Blue Zones Explained

Blue Zones Explained

Ever heard of Blue Zones? What the heck are they anyway?

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I’ve been learning about them lately. Very fascinating stuff! To start with, here is the official mission statement and their values from their website.

“Informed and inspired by the world’s longest-lived cultures, we help people live longer, better lives by improving their environment...

• We believe that routine natural movement throughout the day contributes to longevity.

• We believe that a plant-slant diet leads to a longer, healthier life.

• We believe that relationships with family, friends, and people of faith lengthen lifespans.

• We believe that a strong sense of purpose in life leads to longevity.”

National Geographic journalist Dan Buettner spent years studying each culture, pinpointing the exact reasons why they thrived before publishing his findings in the best selling book, The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who’ve Lived the Longest. Buettner found that despite the geographical differences, people living in the Blue Zones all had nine key lifestyle habits in common, which he named the “Power 9.” 

In the US, the average life expectancy is 78 years. But there are a few places in the world—specifically Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; and Icaria, Greece—where living to be over 100 isn’t uncommon at all. In these regions, known as Blue Zones, the life expectancy isn’t just higher; centenarians are generally healthy, their minds and bodies still working well.

Power of 9 lifestyle habits:

(If you are viewing on your phone try turning your phone to landscape position to see slideshow captions)

1. Move naturally

Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise 3 times a week, minimum. Even if it is just taking stairs rather than the elevator, or parking farther away from the store or office and walking. If you can get out in nature and walk, it is even more beneficial.

2. Have a larger purpose

Have a clear sense of why you wake up in the morning. Purpose is related to happiness and happiness is associated with better health. Having a reason to get out of bed every morning is connected to living a long, healthy life.

3. Manage your stress

chronic stress is terrible for your health. (Read more)

4. Eat until you are 80% full

Stop eating when you are mostly full, not when you are stuffed. Also, eat your biggest meal in the late afternoon or early evening. Scientific research has shown that eating late at night is linked to unhealthy weight gain.

5. Stick to a mostly plant diet

People in Blue Zones tend to eat a diet that’s primarily plant-based, consuming meat only a few times a month on special occasions. (You have definitely heard that from me before!) Processed foods and added sugar have never shown to have a health benefit.

6. Moderate alcohol consumption

One to two glasses a day with friends and food. Wine would be a good choice!

7. Find your community

A sense of family and community is important in all of the Blue Zones communities.

8. Stay close with family

In Blue Zones, families tend to stay close both geographically and emotionally. Healthy aging requires a close network of friends and family who share their health goals and values.

9. Maintain a fulfilling social life

People in Blue Zones areas not only have supportive families and communities, they actively participate in them. For some, faith may be the cornerstone of their social life, finding both comfort and camaraderie through a shared beliefs system.

They have now applied the tenets of the Blue Zones in over 40 cities throughout the U.S., significantly improving health and lowering healthcare costs. They use an innovative, systematic, environmental approach to well-being that optimizes policy, urban and building design and social networks. 

You can learn more about their projects, take a longevity test, a happiness test, even sign up for the Blue Zones life challenge on their website. They have meal planners and recipes!

I have been saying a lot of these same things in my previous blog posts. Now you don’t have to just take my word for it! There is science behind it!

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Want to know how to get more plants into your diet?

Want to find a healthy, supportive community of like-minded people? Watch this.

Let’s start our own Blue Zones type community right here! Let’s connect and talk about how we can impact those closest to us, the ones we love and want to spend the most time with! If I can live to be 100 as a happy and healthy member of my family and community, I’m all in!  In fact, I am already well on my way! Want to join me?

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