Study Unpacks Sardinia’s Secrets to Graceful Aging

Residents of the blue zones region of Sardinia are in the spotlight for mastering the art of aging well. In a new study involving the Italian island, researchers sought to understand just what sets Sardinia apart from neighboring areas with how long they live—curious as to whether it has to do with their lifestyles, mannerisms, or something else. It was published in the International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology.

The researchers studied the lives of 125 Sardinian residents, as well as residents from a non-blue zones location nearby, all between the ages of 71 to 101. Every individual received an at-home visit from the research team, who gathered data on their personalities, mental sharpness, overall health, mental well-being, and hobbies in a quiet space. According to the assessment results, Sardinian locals exhibited better stress management skills and coping mechanisms for tackling daily challenges, which correlates with an overall higher quality of health.

In the aftermath, researchers also found that the locals of Sardinia outscored the non-residents on their open-mindedness to participating in the study itself. They navigated the trial with optimistic curiosity and a willingness to step outside of their comfort zone by trying new things.

Sardinians’ emotional competence scored even higher than non-residents in the study, which meant that they were better able to comprehend others’ feelings while clearly expressing their own. These traits were further exemplified through their daily routines and how they allocated their time: 11.3 hours invested weekly on hobbies, leisure, and activities that stimulated their minds, like reading, whereas the non-residents only invested 6.8 hours on such tasks.

Individuals who exhibited the Big Five personality traits—conscientiousness, agreeableness, openness to the experience, extraversion, and neuroticism—fared better psychologically. As for the Sardinian participants, they checked all five boxes.

In essence, this study provided a more holistic perspective of what encompasses a high quality of life, as exemplified by the residents of the Sardinian blue zones region. The results suggest that a healthy lifestyle is just a fraction of the equation to longevity—our thought patterns, ways of connecting with others, and adaptability to changing socioeconomic conditions all play an important role too.

Johnaé De Felicis is the Founder of Awakened & Wealthy Consulting. She is an avid researcher who champions holistic wellness and conscious living, and she writes research articles, reviews, and think pieces in the areas of health, wellness, and travel/culture. Her published works have been featured on Forbes Health, Well+Good, Healthline, Therapy for Black Girls, and more.