

But don’t just drink. Move it.

#6 Ikarians Are Physically Active as Long as They’re Alive

On the island, Niklas met an 87-year-old beekeeper who looked like he was 60. He breeds bees since he was a teenager just because he likes it. When Niklas asked him when he was going to retire, the man said never. He wants to be an active part of his society, not sit at home and do nothing.

Ikarian pensioners work until very old age. They walk up and down the rocky island, doing some manual labor. It makes them feel useful and gives them a sense of purpose. On Ikaria, there is a nursing home but families prefer to live with their elder members. This gives old people a sense of belonging.

How you can apply this:

You don’t have to keep bees but you can always take a walk. Get off the bus one or two bus stops earlier. Use your car less. Go to the woods or a park for the weekend. It’s free and good for your wellbeing.

And help someone out.

#7 Ikarians Have a Strong Sense of Solidarity and No Class Divide

Ikaria is far from other Greek islands, closer to Turkey than to the rest of Greece. After WW2 and the Greek Civil War (1946–49), the government exiled about 13,000 communists to the island. As a result of their ideological influence and the harshness of the windy island, Ikarians gladly help each other out. Not so bad, right?

There are no big economic differences among the inhabitants. As one woman said in Niklas’s interview:

“We have a strong sense of community and love for each other. We don’t chase money and don’t try to compete.”

Two times a year, they organize a feast to celebrate spring. The money they get either goes to the local old monastery or repairs the roads, the bridge, or donate money to the poor.

How you can apply this:

You don’t need to live like a monk or a communist but you can surround yourself with like-minded people. Be more generous and you’ll feel content. Help and give to others and you won’t feel so lonely and desperate when times are hard.

#8 Ikarians Are Big On Socializing

They value their family and friends over work and possessions. And no wonder they do on this island untouched by Western life. People there have always needed each other to survive.

The locals are warm and hospitable. A woman is respected not only because she is the boss in the kitchen. Ladies go out on their own. You can see them in taverns drinking and smoking.

How you can apply this:

Good social life isn’t about many friends. Keep in touch with those close to you. For happiness, you need a connection with other people more than you need to be rich.

Conclusion

According to the NCBI, happy people live longer. And you can always do something to improve the quality of your life, even if you reside in a busy 10-million city. Here are the Ikarian ways you can apply for a longer and healthier life wherever you are:

• Don’t look at your watch all the time.
• Take a nap or lie for at least half an hour.
• Use more vegetables and leafy greens in your diet.
• Cook instead of ordering takeout all the time.
• Try some Ikarian homemade wine.
• Walk more. Engage your body in a natural way.
• Create your social support system. Help others, and they’ll help you back.
• Spend more time with your close friends and family.

Ikarian life looks unachievable to most of us who rush throughout the day. But you can bring small changes that will improve the quality of your life.

You can’t change your genetics completely but you can definitely do wonders if you take more responsibility for your health. The main question is: Do you want to?

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