Man who 'cheated death' for almost 40 years because of scientific 'blue zone' shares best advice for a long life

A man who lived four decades longer than doctors predicted has shared some advice on living a long and healthy life.

Stamatis Moraitis was diagnosed with lung cancer back in 1976 and at the time, he was given between six and nine months to live.

While he initially lived in the US, after his diagnosis he decided to move to the Greek island of Ikaria, where he could 'start drinking wine and wait for the day' he died.

However, Moraitis ended up living for another four decades and has some firm beliefs about why he outlived his prognosis.

What is a 'blue zone'?

Ikaria in Greece has often been described as a 'blue zone' in which people live longer than the average life expectancy.

A blue zone is a region in which people are said to have healthier lives, with lower rates of chronic illness and a longer life expectancy.

Moraitis passed away in 2013 aged 102, but before he died he had some advice on living a long and healthy life.

Moraitis lived 40 years longer than doctors predicted (BBC)

Moraitis' secret to a long life

According to Moraitis, he put his health and recovery down to clean air, good food and a stress-free life on the island.

Ikaria isn't the only 'blue zone', in fact there are four other places that have also been given this impressive title.

They are:

• The Okinawa Prefecture in Japan
• Nucor Province in Sardinia
• Loma Linda in California
• The Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica

One woman has previously revealed what it's like to live in one of the blue zones, with business coach Martha Pierce, originally from Colorado, US, moving to Saint Theresa in Costa Rica.

Ikaria is a blue zone (Getty Stock Photo)

"I generally understand the diet, the lifestyle, the approach. In many ways, I already lived those traits," she told Business Insider.

"People here have a much more relaxed approach to life. People are way less stressed. It's obvious.

"I'm less stressed too. I'm noticing a sense of more fulfilment. As Americans, and for me personally, I felt like I was always reaching for something, looking for the next client, the next revenue, the next milestone.

"And here, there's a sense of contentment and an experience of community that feels quite different."

Pierce also spoke about the biggest adjustment she'd made since moving, adding: "The biggest adjustment has been adjusting to the attitude of the people here. You don't realize you're stressed when you're around a whole bunch of other people who are also stressed.

"The speed at which things move here is just slightly slower. I definitely feel more relaxed."