The famous English novelist James Hilton published his novel ‘Lost Horizon’ in 1933. In the novel, there is a fictional mystical valley called Shangri-La which has become synonymous with an earthly paradise isolated from the outside world. The inhabitants of Shangri-La are almost immortal, always young and energetic showing no signs of aging, living for a very long lifespan. It is believed that the novelist had visited Hanza Valley in northern Pakistan, which was then very famous for the largest number of healthy centenarians. The inhabitants of Hanza were always healthy and youthful and lived for more than 100 years. This might have inspired him for the creation of the mystical valley Shangri-La in his novel.
Hanza Health Secrets
Sir Robert McCarrison was the first medically qualified Westerner to visit Hanza Valley. He spent seven years there as a Surgeon. He wrote about his wonderful experiences. It was a remote region in the Himalayan Mountains where the people were extraordinarily healthy and lived to be 120 or even 140 years of age without showing the signs of aging.
Later, Dr. Jay M. Hoffman was sent to this valley under the auspices of the National Geriatric Society in the USA to find out the secrets of the extraordinary health and longevity of the people there. He conducted extensive research about their lifestyle, diet, work habits etc. In 1968, Dr. Hoffman published his book: ‘Hanza: Secrets of the World’s Healthiest and Oldest Living people’. He revealed that the extraordinary health and longevity of the people of Hanza were the result of proper nutrition, pure air, clean water, exercise, a lot of sunshine, proper rest, positive thinking and stress-free life.
Blue zone secrets
It was in 2010 that Dan Buettner published his bestselling book. ‘The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer, from the People Who Live Longer’. He wrote this book after conducting an extensive research to understand the secrets of longevity and youthfulness. The research was with the support of the National Geographic and National Institute of Aging, Washington. Five places where the largest number of centenarians are living a healthy, happy and creative life, were selected for the study. These regions are now known as the Blue Zones.
Dan Buettner wrote three more bestselling books regarding the different health and longevity secrets of Blue Zones.
- Sardina Island in Italy
- Okinava in Japan
- Lomalinda in California
- Nicoya in Costa Rica and
- Ikaria in Greece, are these famous Blue zones.
In all these blue zone areas certain common factors are seen. Pure air, clean water, and active social life, natural diet and connection to nature are some of the secrets of their super health and longevity. Elders are moving along with the youth and are respected and loved by the young generation.
In Sardina (Italy) people are happy to help each other. Their friendship and love are so strong and sincere to build a strong social bandage. They meet on the streets and talk and laugh a lot. They are famous for their sense of humour. They regularly walk and work under the energizing sun.
In Okinawa (Japan) people generally stress free and happy. They are engaged in gardening and natural farming. They eat natural and fresh food. They follow the ‘Hara hachi bu’ rule by eating only up to 80% of the stomach keeping 20% vacant.
In Ikaria(Greece) people take regular afternoon naps. Latest researches show that 30 minutes of afternoon nap reduces heart attacks 37 percent. People are generally engaged in farming and fishing and they walk a lot every day. They have regular social engagements and strong social connections.
In Loma Linda (California) people drink plenty of pure water and eats lot of nuts and fruits. They exercise regularly and nurture their soul with spiritual practices.
Nicoyan people eat natural fresh food and sleep for eight hours. They walk and work under the sun for many hours a day.
Research in China
Bapan Village in China is known as ‘longevity village’ since the largest number of healthy and active centenarians are living there. Dr. John Day, a cardiologist of Intermountain Health Care, Murray Utah visited Bapan village and studied about the secrets of longevity of these centenarians. He also conducted a research in 3000 identical twins and concluded that 25% of their longevity was due to genes 75% was due to their healthy lifestyle. They eat plenty of fresh veggies with all three meals. They eat a lot of fruits, nuts, seeds etc. They don’t smoke. People of all ages are engaged in physical activities like farming, gardening, and everything is done by their hands. Dr. Day says that connection matters in longevity village. All are connected to nature, to the earth to the family, friends, and community. Elders are revered and cared and they live with their children and grandchildren and have more social connections.
