23 Sep 2024
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By Marcus Pearce
I’m just back from running my Longevity Experiences in Ikaria and Sardinia. These islands are the two European Blue Zones identified by National Geographic nearly two decades ago (Blue Zones are locations on Earth that experience greater longevity and quality of life).
I’ve been taking small groups to Ikaria since 2016 and took our first group to Sardinia this year. Both are spine-tingling locations with incredible amounts of wisdom around longevity. If you’d like to see what we got up to, see the videos on Instagram or Facebook.
The New York Times coined Ikaria The Island Where People Forget To Die for good reason. Ikarians experience 80 per cent less dementia, 50 per cent less heart disease and 20 per cent less cancer, and they reach the age 90 two and half times more than Australians do.
How do they do it? What are their secrets? There isn’t just one, there are dozens, maybe hundreds of lifestyle principles they implement. Below are 7 of my favourite.
1. Eat intelligently
The French writer Francois de la Rochefoucauld said: “To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art.” The Ikarians prioritise eating in the company of others, which stimulates conversation and encourages slower digestion. Meals are served ‘family style’, meaning all food is placed on the kitchen bench or the dining table and diners independently fill their own plate rather than being told what and how much to eat.
2. Master the art of alcohol
Ikarians have many little “hacks” when it comes to alcohol. When an Ikarian drinks wine, they add water to it. Wine is only ever drunk when food and other people are both present – and never on an empty stomach. Eating and drinking at the same time means the alcohol is drunk more slowly and this prevents drunkenness, which Ikarians frown upon. That said, Ikarians regard wine as an excellent social lubricant and enjoy getting tipsy, laughing and, most importantly, dancing.
3. You’re never too old to dance
Stay in Ikaria for a week and you’re bound to attend a panigiri – a festival dedicated to the saint the local village church is named after. With over 100 villages on an island of 8,000 residents, panigiris are plentiful, and feature much dancing, eating, drinking, singing, and talking.
They run for up to 12 hours, often beginning in the afternoon and going until the early hours of the morning. There is no minimum or maximum age: mothers with babies and nonagenarians all join in.
4. Connect with your community
No panigiri? You’ll find Ikarians sipping coffee, wine or herbal tea at a cafe or neighbour’s house.
“There’s no word in Greek for privacy,” says Thea Parikos, owner of Thea’s Inn and Restaurant and our host in Ikaria. “When everyone knows everyone else’s business, you get a feeling of connection and security. The lack of privacy is actually good, because it puts a check on people’s behaviour. For example, if your kids misbehave, your neighbour has no problem disciplining them. There is less crime, because of the risk of shaming the family.”
In fact, there are only two police stations on Ikaria; and one is empty with a phone line linking to the other station, which has just a few officers.
5. Move instead of exercise
I have yet to find a gym in Ikaria. Who needs one when the island is one big playground, filled with gorges, waterfalls, goat tracks and surrounded by the beautiful Aegean Sea?
And while a walk to a neighbour’s house for dinner would easily provide our recommended 10,000 daily steps, Ikarians scratch their heads at the idea of structured exercise. Instead, ‘incidental exercise’ is a way of life.
Professor Michael Woodward, former Dementia Australia board member, claims 42 per cent of all dementia cases would be prevented if we moved regularly for just 30 minutes a day. No wonder there is only one nursing home on Ikaria, with a mere six residents.
6. Get outdoors
There is little public transport on Ikaria, and cars are a luxury. So, the locals walk, which means they’re exercising, getting quality vitamin D, and breathing fresh air.
7. Just do it … tomorrow
Ikarians are one of the most relaxed communities you will ever find. Tourist shops sell T-shirts which play on the Nike slogan: “Just Do It … Tomorrow”. However, Ikarians are not lazy. They simply prioritise spending time with loved ones when they go home after work, knowing that their job will still be waiting for them … tomorrow. Nor does the community fall apart with this attitude. Maybe your coffee order takes 10 minutes instead of two, but it’s because the waiter or waitress wants to chat with you.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this article. If you’re interested in joining us in 2025 in Ikaria, Sardinia or both, go to www.100notout.com for all the details or feel free to email me marcus@marcuspearce.com.au.
If the Blue Zones interest you, you can listen to this playlist of podcasts I’ve recorded whilst in Ikaria.
As for all things relating to your health speak with your GP or a relevant medical professional. For all your financial health contact PSK on (02) 8365 8300 or visit psk.com.au
General Advice Warning - Any advice included in this article has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on the advice, you should consider whether it’s appropriate to you, in light of your objectives, financial situation or needs.
