IF YOU’VE heard of the famed Blue Zones, you probably know that the regions producing the longest living people are in Italy, Greece, Costa Rica, California and Japan.
But you might not have heard of the world’s newest Blue Zone, where life expectancy has grown by 20 years since 1960 and the number of centenarians doubled in the last decade.
This is none other than Singapore, an island country in Southeast Asia.
Author and National Geographic fellow Dan Buettner, who pioneered the concept of Blue Zones after studying these regions’ inhabitants, said the newest addition to the category is different to Sardinia, Ikaria, Nicoya, Loma Linda and Okinawa.
While these five spots have organically cultivated their longevity-boosting lifestyle over many years, Dan describes Singapore as a ‘engineered Blue Zone’ that has produced centenarians through policy changes.
As such, the lessons learned from this city state will be different than other Blue Zones.
Here are five practices Singaporeans swear by for a longer life, according to Dan.
1. Live safely
For Singaporeans, feeling safe and secure in the place you live is one the keys to longevity.
To ensure that, Dan suggested picking “a neighbourhood with well-lit streets, free of graffiti”.
He also suggested joining a neighbourhood watch group and making “a point to know your neighbours at least three doors down on each side of your home”.
Knowing and feeling comfortable with those who live around you can also help combat loneliness, which according to Dan is another top risk factor for a shorter life.
He told Fortune why solitude is linked to where you live: “Loneliness is largely a function of environment. If you live in a cul de sac in the suburbs, and especially if you don’t like your neighbours, you’re very unlikely to serendipitously run into someone and have a conversation.”
2. Stick to your values
Everybody will have different ideas and values they stand by, but Dan said finding these and crafting your life around is an essential component of Singaporean life.
The way he puts it is quite simple: “Take time to know your values and let them guide you in choosing a place to live, a social network, and a job. If your family is a priority, try to live near them. If you love to work with your hands, don’t get a job in an office.”
So it’s all about making simple changes to your lifestyle and routine that will in the long run make you happier .
This also relates to having a purpose in life, which is a fixture for inhabitants of the five other Blue Zones.
Okinawans call this “Ikigai” and the Nicoyans call it “plan de vida”, which roughly translates to “why I wake up in the morning”, according to Dan.
3. Find your people
Another key to longevity, according to Dan, is finding your tribe.
For Dan, this is all about the activities you choose to immerse yourself in.
“Join a club, get involved at church, double down on your family, be the best sports fan you can,” he said.
4. Ensure access to health care
Singapore’s healthcare system is geared towards optimising elders’ health-span by preventing chronic disease in their final years, Dan told Fortune.
Hospitals have outreach programs that dispatch nurses into the community to help residents get free screenings and cook healthier meals.
Many Singaporeans take care that they’ll be adequately covered by health insurance should their health decline.
As Dan puts it: “It’s hard to live happily if you’re not healthy. Knowing that you’ll get good care if you get sick removes one of the main stressors in life.”
5. Eat the Singaporean way
You don’t need to move to Singapore to implement’s some of the island’s diet staples.
Locals eat a diet rich in calcium-packed dark green vegetables and bone-in fish.
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They also eat plenty of whole grains and get their protein from sources like tofu.
Most locals won’t drink very much, due high alcohol taxes in the region. Instead, their beverage of choice is kopi, a highly caffeinated coffee brew.