A permanent youth may seem unachievable. Humanity hasn’t found a miraculous means to halt natural aging. However, science can still surprise us. Due to the hard work of specialists in different spheres, we can slow the time down.

The scientists studying our brain and body claim that we were born to live for almost a century. To be more precise, it is 90 years. Paradoxically, the life length of an average American is 78 years. This means that there are potentially 12 "bonus" years we lose. How can we get back all these years of happiness? The key lies in the experience of people who have already discovered the positive effects of a healthy life and implemented the necessary habits to obtain them.

There is a term to learn about such individuals – *Blue Zones*. These are particular geographical regions where people, due to healthy lifestyle choices, live much longer than others. Such regions include Sardinia in Italy, Okinawa in Japan, the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica, Ikaria in Greece, and Loma Linda in California.

To unravel their secrets of aging gracefully, a team of experts systematically interviews residents of these Blue Zones. The first area for conducting research was the mountainous Barbagia area of Sardinia. A distinctive characteristic of its population is the number of 100-year-old people. It’s 6,6 times more than in the USA. Approximately one in 600 people reach the age of 100, while in the US, it’s one in 4,000. The only common feature of long-livers is getting close to nature. Longevity isn't about just a bunch of specific vitamins or rigorously planned exercise routines.

The wisdom of the world's Blue Zones shows us that the key to a longer life lies in maintaining sustainable, health-promoting habits. Now, let’s explore the first important factor – physical activity.