7 Countries With the Healthiest People

By Sara Novak, Planet Green

They live well into their nineties and often times up break the hundred year mark. Their existence is healthy but the underlying reasons are often cultural. In fact, it’s not just that individuals take care of themselves; it’s a country-wide phenomenon that’s based on lifestyle choices.

Why are certain countries home to the world’s happiest, healthiest people on Earth? What do they eat? What daily habits are different from other societies?

I set out to answer these questions and along the way I found some striking similarities between these fit nations, spread far and wide across the globe.

1. Iceland

Due to a smaller population, Iceland is one of the least polluted countries in the world. But clean air isn’t the only reason why Icelanders are so healthy; they also like to hit the gym. Due to chilly weather much of the year, Icelanders workout in order to beat the winter blues. The country enjoys one of the highest life expectancies (72 for men and 74 for women). It also has one of the lowest infant mortality rates at 2 deaths per 1,000 babies. Forbes Magazine ranked it the healthiest country in the world.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Kathy P.

8:47AM PDT on Oct 9, 2012

pretty awesome. and most of these places are cold. brrr.

October 9
send a green star

Don H.

8:19AM PDT on Sep 5, 2012

heather g said, "Last year a study found that people living on a small Micronesian island where the happiest in the world..."

Heather, I find it fascinating that these Micronesians, possibly the people in the world that "own" the fewest personal possessions, were found to be the happiest. Maybe they have no anxiety that they will lose these scant belongings to someone or something. Or, maybe they do not desire new and better possessions because they are simply not aware of new and exiting "things".

September 5
send a green star

Violeta G.

11:14AM PDT on Sep 4, 2012

Nice

September 4
send a green star

Christa D.

8:35PM PDT on Sep 3, 2012

Thanks

September 3
send a green star

Kirsten B.

11:47PM PDT on Sep 1, 2012

Very inspirational - thank you.
I'm most open to new ideas when I just come back from a holiday in a totally different environment (this year it was minimalistic camping in France - only 'cooking' was making the morning coffee on our little gas burner, and we only ate out 4 times ... everything else was cold and repetitive: baguette, tomatoes, peaches ...).
I came back wanting to add more variety and complexity to meals after my little one actually enjoyed 3 of the 4 meals out (last one doesn't count, it was chicken nuggets and plain spaghetti).
Inspiration, inspiration, inspiration! I love it!