Flowing on Ikarian time
Ikaria is a Greek island in the Northeast Aegean islands just off the coast of Turkey. The island is very spread out and is comprised of many winding roads. The island is renowned for its high number of centenarians and overall general good health. There’s less diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease here and many of the elderly population are active and agile.
I’m in Ikaria sipping on a lemon verbena tea and speaking with Thea who holds cultural immersion retreats on the island and runs a local restaurant in a little town called Nas. I asked her about what constitutes good mental health and wellness on her island. I found out that social connectedness, spirituality, good food and exercise (which is moderate and constant) is key.
Breakfast in Ikaria is a sight to behold: Greek yoghurt and honey, omelette with mixed vegetables, pieces of feta cheese, tomato, and homemade apricot jam. “We love our wines too, which are organic and lentil soup is a once-a-week dish”, she said.
Gratefulness and gratitude are important to Ikarians, as is a glass half full mentality. Ikarians have a sense of purpose, good family connection and there is no generation gap between older and younger people. “When a person grows older, they never feel useless here.”
In addition, there is no sense of busy-ness in Ikaria as Ikarians are always on ‘Ikarian time’, and you never know when people will drop in spontaneously for coffee. We are very social, and we don’t get lonely said Thea. “You have to try really hard to be lonely here” she laughed.