The Blue Zones are five identified locations on earth featured in various documentaries explaining why the people who live there enjoy longer, healthier and happier lives than anywhere else on the globe. Given my Greek heritage and ability to converse in the language, I decided to zero in on the Blue Zone of Ikaria, one of the 277 inhabited Greek islands, to discern the secret of living without stress.

In every article and documentary that I reviewed about the Blue Zones, a list of conditions is mentioned for people living long, healthy lives. A lack of stress is the one condition mentioned for all the Blue Zones but without further explanation as to why stress is absent in these locations. (In addition to Ikaria, the Blue Zones are Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Loma Linda, California; and Nicoya, Costa Rica.)

Having visited quite a few other Greek islands, nothing about life on Ikaria struck me as different. Movement, a healthy, natural diet, frequent consumption of honey, olive oil, and homemade wine, and daily socializing are conditions mentioned for the Ikarians that can be found on any island in Greece. Why did Ikaria stand out?

I decided to visit the island myself. In searching to discover what might be different, I used observation and dialogue while mingling among the locals, instead of the official interviewing style utilized in the articles and documentaries. While taking a stroll, sitting at cafés and restaurants, or being invited into someone’s home, I was striking up conversations with the locals about life, goals, relationships and dreams.

During these interactions, I did not hear anyone complain about anything, nor did anyone speak badly about anyone else. Our conversations were mainly about their everyday lives. I was struck by what was absent from these dialogues – there was no boasting about money or achievements. They take life as it comes without a need to outdo their neighbor. They live self-sufficient lives while always ready to help each other.

Gradually, I started to realize that the common denominator and main reason for their low stress levels was the presence of trust — the trust they have for each other and how this trust is expressed in the way life unfolds. I noticed the amazing effect trust has on the body. There is a loosening up of our entire physical and psychological systems, creating a feeling of deep relaxation. Ikarians are straightforward talkers. You know where you stand with them at any moment. There is no need for doubt, suspicion, or shutting down – necessary reactions when there is no trust. Instead, there is a natural, automatic, flowing “dance” when there is trust. These conditions lend themselves to a sense of freedom and spontaneous relaxation.

The trust I observed in Ikaria is not a “blind trust.” We observe blind trust in young children before they build the natural defenses one needs to survive in the adult world. Blind trust can be dangerous in adulthood because this might place us in victimized positions. The trust between people on Ikaria is a “deserved trust.” They trust each other because they have proven themselves trustworthy.

We are all likely to experience several betrayals at different stages of our lives that affect our ability to trust others. We may never recover from certain betrayals. However, if we manage not to generalize this mistrust to everyone, we still stand a chance at developing “deserved trust” with some people in our lives. Even if it is with only one person, it makes a big difference. Trust brings calmness and connection, necessary ingredients for good health and inner joy. We may not all live to be over 100, but we can enhance the quality of the years we live.

Good Journeying,
yolanda koumidou