The typical American may struggle to imagine life with no TVs, smartphones, cars, computers or even basic electricity in the house.

But that’s not the only thing the Amish live without. Members are also much less likely to suffer the chronic diseases that have been linked to modern lifestyles.

They are nine times less likely to be obese, which in turn lowers their risk of some of the country’s biggest killers: cancer, heart disease and dementia.

Even rates of mental illnesses are lower. One study estimated the rate of depression among the Amish to be less than one percent compared to about 13 percent of the general population at the time. 

And a 2007 study projected that 10 percent of Amish women experience anxiety compared to 28 percent of the general population.

The small communities are spread mostly throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana numbering around 400,000 people.

They are close-knit and removed from most of the toxins ubiquitous in everyday 21st century life, from processed foods to highway pollution. 

Health researchers have long viewed Amish communities as isolated worlds – unique, self-contained populations that remain essentially unchanged after more than 300 years. 

They lead agrarian lifestyles, with everyone from children to elders working together in fields or small businesses, kitchens and homes, often without modern machinery. 

Experts say this physically active, family-centered way of life fosters deep fulfillment, self worth and enduring mental and physical vitality.

These qualities, which many argue have been eroded, protect the mind against depression and the brain against Alzheimer’s disease, experts say.

Tobacco use in Amish communities is up to 40 percent lower than in the general population, contributing to far fewer tobacco-related cancers.

Rates of cancers, including those linked to tobacco use, were shown in one 2010 study of Ohio Amish communities to be 40 percent lower than non-Amish Ohioans. 

For religious reasons, alcohol consumption is also uncommon – in an Ohio Amish community, just 6 percent of men and under 2 percent of women reported drinking, compared to around 60 to 70 percent of average Americans. 

Researchers have also found some Amish people in Indiana possess a gene mutation that allows them to live 10 percent longer, keeps their blood vessels healthy, and insulin levels low. This mutation reduces levels of a protein called PAI-1, which plays a key role in aging.

Here’s a breakdown of how the truly unplugged lifestyle contributes to good health, according to NIH-funded research and academic studies on Amish cultural and health norms. 

They’re constantly active

Every Amish community member between the ages of 6 and 60 is physically active from sunrise through sunset.

Men and women in an Amish community in Aylmer, Ontario, get between three and 10 hours of vigorous exercise a week and take around 14,000 to 18,000 steps daily – this doesn’t drop off even as they get older.

Compared to children who are not Amish, Lancaster Amish children spend nearly an extra hour each day being active, especially through moderate to vigorous exercise.

They eat from their own land

Amish communities typically eat fresh, chemical-free foods that come from their farms and gardens. 

Butter is churned at home, bread is baked fresh every day, and vegetables are hand-harvested and eaten within four hours of being picked, which locks in more nutrients. 

Dr. Caroline Brock, a sociologist focusing on Amish farming and food systems at the University of Missouri, told the Daily Mail that, ‘In general, more [Amish people] on average would have a small garden with a handful of chickens, a cow.’

Amish families may not grow their own wheat (they buy their flour and other basic necessities), but ‘they’re eating more vegetables from their garden and they spend less money on food on average,’ Dr. Brock said. 

The Amish also tend to avoid sweeteners, only using a tablespoon of honey or maple syrup a day.

Because they cultivate most of their food, Amish communities aren’t exposed to the hidden added sugars, preservatives and food dyes in much of our processed foods. Their produce is also cultivated without the use of carcinogenic chemicals.

Fermented foods are a staple

Amish families regularly eat fermented foods like sauerkraut, pickled vegetables and homemade yogurt.

Many Amish families start meals with three tablespoons of fermented vegetables, which help support digestion and gut health by feeding good bacteria into the digestive system, according to the NIH study. 

A balanced gut microbiome has been linked to stronger immunity, better digestion and lower rates of chronic diseases.

Their biggest meal is at noon

Amish meals are carefully timed to work with the body’s natural circadian rhythms. The largest meal of the day takes place between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., when the sun is highest in the sky. 

In addition to fueling a labor-intensive day, front-loading calories early helps balance energy and digestion. 

Amish folks stick to traditional food prep methods

Instead of relying on processed, shelf-stable foods with harmful additives, Amish communities use canning, pickling and fermenting methods to store their fresh fruits, vegetables and meats.

Canning locks in nutrients at their peak freshness and pickling preserves the food. 

While fermentation both preserves food and can enhance its nutritional value. 

No screen time 

The Amish shun modern technological comforts, navigating without Google Maps and communicating without social media.

Living without TVs, smartphones or computers means fewer hours are spent watching news alerts, seeing advertisements and scrolling social media, which can trigger feelings of anxiety and inadequacy.

Business owners in the community may share a phone with other families or with a non-Amish person, Dr. Brock said, but modern technology is not a daily presence in most Amish people’s lives.  

Numerous studies have shown excessive smartphone use has a deleterious effect on people’s mental health. 

One study on Australian adults measured their phone usage based on a questionnaire that asked them to rate statements like, ‘There are times when I would rather use the smartphone than deal with other more pressing issues.’

People who use their phones a little to a moderate amount had a lower average depression score of 12.1, while those with very high smartphone use had a score of 17.8 – higher scores indicate more severe symptoms of depression.

Minimal exposure to toxins

Without cars, Amish people are exposed to less air pollution, and their reliance on homegrown foods means they avoid the synthetic chemicals, preservatives and additives in most grocery store items.

Growing up on farms, Amish children are also exposed to a mix of natural microbes in soil, animals and fresh air, a factor researchers believe contributes to their low rates of asthma and allergies.

About 5 percent of Amish schoolchildren ages 6 to 14 have asthma, which is about half of the US average (10.3 percent).

Tobacco and alcohol use is extremely rare 

While some Amish men use tobacco, its use overall is far less prevalent compared to non-Amish communities. 

A 2009 study of Amish people living in Ohio found that community members had a 37 percent lower rate of tobacco-related cancers compared to other adults in the state. 

Drinking alcohol is also rare in Amish communities. In one study, just 6.4 percent of men and 1.7 percent of women reported consuming booze.

‘[In the Old Order Amish sect] the communion is twice a year, and they use real alcoholic wine,’ Dr. Brock said. ‘It’s a functional thing. It’s used to preserve food. But they’re not going to drink for drinking’s sake.’ 

Sleep aligns with nature’s clock 

Amish families wake at dawn and turn in after sunset, naturally syncing with circadian rhythms, which makes it easier to fall asleep and wake as daylight changes.

A 2011 study looking into Amish sleep patterns found that members of the community consistently went to bed between 9-10 p.m. and woke up at 5:30 a.m.

Sticking to a consistent sleep schedule has been linked to a lower risk of dying, reduced risk of mood disorders and better heart health.    

Aligning one’s sleep in this way supports better hormone regulation (including melatonin), boosts mood and cognitive function, and reduces the risk of developing metabolic conditions like diabetes.

Amish people value strong community bonds

Amish life is deeply rooted in close-knit family ties, involvement in the church and maintaining in-person connections.

This creates a strong social fabric that provides emotional support and a sense of belonging, which protects against depression and anxiety.

‘Part of why they have the rules around technology that they do is to emphasize labor that they can do together as a family and as a community,’ Dr. Brock said, using a dishwasher as an example. 

‘[Washing dishes] is something that children can do together.’

Daily rituals, such as gathering to share what they are grateful for and community celebrations, keep people’s minds sharp and foster ongoing social interactions, reinforcing mental resilience from a young age.