‘Our Cypriot grandparents didn’t know The Magic Number. But they did know the secret to a life well-lived!’
In 1976, Stamatis Moraitis was given six months to live.
His cancer had advanced; the doctors suggested he get his affairs in order, because the end was nigh.
So he packed his things, and left America to spend his last days on earth on the Greek island of Ikaria. Here, in the place he’d been born, he planted vines and trees, knowing he would never live to drink the wine or eat the fruit. He lived simply: reconnecting once more with the land, breathing the sea air, delighting in the warmth of the sun.
And somehow, he forgot to die…
“The days stretched on,” says Miranda Tringis, taking up the tale. “Months became years. And as time passed, his health did not worsen. In fact, it improved. Here, living simply surrounded by nature, what was meant to be Stamatis’ final chapter became a new beginning.
“This,” she adds, “is the premise of ecopsychology. And nowhere is it more important than in Cyprus.”
Ecopsychology, which examines the intricate relationship between humans and nature, is a relatively new discipline. Or at least, newly named.
“We have known of the benefits of nature for years,” explains Miranda, a student of ecopsychology, as well as a professional herbalist and the founder of botanical park CyHerbia. “We talk about forest bathing and grounding and sustainable living – how the natural world is not just a backdrop for human life but an essential part of our psychological makeup.
“Then we hop in our cars and drive to our artificially-lit, air-conditioned offices; spend our evenings on our phones; our weekends staring at the telly. And we wonder why our health is failing.”
Ecopsychology, she reveals, may well be the answer. It’s a field Miranda has been studying for years. Over time, she has seen the benefits first-hand – how reconnecting with nature can reduce stress, improve mental clarity, and even enhance physical health.
But it’s only recently we’ve discovered nature’s Magic Number…
“In 2019, research led by the University of Exeter found that those who spent 120 minutes in nature a week were significantly more likely to report good health and higher psychological wellbeing than those who didn’t,” says Miranda.
“Twenty thousand people were studied: men and women, young and old, all backgrounds and ethnicities and occupations and levels of ability. The results were definitive: surround yourself with nature for two hours or more each week, and your mental, physical and emotional health would improve.
“This,” she adds, “is exactly what happened to Stamatis – the man who forgot to die. When he returned to his ancestral home on Ikaria – one of the world’s Blue Zones, which boast an inordinate number of centenarians – he unknowingly embraced the principles of ecopsychology.
“And he didn’t just survive. He defied his grim prognosis and thrived!”
In the study, positive associations were seen to peak at 200 to 300 minutes per week. But just 120 minutes per week – whether in one go, or several shorter visits – is the magic number.
Quite why two hours is the definitive figure remains unclear. “But at least now we know exactly how much time we need to spend in nature – be it parks, gardens or local green spaces,” says Miranda. “And that’s crucial when we live on an island that’s undergoing massive urbanisation…”
The latest census reports that 67 per cent of the island now lives in urban areas – that’s two in three of us who live surrounded by concrete, rather than by trees, fields, and open spaces.
“It’s just the way it is, and there’s no need to beat yourself up because you spend every day in an office,” Miranda acknowledges. “We all need to put food on the table! But it’s worth remembering our ancestors: though hard in other respects, their lives were lived alongside nature.”
Nature was once an ever-present component of life in Cyprus. Sometimes it was harsh and unforgiving. But it also provided comfort and sustenance; a connection and balance that anchored our ancestors’ daily lives.
“Our Cypriot grandparents didn’t know The Magic Number, but they did know the secret to a life well-lived!” says Miranda. “Two or three generations ago, life in Cyprus mirrored that in the Blue Zones. People ate seasonally, got their exercise just from being outdoors. Heart disease, high cholesterol and diabetes were virtually unknown.”
Over the last decade, Cyprus has seen a sharp increase in issues such as anxiety and depression. Almost 40 per cent of the island is overweight, while 28 per cent are obese. Cardiovascular disease is soaring. Estimates suggest over 10 per cent of adults in Cyprus have diabetes.
Cancer rates in Cyprus’ children are now among the highest in the world. Thyroid cancer in women has risen significantly over the last 25 years. And data from Cyprus’ cancer registry, in operation since 1998, reveals cancer cases are expected to rise 24 per cent by 2035.
“There are many factors contributing to these alarming statistics,” says Miranda. “Diet, lifestyle changes, pollution and even genetics all play a role in the rise of chronic diseases. But one crucial factor that is often overlooked is our disconnection from the natural world…
“When we merely walk past trees – particularly firs and pines – they release phytoncides that make our immune system release cancer-fighting cells. At the beach, the salty air contains concentrations of ions which, when breathed, boost our brain function, lift our mood and lower anxiety!”
What’s particularly great about the principles of ecopsychology is that nobody’s asking you to live on lettuce, run a marathon, or trade in your four-bed in Peyia for an off-grid mud hut.
“To feel the benefits,” Miranda concludes, “you just need to spend two hours a week breathing the Troodos air, walking through Athalassa, or – my personal favourite – swimming or paddle boarding in the Mediterranean. If you look at people living in places like Ikaria, there’s one common factor: they are all spending regular time in nature.
“And this is the lifestyle that saw Stamatis Moraitis live to the ripe old age of 102. When he died peacefully of natural causes.”