Secrets revealed by Famous Centenarians
George Burns, the author of ‘How to live to the 100’ says that the single most important key to longevity is avoiding worry, stress, and loneliness. The famous Titanic actress Gloria Stuart did her wonderful performance in the film at the age of 87 and she lived very actively up to 100.she disclosed the secret of her longevity and super health as: ‘Just Keep Hoping’, which was the title of her memoir.
Sir William Mulock, the grand old Canadian jurist, lawyer, statesman, and educator, who lived vigorously for more than a century, disclosed his secret of super health and longevity; ‘Live fully and happily. Make good friends and cherish good memories and scorn the passage of time. Keep looking ahead, always ahead for the best of life is always farther on’.
Grandma Moses who was a renowned American painter and lived actively for more than 100 years, revealed the secret of her longevity and extraordinary health; ‘The important thing is keeping busy and being in young company. She also advises keeping laughing always for being healthy.
Dr. Jeremy Walson, professor of geriatric medicine at John Hopkins University school of medicine observed; ‘People who remain active throughout their lifespan, whether that is running, walking or riding bikes live longer’.
Research has shown that people who have a strong purpose in life tend to outlive their peers. Dr. Susan Biali, the author of the famous book ‘Live a Life You Love’, says that pursuing something you love releases chemicals in your brain which will boost your immune system, keep your heart healthy and decrease stress hormones.
14 Top secrets for Super health and Longevity
“People don’t grow old, they become old when they stop growing”, Sankara.
Based on the various studies and researches on the secrets of longevity and super health, one can practically adopt a healthy and positive lifestyle that can help him slow down or reverse aging and achieve super health and extra ordinary longevity. Here, fourteen top secrets have been identified for the practical use of those who long for a healthy and happy long life.
14 Top secrets to reverse aging.
- Exercise regularly: Walking is the best exercise suitable for everybody. Walking for half an hour for 5 days a week is effective for a healthy heart and sharp brain.
- Eat the right food at the right time at the right doze. Eat more vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds lintels, and almonds. Remember 80/20 rules of blue zone people in eating.
- Rejuvenate with Vitamin N.Nurture yourself with nature’s, Remember nature is a magical healer.
- Visual energy. See and enjoy the enchanting vivid colours of nature.
- Sound energy. Listen to the relaxing music of nature.
- Smell energy. Invigorate yourself with the healing aromas of nature.
- Sun energy. Sunshine is your youth tonic.
- Taste energy. The herbal plants and leaves of different tastes are your powerful medicines.
- Touch energy. Barefoot walking, touching and hugging trees are curative. Be in touch with the earth.
- Hydrate: Drink enough water daily (10-15 glass). According to the Blue Zone author Dan Buettner, ‘water is the best longevity beverage on earth’. Water is the elixir of life. Drink water before you become thirsty.
- Perfect Sound sleep.{6-8 hrs}: Getting enough quality sleep in the night is essential for your physical and mental health. Half an hour afternoon nap is highly rejuvenating.
- Humour and Laughter. Unconditional laughter liberates endorphins and helps you to eliminate stress. Have a sense of humour
- Meditate regularly. Do any type of meditation you like for half an hour daily. It calms your mind and purifies your soul.
- Fasting once a week. Fasting will help you to cleanse your system & rejuvenate your body.
- Healthy relations. Maintain healthy and warm relations with your family and friends. Wide social connections and social activities will help you to be happy and healthy.
- The attitude of gratitude. Always maintain an attitude of gratitude. Thank god for the enormous blessings you have received. Express gratitude to those who have helped you.
- Youth awareness. Feel young, think young, look young, act like young and be with young.
- Avoid poisons. Smoking and drinking accelerate aging. ‘Smoking is not only slow-motion suicide but slow-motion homicide too’. Beware of the possible poisons in your food, fruits, and vegetables. Organic farming is recommended.
- Nurturing with positive emotions &positive thinking.
Love changes the chemistry of the brain and influences every cell of the body. Love and service help you to eliminate toxic negative emotions like hatred, revenge, anger, jealousy, greed etc. Always focus on the bright side of your life and visualize a better future.
- Be Spiritual: Spirituality heals and rejuvenates your soul. Improve your spiritual intelligence. Find the meaning and purpose of your life.
