IKARIA BLUE ZONE

Special attention was brought to Ikaria in recent years when it has been included in the ‘Blue Zones’ list of National Geographic. A Blue Zone is defined as a place where the environment and the lifestyle of the inhabitants are conducive to their longevity. After painstaking research that lasted a decade, the longevity specialists have identified five areas, on the entire planet, where people are very likely to live to be a hundred. 
                                                                                                                        
In Ikaria, it has been found that local people are many times more likely to reach the age of 90+, compared to the average population of the planet. It is also impressive that instances of cancer, cardiovascular disease, dementia, and diabetes are significantly lower amongst Ikarians. So, what is it about Ikaria, and Ikarians live a long, healthy and happy life? The truth is that it is a combination of factors, but overall, the centenarians of Ikaria have a good quality of life. Little or no stress, eating according to the “Mediterranean-type” Ikarian diet, getting fresh air, pumped up by the salty currents from the Aegean sea, a lot of walking in nature, sleeping well, but most of all, a very active social life with strong social ties!
                                                                                                                            
Friends and family are a priority in Ikaria, and the locals believe that living alone is unhealthy. They also claim that sharing your joys and sorrows with other people makes life not only bearable, but also meaningful; that is why they organize so many festivities throughout the year, not so much to commemorate their Saints’ name days and other religious holidays, but to celebrate life itself!