Even if you travel far and wide like
history’s Ponce de Leon, you probably won’t find a veritable
fountain of youth. But if you are in search of the secret to
longevity, you may find several communities around the world who
seem to hold an elixir of old age in their midst. What sparks longevity? You will find
that those who have lived the longest tend to come from countries
who prioritize balanced, clean plant-based diets and exist in
healthy, more natural environments. People who live long and
prosper also tend to exercise regularly, focus on family and
self-care, and take time to slow down and enjoy things like
napping and smelling the flowers. Although you won’t find a link
between longevity and using a safe online casino instead of
land-based one, add to your enjoyment of life and online slots with these fun facts
about who lives longest in our world.
Longevity and
Record-Breaking Ages
Based on public annals, the longest undisputed lifespan
belongs to Sarah Knauss of the United States. Sarah was born in
1880 and lived to 119 years and 97 days. Jeanne Calment of
France may have lived to 122 years and 164 days (born in 1875),
but questionable evidence about her identity has disputed this
claim about her age. The third oldest person was also a woman –
Nabi Tajima. Tajima, born in 1900, was from Japan and lived to be
177 years and 260 days. Generally, women live longer than men and
that truth is reflected in these longevity records. The oldest
living man was Jiroemon Kimura (also from Japan), born in 1897. He
lived to be 116 years and 54 days. Christian Mortensen, born 1882,
lived to be 115 years and 252 days and was from the United States.
With most of these people being born around the turn of the 20th century or a few
years beforehand, the countries they most frequently hail from are
France, the United States, Japan, Canada, Italy, France, Spain,
Puerto Rico, and Jamaica. As new life expectancy rates are
anticipated for 2030, you would be (maybe) shocked to know that
the United States has now plummeted far down the list to 43rd place with a life
expectancy of 78.6. This decline is due to suicide rates and drug
use. Canada is tied with France for 17th place with an average
life span of 81.9 years.
Chief Reasons
for Longevity
Main contributing factors that seem to
point to longevity include diet, environment, exercise, family and
spirituality, and self-care. Read on to see if you incorporate
these “magic” ingredients into your daily life.
Healthy, Clean
Diet
Among the countries listed below, one
salient factor is a healthy diet. The people who live the longest
know that it is not a fad diet that keeps them alive longer, but a
sustainable lifestyle. People who live in areas like Monaco (a
principality in Western Europe) or San Marino (embedded in Italy)
live mostly off a Mediterranean diet, by which they come naturally
in their region. A Mediterranean diet is mostly vegetables,
fruits, nuts, seeds, legumes, healthy fats (like olive oil), and
seafood, with a moderate smattering of poultry and dairy. People
in these countries do not eat added sugar, refined grains, or
heavily processed foods. Those countries who do not rely on the
Mediterranean diet simply choose local, fresh food. Switzerland
follows a mostly plant-based diet based on traditional
recommendations for whole grains, vegetables, and lean protein.
Singapore, Honk Kong, and Japan also rely mostly on soy proteins,
local produce, and minimal animal protein to give them their
famously long lives. If you are planning a vacation to any of
these countries, make it a food tourism journey and learn to adopt
their ways of healthy, clean living while embarking on an
incredible adventure. You may also try a keto diet or vegan diet
in your own community to boost your immune system, detox, and
extend your life.
The Little
Things
The “little things” quickly add up to
big factors in terms of self-care. And self-care is essential to a
long, healthy life. Many of these countries emphasise easily
accessed healthcare and exceptional medical treatment. Even when
medical care is still expensive, many countries known for
longevity still provide free emergency services, ensuring that
everyone gets care when they need it most. Plus, many of these
countries also have a strong economy, affording residents basic
human rights, such as medicine, a good-paying job, healthy food,
regular family time, and access to gym memberships.
Abundant
Exercise
For some communities, exercise and
outdoor experiences are a part of everyday life: idyllic mountains
and tranquil lakes are perfect for hiking, rowing, walking, and
cycling. People in these countries also know to prioritize taking
the time to get out and move, substantially extending their lives
every time they catch a little sun. Other communities with strong
longevity also just prioritize exercise or make it easy for their
citizens to access a gym, like in the Channel island of Guernsey.