As the English writer, Mark Twain said; ‘Age is an issue of mind over matter, if you don’t mind, it does not matter’. You can follow the advice of the famous British philosopher Bertrand Russell; ‘Never have time to notice that you are growing old’. As the American pastor and writer Harry Emerson Fosdick said: ‘It is magnificent to grow old if one keeps young’.
Read More from Dr.John: THE MAGICAL HEALING POWERS OF NATURE
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Dr. JOHN MUZHUTHETTU is a Human Resource Consultant, National Trainer and Counselor. Formerly he was the Deputy Chief Engineer, Kerala State Electricity Board and is still working as an external faculty of HRD Programmes of KSEB. He is also a faculty of Department of Management Studies, Mar Augusthinose College, Ramapuram, under M.G.University, Kerala. He is the PG course co-ordinator of MHRM.
He is columnist in several Magazines, like ‘Business Deepika’, ‘Creative Business’, ‘Donbosco’ etc. His articles have been published in many magazines and journals. His several speeches have been aired by All India Radio. His interviews on various subjects have been telecasted by Power Vision TV . He is the author of five best-selling books:
- ‘Stress-Manassasthra- Aathmeeya Pariharangel’. (Current Books, Thrissur) 4th Edition
- Vijayiyude Vyakthithwam (Current Books, Thrissur)
- Jeevitham Santhushtamakan, Nithya Yauvanam Nedan.(css,Thiruvalla)2ndEdition
- Emotional Intelligence-Jeevithavijayathinu (CSS, Thiruvalla)
- Vijayarahsyangal (Current Books, Thrissur)
As a trainer, he has conducted more than thousand seminars and workshops for teachers, parents, students, executives and others, on several subjects like Stress Management, Time Management, Personality Development, Emotional Intelligence and Spiritual intelligence for Excellence, Communicative Skills, Assertiveness, Motivation, Study Skills, Effective Parenting, Counselling Skills etc. He is an external training faculty of Power Engineers Training and Research Centre of KSEB. He is an external faculty of IMG Cochin. He is also the Secretary of Upasana Cultural Centre, Thodupuzha.
QUALIFICATIONS
- PhD in Psychology
- M.Phil Degree in Psychology
- Masters Degree in Psychology (M.Sc Psy)
- Masters Degree in Human Resource Management (MHRM)
- P.G. Diploma in Guidance and Counselling (PG DGC)
- P.G. Diploma in Yoga (PGDY)
- Degree in Electrical Engineering (B.Sc Engg.)
He is a Human Resource Consultant, National Trainer, and Counselor. Formerly he was the Deputy Chief Engineer, Kerala State Electricity Board and is still working as an external faculty of HRD Programmes of KSEB. He is also a faculty of Department of Management Studies, Mar Augusthinose College, Ramapuram, under M.G.University, Kerala. He is the PG course co-ordinator of MHRM.
He is a columnist in several Magazines, like ‘Business Deepika’, ‘Creative Business’, ‘Donbosco’ etc. His articles have been published in many magazines and journals. His several speeches have been aired by All India Radio. His interviews on various subjects have been telecasted by Power Vision TV.
He is the author of five best-selling books
- ‘Stress-Manassasthra- Aathmeeya Pariharangel’. (Current Books, Thrissur) 4th Edition
- Vijayiyude Vyakthithwam (Current Books, Thrissur)
- Jeevitham Santhushtamakan, Nithya Yauvanam Nedan.(CSS, Thiruvalla)2ndEdition
- Emotional Intelligence-Jeevithavijayathinu (CSS, Thiruvalla)
- Vijayarahsyangal (Current Books, Thrissur)
As a trainer, he has conducted more than a thousand seminars and workshops for teachers, parents, students, executives and others, on several subjects like Stress Management, Time Management, Personality Development, Emotional Intelligence and Spiritual intelligence for Excellence, Communicative Skills, Assertiveness, Motivation, Study Skills, Effective Parenting, Counselling Skills etc. He is an external training faculty of Power Engineers Training and Research Centre of KSEB. He is an external faculty of IMG Cochin. He is also the Secretary of Upasana Cultural Centre, Thodupuzha.
