5 Habits of the Worlds Healthiest People
We can learn from these people and begin to implement their habits into our own lives!
Good health and long life expectancies!
There are a few places in the world renowned for their remarkably high life expectancy rates and being home to some of the oldest people in the world. Not only do these people reach grand old ages, upwards of 100 years old, they also do so with grace and good health. Some of the better known places who's people are know for living long and healthy lives include: Loma Linda, California, USA; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Sardinia, Italy; Ikaria, Greece and Okinawa, Japan.
What habits do these healthy people have that we might learn to live longer and healthier lives?
They Move Naturally
The healthiest people in the world do not seem to take part in structured exercise, most of them would have never been to a gym. Instead they live a naturally active lifestyle. Often tending gardens, growing their own foods, rearing their own animals, living amongst challenging terrain and having limited access to mechanical conveniences. In fact longer life has been found to closely correlate with the steepness of the mountain slopes you live on and the walking distance to your place of work.
Tip: Current exercise guidelines are to reach 150 minutes of moderate intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity exercise per week. In the westernised absence of rugged mountains and tending the land, for many of us, reaching this target may very well help to extend our lives.
They Chill Out
The Healthiest people in the world all seem to have a cultural coping mechanism for stress. They take time every day to just chill out. In various different cultures this looks like taking time to pray or meditate, taking daily naps or engaging in happy hour. Yes that’s right, some of our healthiest people drink alcohol, and on a very regular basis too. Having said that binge drinking is non-existent in these people and alcohol is instead enjoyed in moderation as part of daily socialising. A small glass of red wine seems to be the most popular tipple. In fact, Sardinian Cannonau wine, which is made from Grenache grapes, has been shown to have extremely high levels of antioxidants.
Tip: Red wine may be beneficial for health although it may not have the same powerful effect unless it’s antioxidant packed Sardinanian wine, enjoyed with friends in moderation. There are many other healthy ways to destress that don’t involve alcohol. Try meditation?
What about the other 3 habits?
To learn the other 3 biggest habits of the healthiest people in the world, including what they eat to live longer and healthier lives, listen to Amy’s full discussion in the Eat Great chat, #49 - Habits of the World’s Healthiest People.
If you are not a DediKate member sign up for your 2 weeks free trial to listen!
Let’s Sum It Up
There are some places in the world where people tend to live longer and healthier lives. Some of the habits that they typically have are moving naturally and relaxation. We can copy some of these behaviours to try to improve our own health and potentially extend our own lifespans.
