NINE PRINCIPLES
OF BLUE ZONES
THERE ARE NINE COMMON DENOMINATORS AMONG THE FIVE KNOWN BLUE ZONES AROUND THE WORLD. THEY ARE:
1
MOVE NATURALLY
Living in a blue zone is a great way to stay active and healthy! Incorporating physical activity into your daily routine can help you stay fit and energized.
2
PURPOSE
The Okinawans call it ikigai and the Nicoyans call it plan de vida. Knowing why you wake up in the morning makes you healthier, happier, and adds up to seven years of extra life expectancy.
3
DOWN SHIFT
Stress is part of life. People who live to 100, however, build stress-relieving rituals into their daily routines. Okinawans take a few moments each day to remember their ancestors, Adventists pray, Ikarians take a nap and Sardinians do happy hour.
4
EAT 80%
Don’t overindulge in food. Stop eating when your stomach is 80% full. To cut 20% of your calories, eat from a smaller plate.
5
PLANT-BASED
Sardinians enjoy a variation of the Mediterranean Diet, which includes lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, goat’s milk, and olive oils. Meat is consumed on special occasions.
6
SPIRITS @ 5
Long-lived people drink plenty of water and enjoy a glass of wine OR SPIRIT with a light dinner. Moderate drinkers outlive non-drinkers. The trick is to drink 1-2 glasses per day (preferably Sardinian Cannonau wine), with friends and/or with food. And no, you can’t save up all week and have 14 drinks on Saturday.
7
RIGHT TRIBE
Keep old friends and make new ones. Participating regularly in social activities protects against the harmful physical and emotional consequences of social isolation. The world’s longest lived people chose–or were born into–social circles that supported healthy behaviors, Okinawans created ”moais”–groups of five friends that committed to each other for life.
8
LOVED ONES FIRST
Close family ties across generations leads to children, grandchildren and extended family honouring and supporting older adults throughout their lives.
9
BELONG
Most centenarians that researchers talked to belonged to a faith-based community. Practicing meditation or yoga is another way to shut down mind chatter and get in touch with your spiritual side.