Healthy Hundred

One day, Petra was digging into her family history and found out she had a great-aunt living in Ikaria, Greece. Never having heard of Ikaria, she looked it up and discovered that Ikaria is classed as a “Blue Zone,” one of those places in the world where people live much longer than average and enjoy a high quality of life in their old age. Petra was fascinated. How do they do it? She dug deeper…

In Ikaria, it’s not just the healthy Mediterranean food or staying active that keeps people healthy and active longer, there is also a strong sense of community. Family and neighbours are always there for each other, and this creates a natural support system. This social connection reduces stress and encourages everyone to adopt healthy habits, making life more fulfilling and less lonely. People feel like they belong and are they are needed. They in turn also contribute in their own way.

People interact with each another: gathering for meals, helping with daily tasks, or joining in community activities. Staying connected is a priority. This sense of purpose makes a big difference in mental health and overall well-being.

So, take a lesson from Ikaria. Start building stronger relationships with your own friends and family. See how you can spend more in real life time together, supporting each other, and creating a network that helps everyone feel good and stay healthy for the long run. Work on building your tribe because it won’t build itself.