In Campodimele they…
Are physically active all day long, working in the fields, tending olive groves, herding sheep and goats, and walking or cycling up and down the steep hillside. They are exposed to plenty of sunshine which keeps their anti-cancer vitamin D levels up.
What we can do:
- Try to take 20 – 60 minutes of exercise daily and get outside in the fresh air and sunlight when possible.
In Campodimele they…
Maintain a sense of faith by worshipping in their local church.
What we can do:
- Explore our own spirituality or observe our chosen faith – this lessens stress and can imbue life with a greater sense of meaning.
In Campodimele they…
Go to bed at dusk and rise at dawn, thus staying in harmony with their circadian rhythms, which helps keep their hormones young. They also get 8 hours’ quality sleep each night.
What we can do:
- Go to bed at the same time each night, preferably before 10pm, as this aids sleep patterns and improves our circadian rhythms and adrenal function. Try to get 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night – if you suffer from insomnia, try to address it with a sleep therapy course, because this can have profound effects on your physical and mental health.
In Campodimele they…
Breathe pristine mountain air.
What we can do:
- Get fresh countryside, sea or mountain air when possible, or go to parks if we live in a city.
In Campodimele they…
Gather in the central piazza, stay close with friends, neighbors and family, and enjoy group activities such as watching performances in their own mini-amphitheatre or organizing challenging cycle races on the mountainous terrain.
What we can do:
- Stay close to friends and/or family and do group activities we enjoy.
In Campodimele they…
Relax and take it easy. Siestas are often taken after lunch in order to rest between bouts of hard physical work. Campodimelani don’t get stressed – a typical response to someone getting stressed is to tell them ‘con calma’ – which translates roughly as ‘take it easy.’
What we can do:
- We can also instruct ourselves to “take it easy” when we find ourselves getting stressed. Deep breathing, cat naps and meditation all help to lower stress levels during those high blood pressure moments.
