using a page for index page

See Creating_a_Static_Front_Page.

First, make a new page called ‘blog’ or ‘posts’ or something, with a matching slug. You don’t have to do anything else with it.

Then go to Settings, then Reading.

For “Front page displays” choose static page, then select the page you want as your front page. Then for your posts page select the blog/posts page you created.

Afterwards you’ll just need to change some old links to direct to your posts page instead of front page.

Cheers!