THE SECRET TO LONGEVITY

 

How one yearns to live a long and healthy life? What if one finds out the secret? Well, the secret lies in the healthy lifestyle of the centenarian people living in the blue zones. People living in the blue zones of Greece, Japan, Sardinia, California, or Costa Rica contribute their longevity to their healthy eating, a purposeful life full of faith supported by secure communities. One can replicate their practices and live a long life. 

 

The centenarians in Japan believe that everyone has a purpose or Ikigai to live. They maintain that once you discover your ikigai, pursuing it and nurturing it every day will bring meaning to your life. By finding and uncovering it hidden deep inside us, you should go on to follow it to make your life filled with fulfillment and gratitude. Finding your purpose and immersing in the process by giving 100% without any distractions bring meaning to everyday existence. Set your wheels in motion and shift gears if need be, and continue with the same passion throughout your life.

 

 

When you are wholly engrossed and focused on the task at hand, you attain a flow. Concentration on one thing at a time is crucial in achieving flow. The cue to sustenance is to have a challenge out of our comfort zone to fulfill your purpose. Enjoying mundane tasks adds to achieving your flow. Meditation is one exercise that will help train your minds to reach a flow. The happiest people are the ones who spend more time than others in a state of flow when nothing else seems to matter.

 

Workout for the mind is a significant and indispensable part of longevity, as it requires stimulation to stay in shape by stepping out of the comfort one. Dealing with new situations, learning something new every day, interacting with people, and never retiring are all the anti-aging strategies for the mind. Be curious about the things that penetrate you and give meaning and happiness to your being. It can be as simple as washing dishes, caring for a child, or helping out people who need it.

 

Self-actualization begun at a young age goes a long way in developing our personality. You need to know your strength, have a mission, and continue with the same vigor to evolve as a better version.

 

The healthy lifestyle of the people in the blue zone includes eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, consuming high anti-oxidant food, fermented food, healthy fat along with less salt, and avoiding the fried stuff. When we eat less than hunger and fast occasionally, it keeps us healthy. 

 

 Exercising regularly, tending a garden, growing food gives us immense happiness with an added benefit of good health. Nurturing friendships, strong social ties with friends and family, and pursuing hobbies too aid in longevity.  Proper sleep is vital to maintain cell function to nourish the body and wellbeing.

 

 

Stress is an inhibitor to longevity as it promotes cellular aging by weakening telomeres, which affect cellular regeneration. It has a degenerative effect over time. Practicing mindfulness is the best dose of medicine to keep anxiety at bay. When we are doing things mindfully, we can detect harmful habits and can replace them with positive ones. A positive attitude with emotional awareness helps manage our emotions.

 

We should not worry too much about finding our Ikigai. Life is not a problem to be solved. Every moment in our life happens only once; we must learn to make it a  once-in-a-lifetime experience. Therefore, one must value each moment like a beautiful treasure. It’s a uniquely transformative experience, discovering how to make each instant the best moment of one’s life. Seize the moment and live a long and healthy life.