…they were doing so with “good duration” and “achievement.” Go dudes!
5. Take a Placebo Once Per Day
Ikarians take a spoonful of honey every morning. They believe it is their “medicine” and use it for both prevention and treatment of illness and injury. They also regularly consume homemade tea made of a special blend of herbs they believe extends their lives.
While there may be some health benefits the Ikarians enjoy from the honey and herbs themselves, chances are good that the stress-relieving, relaxation-inducing effects of the positive belief they associate with the honey and tea are more potent medicine than the honey and tea themselves.
4. Walk…DAILY
To get around the island, Ikarians walk. And it’s hilly where they live. Exercise isn’t something they do at the gym. It’s an enjoyable, built-in part of their lifestyle.
3. Cultivate a Sense of Community
Finding your tribe, alleviating loneliness, and feeling like part of a community can cut your risk of heart disease in half and extend your life up to 10 years. Be part of a community where you fit in. Ikarians live in multigenerational homes and avoid spending too much time alone. And researchers have proven that being part of a nurturing community is more important to good health than quitting smoking or starting to exercise.
8. Go to Church, Temple, or Mosque
Studies show that gathering as part of a spiritual community can extend your life up to 14 years.
1. Surround Yourself with Like-minded People
The more you surround yourself with people engaged in the same kind of health behavior, the more it becomes part of your culture. If, however, you surround yourself with obsessive-compulsive couch potatoes, it’s easier to become one yourself. When you surround yourself with healthy, inspiring people, you’re way more likely to live to be 100.
Visit the BlackDoctor.org Healthy Aging center for more helpful articles and tips.