What is a Blue Zone?
I’ve recently have been reading about Blue Zones. A Blue Zone is an area on the planet where people experience great quality of life with healthy food and live upwards of 100 years. A journalist named Dan Buettner along with demographic specialist Michael Poulain teamed up with the National Geographic Society to seek out areas of longevity around the world. As a fun side fact, the name Blue Zone came about when someone had used a blue ink pen to circle the locations they found.
Locations
This team discovered five locations (Sardinia, Italy, Ikaria, Greece, Loma Linda, California, Okinawa, Japan, and Nicoya, Costa Rica) that had an inordinately large population of people aged 85 and older who lived independently, remained physically active, and retained their health and quality of life. What’s their secret?
The Power 9
Their research revealed nine common lifestyle features, the Power 9, leading to longevity.
Move Naturally – The longest living people aren’t found in gyms or fitness classes. The live in environments naturally encouraging them to move daily. Growing gardens, using hands-on versus mechanical cooking methods, and walking to work or social occasions are normal aspects of living.
Purpose – This single word refers to “why I wake up in the morning”. Living life is more than just work and the paycheck. Having a sense of purpose is much greater than any job.
80% Rule – This concept relates to food consumption. Those living in Blue Zones often stop eating when their stomachs are 80% full. These people have a connection to their bodies to know when they’ve eaten enough. That 20% difference from feeling full to versus not hungry potentially could be the tipping point of gaining or losing weight. Generally, the people eat light in the afternoon or early evening, and their next meal is breakfast the next day. Overall, they are eating less.
Plant Slant – Beans rule in all Blue Zones. Meat, usually pork, is eaten roughly 5 times/ month and in limited quantities, about 3-4 ounces per serving.
Wine at 5 – Consistently in all Blue Zones, they drink alcohol in moderation with the exception being in Loma Linda, CA, where their religious beliefs lean them away from alcohol. Moderate drinkers are documented to live longer than non-drinkers. The Zone folks typically drink 2 drinks/day usually in a social setting or with their meals. None binge drink.
Right Tribe – Those living beyond 80 years in Blue Zones choose or are born into social circles that pivot towards healthier lifestyles and behaviors. The lifestyle habits are contagious, such as smoking, obesity, loneliness, or happiness. The people who live the longest seem to have a strong social network that share healthier lifestyle habits.
Community – The majority of those living to be 100 years old attend faith-based services. Denomination was irrelevant. Being part of a like-minded community adds to their positive habits.
Loved Ones First – Families are prioritized in the lives of centenarians in Blue Zones. Multiple generations live in or nearby within their community, which seems to keep everyone healthier. Committing to life partners and investing in their children with time an love leads to longer and more fulfilling lives…quality of life. These behaviors also set into place the future caregivers when needed.
This list speaks for itself. What isn’t listed is compelling. Working 80 hour work weeks and over-scheduling daily activities while pulling into the drive-thru for fast food is nowhere to be found. For most of us, the Power 9 sounds sublime and relaxing, but in the United States, it’s far from reality.
Small Pivots
Plenty of information is published on the Blue Zones including examples of communities transitioning to be more “Blue Zone” like. Two places in the US took up the challenge, Albert Lea, MN and Manhattan Beach, CA. Working with townspeople , The Blue Zone team devised a strategic and well-planned series of pivots to transform these towns over time. The key to their success was making small changes that didn’t rock the boat too much over a period of time eventually developed into daily habits. The results were remarkable. The residents weren’t thrown into a whirlwind of change; they were introduced to new ways in digestible doses making them easier to embrace.
What deeply resonates with me is the transformation was a community effort encouraging everyone to participate regardless of their situation. Each person met themselves where they were and decided to pivot in small ways over time.
Let’s Get Started
Life in the US has progressively become more complicated and over-scheduled without logic. Stress and poor eating habits are routinely and thoughtlessly accepted. It’s time to slow down and have a look at your situation. Be compassionate as opposed to berating. Imagine if one thing that improve your physical health, attitude, or relationship around you could be different. It begins with awareness. Intuitively, you know, but your need to stop, briefly and notice what’s happening around you. Does it make sense? Or could it change, just a little? You decide.