Living Well and Long: Lessons From the Blue Zones

Text by Chanintr Sirisant

If you’ve ever dreamed of unlocking the secrets to living a long, vibrant life, look no further than the “Blue Zones” identified by Dan Buettner. These five pockets around the globe have given rise to some of the highest concentrations of centenarians on the planet.

After studying the lifestyle habits of these long-living populations, Buettner has distilled nine powerful principles that can help all of us add on a few years. From moving naturally throughout the day to prioritizing a mostly plant-based diet, the Blue Zones remind us that longevity is about cultivating an environment that nudges us toward better choices.

Okinawa, Japan is one such Blue Zone. The Okinawans follow the principle of “Hara Hachi Bu” which encourages eating until you’re 80% full. This allows them to naturally portion their meals and avoid overeating. Their diet is also high in nutrient-rich vegetables like purple potatoes and bitter melons.

On the Greek island of Ikaria, tight-knit communities, daily gardening and a Mediterranean diet high in olive oil create an environment that wards off diseases. Neighbors look out for one another and put “family first,” surrounding themselves with a strong social network proven to reduce stress.

In Loma Linda, California, a community of Seventh-day Adventists has achieved Blue Zone status by centering their lives around faith and putting family ahead of work. Their vegetarian diet also helps minimize inflammation linked to aging.

Nicoya, Costa Rica and Sardinia, Italy round out the Blue Zones. In Nicoya, people keep active by doing chores and tending to gardens and farms well into their later years. The Sardinians prioritize staying mobile by walking long distances and doing hard work like chopping wood.

FROM DESIGNING NEIGHBORHOODS THAT PROMOTE WALKING TO GROWING KITCHEN GARDENS, THESE BLUE ZONES TEACH US THAT IF WE DESIGN HOMES AND LIVING SPACES THAT ENCOURAGE QUALITY TIME WITH LOVED ONES, NATURAL MOVEMENT AND EASY ACCESS TO WHOLE PLANT FOODS, WE CAN CREATE OUR OWN BLUE ZONE ENVIRONMENTS. IT IS GREAT TO SEE MANY MORE DEVELOPERS FEATURE MULTI-GENERATIONAL LIVING SPACES, CLUSTER HOMES, MORE GREEN AREAS AND GARDENING INTO THEIR PRODUCTS.

The Blue Zones remind us that the keys to thriving don’t require radical overhauls — often it’s the small, sustainable shifts in our surroundings and micro-patterns that open the door to living well.

Make sure to take a break from streaming aimlessly to streaming for longevity by watching “Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones” on Netflix, it may be the first step that adds years to your life.

NETFLIX.COM