Seeing beyond ourselves: Altruism, Blue zones and the Common good

The widespread phenomenon of family breakdown in the western world is a concerning trend of recent years. Whilst there are many complex and interconnected factors at play, like socioeconomic and political pressures, a largely contributing factor to this trend is the prevalent emphasis on individualism and the ‘self’. 

Although the idea of the self-made individual, driven by ambition and personal achievement, can be empowering, it can also put pressure on individuals to prioritise their own goals and aspirations at the expense of the relationships they have with their loved ones. The result? The breakdown of family cohesiveness that we observe today. Take, for instance, the number of elderly people in care homes as opposed to living with family—this figure has now reached over 400,000 in the UK alone. The altruistic mindset of looking after your loved ones and staying close to them, on the other hand, may be the solution for a more holistic lifestyle and the betterment of the society in which we live.

Due to the current economic climate, it has become increasingly common for young people to remain at home with their parents, though unfortunately, this is more for financial gain than staying close to family. The ability to move out of their parent’s home is one of the first major milestones in success that is measured against young people, but why is this the benchmark? Perhaps as a result, we witness the growing trend of neglect and abandonment of the elderly in the West, who may no longer be able to contribute to the household or society in the same way as younger individuals. This can have serious consequences for the elderly’s well-being and quality of life, as they are left isolated and unsupported, particularly in care homes, where WHO reports that globally 2 in 3 staff have committed abuse over the past year.

In a traditional household, however, it is not uncommon for three or four generations to live under the same roof. This mindset can be traced back to the importance placed on altruism, an inherent characteristic present even amongst many animals. But what distinguishes humans is our increased capacity for altruism and empathy. There are many benefits to this approach, beyond simple financial considerations. Let’s look at ‘blue zones’, for example—areas with an unusually high density of centenarians. There are currently five blue zones that have been postulated: Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Icaria, Greece; Loma Linda, California; and, as the book ‘Ikigai’ explores, Okinawa, Japan. These residents not only live longer than the average population, but they also have fewer chronic illnesses and dementia rates that are significantly lower than the global average.

While diet and a healthy lifestyle are important contributors to longevity, all blue zones have one thing in common: a strong sense of community and belonging fostered by regular social interaction. Social interaction that transcends liking posts and the occasional FaceTime call. When residents of Ogimi, Okinawa, were interviewed, they expressed a strong sense of ‘yuumimaru’—the recognition of human connection. “Talking every day with people you love, that’s the secret to a long life”, one resident says. 

And, while I may not necessarily want to live to the age of 100, the impact of a strong sense of community and camaraderie on our own wellbeing and sense of fulfilment should not be overlooked.

The balance between the pursuit of my professional goals and being able to prioritise the wellbeing of my family is something I have struggled with; a false dichotomy I have previously constructed in my mind is “how do I remain grateful despite always wanting more?”. I’ve reconciled this by turning to my religion for guidance, where this is not a dichotomy at all, but rather a positive feedback in which we should always be grateful for what we have, and striving for more should not take us away from our gratitude; rather, it should increase it. The following verse from the Quran captures this sentiment: ‘And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, “If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favour]” (14:7)’. And in that regard, I view my goals as a means to an end rather than the end point itself. 

As a Muslim, that end is to earn the favour of my creator, which in part comes from providing and caring for my family. By keeping this intention at the forefront of our actions and striving to strike a balance between personal goals and the wellbeing of our loved ones, we can work towards building strong, supportive communities that prioritise the common good.

In considering the wellbeing of others and striving to build strong and supportive relationships, we can create a more harmonious and fulfilling world for ourselves and future generations. The benefits of altruism and looking after one’s family are essential for building strong and supportive communities that can withstand the challenges of the modern world.