Dan Buettner is a researcher, author and founder of the Blue Zones®, a company dedicated to creating healthy communities. Along with two other demographers, he discovered 5 places with the highest density of people who live the longest and healthiest (the so-called “Blue Zones”), one of which is Okinawa, Japan. Here are the factors he uncovered that explain their longevity:

1. They have an ikigai (or purpose).
2. They eat mainly plant-based.
3. They eat soy regularly.
4. They emphasize gardening in their culture (a good means of physical activity).
5. Their gardens are dense in plant medicine.
6. They get daily sunshine.
7. They have supportive social networks.
8. They are regularly active.
9. Their attitudes help with resiliency.

For more read the details on the BlueZones blog.