Blue Zones – Live to 100 years! Lessons From Centurions – The Blue Zone Way
You may have heard about the Blue Zones and / or the Power 9® (Power 9 is a registered trademark of Blue Zones, LLC) . Blue Zones are places around the world where people are recorded to live longer. There are less middle-aged onset of preventable diseases like heart disease and adult onset (type 2) diabetes, and premature death. There are many people recorded in these areas that live into their 100’s (centurions).
These places are:
- Sardinia, Italy
- Okanawa, Japan
- Loma Linda, California, United States
- Ikaria, Greece
- Nicoya, Coast Rica
The “Power 9®” are as follows:
(SOURCE: http://www.davissportsnutrition.com/2012/08/ )
1. Move naturally
De-convenience your home, take the stairs, park farther away from the entrance and grow gardens. Have an errand not far away…walk! Walking is one of the best activities for longevity.
2. Know your purpose
Know why you wake up each day! This alone can add seven years to your life. Be able to articulate your values, passions, gifts and talents.
3. Down shift
Stress leads to chronic inflammation which is associated with every major age-related disease. Find your de-stressor: meditate, nap, pray, or enjoy happy hour.
4. The 80% rule
Cut 20% of your calories with evidence based practices: eat a big breakfast, eat with your family, use 10 inch plates, and stop when you feel 80% full.
5. Plant slant
Eat a plant-based diet that’s heavy on the beans, nuts and green plants.
6. Wine at 5
Moderate drinkers outlive non-drinkers. The trick is to drink 2 or maybe 3 drinks per day and not a drop more.
7. Family first
Living in a loving and thriving family can add six years to your ticker! Invest time in your kids, nurture a monogamous relationship and keep aging parents near by.
8. Belong
It doesn’t matter if you’re Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish or some other religion that meets as a community. Research shows that attending faith-based services four times per month will add 4-14 years of life expectancy.
9. Right tribe
Take stock in who your friends are and extend your social circle to include healthy-minded, supportive people.
In addition to his research, Mr. Buettner wrote a book called ‘The Blue Zone Solution‘. He believes that the lifestyles of the people in the world’s Blue Zones can be adapted and duplicated in towns across North America. As a result, Buettner launched a preventive health care project in the United States called ‘The Blue Zones City Makeovers’. This initiative has impacted the health of millions of Americans in cities like Spencer, Iowa; Albert Lea, Minnesota; and Klamath Falls, Oregon. You can read more about the project at: https://www.bluezonesproject.com/.
I have listened to several TedX talks and interviews of Dan Buettner. Some of his additional insights on his research of Blue Zones and longevity include:
READ MORE: https://www.arespectfullife.com/2017/08/19/live-100-blue-zone-way-centurions/
