© Shutterstock

A long, rocky history - The Aegean island has a long history of invasion by Persians, Romans and Turks, which forced people inland, creating isolated cultures rich with tradition and family values. Ikaria was once its own nation as well, which may explain why the islanders have such large differences from their mainland neighbors.

© Shutterstock

An impressive health record - Today, Ikarians are almost entirely free of dementia, they suffer 20% less from cancer, and experience half the rate of heart disease, as well as a much lower risk of depression.

© Shutterstock

The elixir of longevity - On average, people in Ikaria live 10 years longer than those in the rest of Europe and America. Approximately one third of the population makes it to their nineties, a feat which is two and half times more likely in Ikaria than in America.

© Shutterstock

Stories of the island's miraculous powers - Buettner recounts the story of Stamatis Moraitis, a man living in Florida in his sixties, who was struggling with lung cancer and given nine months to live. Instead of seeking aggressive treatment, he returned to his home island of Ikaria, where he could be buried with his ancestors.

© Shutterstock

But that didn't happen - Moraitis spent time in bed at first, then began going out to see the old sights and meet up with his childhood friends, drinking wine and trying to enjoy the rest of his life. But then he started to get stronger, started gardening, and then actually harvesting, and he made it into his nineties despite being told he wouldn't survive his sixties.

© iStock

Even the heaviest smokers are healthy - The Guardian reported that 100-year-old Gregoris Tsahas, despite having smoked 20 cigarettes a day for 70 years, enjoys a happy, healthy life. Besides appendicitis, he hasn't seen illness for longer than he can remember, and on average he walks 4 km (2.5 miles) per day.

© Shutterstock

There are many factors at play - The geography, culture, diet, lifestyle and outlook are all inextricably tied to the magical quality of this island's life, so here's a closer look at what that entails in Ikaria.

© Shutterstock

Evade death by escaping time - One of the most distinguishing qualities of Ikarian culture is that people operate independently of clocks and schedules. Appointments, and the anxiety that comes with them, are absent.

© Shutterstock

You make your own hours - Shop owners can open and close their stores as they wish, and receive no complaints. In the eyes of the islanders, there is no need to live life serving and obeying others.

© Shutterstock

On any given day - Residents enjoy strong red wine, late-night domino games, scenic walks through mountainous terrain, and a relaxed pace of life.

© Shutterstock

A small, close population - The island's population remains around 8,500, which eliminates that all-too-common feeling of anonymity that blooms in dense urban centers. Having strong social connections, and keeping the elderly active members of society, is one of the main reasons credited with health and longevity.

© Shutterstock

The Mediterranean diet - Ikarians eat a variation of the Mediterranean diet, which Blue Zone has estimated yields up to four extra years of life expectancy. It consists of minimal consumption of meat and dairy (and goat's milk instead of cow's), as well as lots of fruits and vegetables, beans, whole grains, potatoes, fish, herbs, and olive oil.

© Shutterstock

Self-sufficient - Though the island has not escaped the Greek economic crisis and many remain unemployed, Ikarians are self-sufficient people, consisting mainly of shepherds, farmers, fisherman, shop owners, and craftsmen. Most households also grow their own supply of produce.

© Shutterstock

Coincidental exercise - Most of us think about exercise as a chore, but it's engineered into Ikarian life. There's no need to hit the gym because they exercise regularly, whether it's digging dirt or walking the uneven terrain to town square.

© Shutterstock

A natural oasis - Ikaria has an idyllic rugged, verdant landscape, with many rivers, waterfalls, gorges, turquoise beaches, and sunsets that will blow you out of the water.

© Shutterstock

An unusual nightcap - Since wine is served all day, Ikarians enjoy ending the night with a local “mountain tea” made from dried herbs native to the island. The wild rosemary, sage and mint teas double as traditional Greek remedies, with strong antioxidants that lower blood pressure and combat illness. However Ikarians don't just drink it when they're sick.

© Shutterstock

They stay up late - In some villages, stores will open at midnight and remain open till dawn. Most of the world's concept of “late” is not relevant to the islanders, but neither are alarm clocks in the mornings.

© Shutterstock

Naps are the norm - Take a much needed cue from Ikaria and indulge in a mid-afternoon break. People who nap regularly (at least three days a week) reportedly have up to a 35% lower risk of coronary heart disease, perhaps due to the decreased stress hormones.

© Shutterstock

The sex remains in old age - According to the preliminary University of Athens' Ikaria Study, 80% of Ikarian men between the ages of 65 and 100 reported they were still having sex, and of those, a quarter did so with "good duration" and "achievement."

© Shutterstock

Full of festivities - The island is also famous for its tradition of "panagiria," or festivals celebrating religious holidays. In most countries these are few and far between, but from May to October, Ikaria reportedly hosts multiple events per week!

© Shutterstock

A celebration economy -

Besides the benefits of gathering together the community for a replenishing night of dancing and feasting, the proceeds from the parties mostly go back into the villages, either for the church or to improve the infrastructure.

(Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

© Flickr/Creative Commons

The freedom-seeking spirit - Ikaria is named after Icarus who, according to Greek mythology, flew too close to the sun and fatally crashed on the island. Icarus' desire to escape imprisonment from a tyrannical but civilized king is infused in the islanders, who similarly dare to fly closer to freedom.

© Shutterstock

No "anchos" - Anchos is the Greek word for anxiety or stress, but it's one you won't hear very often on the island. Why stress about things that don't make you happy when you've got beaches, fresh food, free activities, and people who care about you?

© Shutterstock

A radical rejection of modernism - Ikarians keep themselves as far as they can from consumerism, materialism, time pressures, globalization, and essentially all forms of living for other people. That is, perhaps, how they maintain a strong sense of identity.

© Shutterstock

They had a police station, and shut it down - Built in the village of Rache, the police station has reportedly remained unused for many years, after the villagers convened and agreed that they didn't want or need policing—yet the island remains extraordinarily safe, and crime is virtually non-existent.

© Shutterstock

A culture of hospitality - Ikaria has a long history of taking people in and hosting visitors, even when they have limited resources themselves. The tradition stems from a time before transport networks, yet continues to this day in making tourists feel welcome.

© Shutterstock

Ikarians are the kind of people you want to know - Generally, Ikarians are described as open, relaxed, down to earth, playful, industrious, and passionate. They're the kind of people who greet you with a genuine smile and don't miss a chance to say hello.

© Shutterstock

Unintentionally old - Something Buettner has found that unites the elderly inhabitants of this blue zone is that they never purposely intended to extend their lives. Rather, the environment allowed and encouraged it.

© Shutterstock

Ikarians just do what makes them feel good -

It seems longevity is actually just a coincidental bonus to happiness.

See also: Get rid of these habits to be happier.

© Shutterstock