A man who defied medical expectations by living 40 years longer than doctors anticipated has shared his insights on achieving a long and healthy life.
Stamatis Moraitis was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1976 and was initially given a prognosis of six to nine months.
After receiving his diagnosis, he decided to leave the United States and return to the Greek island of Ikaria, intending to enjoy wine and await his final days.
However, his life extended by four decades beyond his prognosis, and he attributed his longevity to specific lifestyle factors.
Ikaria, Greece, is renowned as a ‘blue zone,’ an area where residents often surpass average life expectancy, experiencing better health and lower rates of chronic illness.
Moraitis passed away in 2013 at the age of 102, but he left behind valuable advice for those seeking a long and healthy life.
Moraitis credited his health and recovery to the clean air, wholesome food, and a stress-free lifestyle he found on the island.
Ikaria is not the only ‘blue zone’; there are four other regions worldwide that share this distinction.
One individual who has experienced life in a blue zone is business coach Martha Pierce, originally from Colorado, USA, who relocated to Saint Theresa in Costa Rica.
“I generally understand the diet, the lifestyle, the approach. In many ways, I already lived those traits,” she told Business Insider.
“People here have a much more relaxed approach to life. People are way less stressed. It’s obvious.
“I’m less stressed too. I’m noticing a sense of more fulfilment. As Americans, and for me personally, I felt like I was always reaching for something, looking for the next client, the next revenue, the next milestone.”
“And here, there’s a sense of contentment and an experience of community that feels quite different.”
Pierce also mentioned the main adaptation she had to make after moving: “The biggest adjustment has been adjusting to the attitude of the people here. You don’t realize you’re stressed when you’re around a whole bunch of other people who are also stressed.”
“The speed at which things move here is just slightly slower. I definitely feel more relaxed.”