The mystery of Okinawa

In Okinawa people live a very long time. They are hardly ever ill. Many people live to be 100 - more people than in other parts of the world. Why? What is their secret?

1 A healthy diet

The Okinawans eat vegetables, fruit, fish, soya, and rice. They usually have seven portions of fruit and vegetables a day. People don't usually drink much alcohol or smoke. They don't eat much meat or fast food.

2 Exercise

Physical activity is very important for the people of Okinawa. Martial arts, walking, traditional dancing, and gardening are very popular with people of all ages.

3 Low stress

In many countries people have healthy diets and do exercise. But the unusual thing about the people in Okinawa is that they are not stressed. They are relaxed and take their time. Buses are hardly ever on time, and people often arrive an hour late for meetings. Every evening hundreds of people, young and old, go to the beach to watch the beautiful sunset. People often meditate to relax.

4 Always active

Another important thing is that people often work until they are 80 - sometimes until 90! In the Okinawa dialect there is no world for 'retired'. They are busy and active all their lives. Old people don't stay at home - they go out and meet friends.
When journalists ask people 'What is the secret of your long life?', they answer 'We are happy, we are always positive, and we are never in a hurry.'