Secrets of long and happy lives

DAUGHTERS COULD BE ONE REASON FOR MEN! SURPRISED? SARDINIAN (ITALY) MEN WHO HAVE DAUGHTERS LIVE LONGER AND HAPPIER.

There are some regions in the world where people live much longer and happier lives, well into the 90s and 100s, exceeding the global average of 71 years.

These areas are referred to as Blue Zones, not really due to the color of the sky or water there, but by the circles drawn around them on the world map. They include Sardinia (Italy), Okinawa (Japan), Nicoya (Costa Rica), Loma Linda, California, (USA) and Ikaria (Greece).

Researchers are trying to study what could be the less known environmental, genetic and social factors conferring health and well-being benefits to these residents.

1. Daughters could be one reason for men! Surprised? Sardinian (Italy) men who have daughters live longer and happier. It turns out that daughters remain much more emotionally attached to

their parents, especially fathers, even after marriage. And Sardinia, being a small island, where daughters stay close by, turn out to be more caring of their aging fathers, often providing the much needed emotional support, that could be making a difference.

Lesson: Invest in daughters: they are more likely to return your emotions when you need them most.

2. Community bonding seems to be another common denominator in all the five Blue Zones. Peoples here maintain frequent strong contacts with each other across families and generations, follow traditions and festivities together, and have strong social circles, that increase harmony and reduces stress levels. These circles are meant to be there through all of life’s ups and downs, and provide a social support that mitigates life’s stressors. Okinawa, with its social networking, boasts the largest number longest living women in the world.

Lesson: Start meeting your relatives, and people from your neighborhood more frequently and participate in festivities regularly. Look beyond office parties!

3. Costa Ricans live long, and one thing they have in common, is that they shun processed food. Their food is simple and consists of vegetables, fruits, beans, and like the Sardinians, they walk long distances and spend lots of time outdoors.

Lesson: Reduce intake of processed foods, and spend more time on long walks, exercises, outdoor activities and sports.

4. The only ‘blue zone’ in the USA is Loma Linda, which is home to a large number of Seventh Day Adventists, a denomination of the protestant church. They adhere strongly to their principles and church activities, and are regular with Sabbath – a day of rest, reflection and recharging. Indeed these people live an average of 10 years longer than their fellow Americans.

Lesson: Taking a day off for rest and reflection is essential for recharging your energy and preparing you for the week to come.

The work culture of modern times that rewards you for more time spent and more work done in office could be damaging to your health. The onus is on you to get your priorities right.

It is good to remember that when age and illnesses catch up on you, office colleagues are not likely to be around to hold your hand.