Everybody Needs Friends
– Credit: C/O
The third common thing throughout all the blue zones is a sense of community. Centenarians in the blue zones put a high value on spending time with family, long-lasting romantic partnerships, and surrounding themselves with friends who partake in meaningful experiences together.
In Sardinia, nursing homes are very uncommon — elderly people often live with their family members. The result is a beneficial exchange for both parties. The young take care of the old and help them live longer by preventing loneliness, while the old pass on their wisdom and help look after the children.
In Okinawa, many elderly people have small groups called “moais” made up of friends who help each other through hard times. They regularly meet to play games and do other hobbies together.
In Loma Linda, elderly people join choirs and play sports together. In Ikaria, Greece, people regularly gather to eat dinner, drink local, naturally made wine, play music, and dance.
The resulting longevity of their communities shows that having a tight-knit group of friends you can lean on is invaluable.