The Blue Zones: Learning from the World's 5 Longevity Hotspots Part 2
“Recently I’ve been hearing about the “Blue Zones”—regions of the world that have the highest rates of centenarians in the world. What are their secrets, and how can I incorporate them into my lifestyle? ”
Dear Eager to Make Healthy Changes,
Last week I shared three of the nine essential longevity lifestyle habits that people in all Blue Zone share—called The Power Nine. Today, I would like the share the next three habits with you!
A quick recap of the habits that we covered last week (see that post for details):
Move Naturally
Hara Hachi Bu
Plant Slant
Just like the three mentioned above, the following lifestyle habits are also things you can begin incorporating today for a longer and healthier life!
Lesson 4: Drink Red Wine in moderation! (unless your doctor has told you not to consume alcohol)
Most people in the Blue Zones drink alcohol moderately with friends and/or food.
This can help with stress, and also has some added health benefits:
Red wine contains flavonoids (also found in dark chocolate or brightly colored fruits and vegetables), which reduce the incidence of certain cancers and heart disease.
One or two glasses (depending on your size) of red wine a day is the most you need to take advantage of the health benefits. Overdoing it will negate the benefits, so make sure you drink in moderation!
Try treating yourself to a “Happy Hour” with a glass of wine and a heart-healthy appetizer such as nuts.
Lesson 5: Purpose Now
More Americans die in the first year of retirement than in the last year of work. This suggests that living without a purpose can be extremely harmful to our health.
We all need a motivation to get out of bed in the morning:
The Nicoyans all have a “plan de vida”—a plan for their life that doesn’t just end once they’re in their 60s or 70s.
Okinawans call this their “ikigai”, or reason for being.
A fulfilling life includes 3 different aspects of happiness: pleasure + immersion (or “flow”) + meaning.
Try crafting a personal mission statement. Consider what you are passionate about, how you enjoy using your talents, and what is truly important to you (see our previous post on “ikigai”).
Lesson 6: Downshift
We all know that stress takes a toxic toll on our health and well-being. In all five Blue Zones, people find ways to reduce and relieve stress not just for the moment but as a way of life:
In Sardinia, stress is kept in check by a sense of community and a good sense of humor.
In Loma Linda, the Sabbath is a time to relax and downshift.
Okinawans live in the present moment without lamenting the past or worrying about the future.
Minimize the amount of stressful “clutter” in your life by reducing time spent with television, radio, and the internet.
Avoid mind-wandering, which occurs when people aren’t happy with whatever they’re currently doing and leads to additional stress. Stay in the present moment.
Try to establish a regular meditation habit—even if it’s just for 10 minutes a day.
I would also highly recommend reading The Blue Zones Solution by Dan Buettner for more in-depth information about each of the Blue Zones as well as many recipes you can try at home.
Sources
The Blue Zones Solution by Dan Buettner
The Blue Zones: 9 Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who’ve Lived the Longest