Whichever way you are able to get more exercise, learn from these countries that are
living right and find a way to stay active. Easy ways to fit in
heart-pumping cardio is through biking, running, walking to work, and living room
Pilates workouts. You just have to prioritize and plan ahead.
Be a Steward to
the Environment
Another major contributing factor to
life expectancy is the environment you live in. Many countries
known for producing centenarians are also known for clean, fresh
air and minimal pollution. You can do your part to cut down on
pollution and global warming by making several changes to your
daily life. Main actions you can take today include being more
mindful of your diet and the effect it has on the planet, recycling all recyclable items,
reusing as many containers and materials as possible, cutting down
on fossil fuels consumed for commuting, and drinking your water
from the tap (with a filter) and not from plastic bottles.
Keeping Family
and Spirituality Close
Look closely at the top ten countries
and below and you will see that another factor they all share is
spending time with families. The elderly are respected and taken
care of in these countries. They engage in numerous daily
activities alongside friends and family, from gardening to tai chi
to playing cards outside on their porches (as is the tradition in
Andorra). Many of these countries are also small, making it easy
for families to connect and see each other often, adding to the
overall enrichment of everyone’s lives. People in these
communities also put emphasis on spirituality and religion, giving
them something to believe and hope in, around which they can
devote their lives. This generates happiness and a greater purpose
for living.
Top Ten
Countries with the Highest Life Expectancies
Many countries in the world have been
practicing these ideal “longevity ingredients” for a long life.
You will find that many of them are in Europe, some are fairly
unknown, and nearly all are considered a model for the good life.
Discover them, learn from them, and see what habits you can
integrate.
Monaco
Average national life
expectancy: 89.4 years. Monaco may be small, but it is mighty in
life expectancy. The second smallest country in the world is also
the source of the longest lifespans on earth. Technically called
the Principality of Monaco, this tiny sovereign city-state and
country flanks the French Riviera in Western Europe. Like many
communities in Italy, Greece, and Spain, people of Monaco eat
largely a Mediterranean diet and set aside time for relaxing
outdoors. You will find these people are also very religious and
focused on their families.
Japan
Average national life
expectancy, 85.3 years. Although a jump down from Monaco, Japan
has held fast as a source of long, healthy lives for centuries.
The country is known for kampo medicinal herbs that have been used
for more than 1500 years. Japanese residents also practice many
forms of exercise that encourage relaxation and spirituality,
including yoga and martial arts. The practice of Japanese
meditation can also lead to enhanced mental alertness and
relaxation, encouraging increased health and longevity. Ikigai, or reason for living, seems to be at the
centre of the Japanese lifestyle. Even the food factors into
eating to live – and not living to eat. Locals eat mostly
substantial and healthy foods such as sweet potatoes and soy tofu.
Largely plant-based, they limit meat intake. Specifically, Okinawa
is known for holding the highest concentration of centenarians
(those who live for more than 100 years) in the world. Women from
Okinawa outlive anyone else on earth. 740 out of 1.3 million
people are more than 100 years old and 90% of that population are
women. A major factor that women credit their long lives to in
Okinawa is their large groups of supportive friends.
Singapore
Average national life
expectancy, 85.2 years. In Singapore growing life
expectancy numbers might be linked to increasing economic wealth.
Seniors and families are also considered the top of communities in
Singapore, which adds to the aging individual’s sense of
importance and value. Seniors also stay active, from exercising to
spending time in their gardens. Singapore is also known to have
exemplary healthcare, which focuses on preventative care instead
of simply prescribing medication as “band aids” for conditions.
Macau
Average national life
expectancy, 84.6 years. Macau is located on China’s southern
coast, just 60 kilometres west of Hong Kong. Small in land mass,
Macau is home to the area’s most successful casino industry, which
may make the country the richest territory in the world by 2020.
As with Singapore, financial security allows people to be more
relaxed, healthier, and live longer. Macau is also very focused on
strong family structures, as are many societies in China. Those
older in years are highly respected and cared for, which keeps
those who are aging healthier and more hopeful (and happier) as
they progress through the decades. The elderly also dedicate
themselves to spending considerable amounts of time with their
children, in turn helping raise their grandchildren, creating
tight family units.
San Marino
Average national life
expectancy, 83.1 years. This ancient republic is also known as
the Most Serene Republic of San Marino. Any country with that
title would have to produce some of the longest-living, happiest
people in the world – and it does. Completely surrounded by Italy,
this small microstate is a gorgeous pocket of paradise, built
around Monte Titano. The sylvan, mountainous landscape is
breath-taking and simple, the perfect backdrop for a good, long
life. Like the diet of surrounding countries, those in San Marino
feast mostly on a daily Mediterranean diet, along with handmade
pasta. A strong agricultural influence results in an abundance of
corn, wheat, grapes, and olives, meaning wine is also a staple.
San Marino is also one of the 30 wealthiest countries in the world
regarding per-capita income, adding to the financial security
associated with longer life spans.
Iceland
Average national life
expectancy, 83.1 years. Happiness and a lack of violence go a
long way towards a long life – just ask an Icelandic. Iceland is
also the third healthiest country in the world, showing that diet
helps with long-term wellbeing. The people of this country mostly
just live off fresh seafood, meat, grass-fed cowmilk, and local
produce. Iceland may be able to also chalk its high life
expectancy rates up to its plethora of hot springs. These springs
are thought to yield medicinal properties, helping maintain the
mental health of the Icelandic people during the long, grey winter
months.
Hong Kong
Average national life
expectancy, 83 years. You may not equate Hong Kong – a large,
bustling republic – with a life expectancy comparable to that of
these bucolic, simple communities. However, Hong Kongers pull it
off. Despite the region’s thick pollution and chaotic environment,
residents of Hong Kong make it as long as they do in life due to
exercise. Like Japan, elders in Hong Kong often participate in
martial arts like tai chi, invigorating both the body and mind,
along with stimulating the cardiovascular system. A diet of
steamed veggies and rice and medicinal herbal tea, along with
exceptional public healthcare, keeps those in Hong Kong strong
throughout their lives.
Andorra
Average national life
expectancy, 82.9 years. Andorra is another country that just
looks like it would be a health haven, judging by the clean air,
picturesque mountains, and outdoor-loving community. Alongside
environmental factors, residents also thrive on healthy food and
excellent medical care. They pay their health forward as well to
the environment that gives them life. Situated between France and
Spain in the Pyrenees mountains, these Andorrans are firmly
dedicated to being great stewards of the earth, preserving the
environment. They are also a very active people, hiking and skiing
and walking or biking to commute. Andorra is also a very small
principality, taking just 45 minutes to drive across the entire
area. This allows the elderly to stay close to their friends and
family, adding to extending their old age.
Guernsey
Average national life
expectancy, 82.6 years. Another small, yet thriving community,
Guernsey is an island in the English Channel off the coast of
Normandy. The island is wealthy, with just 65,000 residents, and
has set up an oasis for those retiring and growing old. Most of
Guernsey’s population can afford healthy food, gym access, great
healthcare, and other essential self-care. Taxes are also low and
salaries high. Guernsey is also known for having minimal pollution
and the island life inspires happiness and security, along with
the abundance of fresh air and relaxing nature.
Switzerland
Average national life
expectancy, 82.6 years. Switzerland is known for its neutrality
in conflict and war, making it a very peaceful country. Perhaps
this peace and relaxing lifestyle espoused by the Swiss is why 95%
of men in this country live to at least 80. A balanced diet also
helps – they typically eat recommended daily proportions of 40%
whole-grain carbs, 40% vegetables, and 20% lean protein. The Swiss
also have strong economic fecundity, which is a common facet of
these countries that promote longevity. A wealthy population makes
it much easier for citizens to choose healthy foods and access
medical care, instead of subsisting on subpar nutrition and
assistance. Switzerland is also listed as one of the top five
happy countries, outlining clearly what humans need for basic
happiness and health.
Be Like These
Countries
In Canada, you may not have island sun
or pure mountain air at your disposal, every minute of the day.
However, you do live in a country with model healthcare and a
community that cares about happiness and human rights. Take a cue
from these top ten countries that promote the longest, fullest
lives and enhance your own future with a few lifestyle changes.
That way you can enjoy online slots and poker at the best online
casino in Canada, along with maximizing your other pastimes that
make life memorable. Interested in Health? You may also like:
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