What Other Cultures Can Teach Us About Longevity and Healthy Living
Netflix recently released a documentary titled Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones and I could not have been more excited. My fascination with Blue Zones began a few years ago when I stumbled upon this concept. Blue Zones are extraordinary regions around the world where people enjoy longer lives than the global average, with an incredible concentration of centenarians – people who reach the age of 100.
The term “Blue Zones” was coined by Dan Buettner, a National Geographic Explorer and journalist. His discovery of the Blue Zones started in Okinawa, Japan, where he noticed that its residents were living longer but also maintaining a higher quality of life. Buettner’s journey, with the support of National Geographic, led him and his team of scientists and demographers to travel around the world in search of similar communities. They termed these regions of the world “Blue Zones” based on the blue circles they used to mark these cities on their maps.
During their search, they discovered five remarkable Blue Zones:
Okinawa, Japan
Sardinia, Italy
Loma Linda, California, USA
Ikaria, Greece
Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
What is the secret behind the extended lives of Blue Zone residents?
Blue Zones share the following commonalities that contribute to the longevity of their community members.
Healthy Diet
Residents from Blue Zones typically follow plant-rich diets, filled with antioxidants, fiber, and healthy fats. Take the Nicoya Peninsula, for example, where the main diet includes beans, squash, and corn – often referred to as the three sisters due to their comprehensive nutritional profile. In Ikaria, communities eat the Mediterranean diet, which is often celebrated for its numerous health benefits.
Physical Activity
Blue Zone inhabitants also lead active lifestyles. Physical activity is deeply ingrained in their daily routines. In Loma Linda, the strong presence of Seventh-Day Adventists highlights this Blue Zone’s commitment to health and wellness. Seventh-Day Adventists are a Protestant Christian denomination with a belief that maintaining one’s health strengthens one’s connection to God. In addition to internal reasons to maintain a physically active lifestyle, some of these Blue Zones have physical environments that necessitate it. In Sardinia, the city landscape’s inclines and stairs require residents to engage in regular exercise, ensuring that the community remains active.
Social Connections
Community and social connections hold immense importance in these regions. When people have strong social bonds and a deep sense of belonging, they have better health outcomes. In Okinawa, they embrace a concept called moai, wherein social support groups provide various forms of social assistance to each other. Similarly, in Loma Linda, the communities come together to partake in volunteering, strengthening social ties. In Ikaria, families unite in nightly celebrations and dances, further solidifying bonds between one another. Maintaining in-person celebrations with one another fosters a sense of community and belonging in Blue Zones.
Limited Stress
Chronic stress has negative impacts on one’s health. In Loma Linda, the Seventh-Day Adventist community’s religious doctrine encourages them to rest on the seventh day, allowing them to restore both their body and mind while strengthening their spiritual connection. In Okinawa, practices such as traditional tea ceremonies and tending to gardens provide calming and relaxing experiences. In Ikaria, daytime naps among older residents enhance their mood and cognitive function. These types of activities foster relaxation and low-stress lifestyles.
Sense of Purpose
Blue Zone communities recognize the wisdom and contributions of their older members. As a result, older residents feel a deep sense of purpose. In Okinawa, the concept of ikigai, meaning ‘purpose’ is central to life. It is often translated as that which makes life worth living, encompassing hobbies, travel, and self-realization pursuits. In the Nicoya Peninsula, they follow a concept known as plan de vida, which translates directly as ‘life plan.’ It is not a written document but rather a cultural mindset that values simplicity, social connections, healthy living, and their role in their community.
The allure of Blue Zones lies in their portrayal of how diverse cultures around the world share similar practices that lead to something truly extraordinary – people not only surviving past 100 but actively thriving and savoring life.
While globalization has been instrumental in sharing the valuable lessons from Blue Zones with the rest of the world, it’s important to acknowledge the reverse effect it can have. The encroachment of fast-food restaurants and the adoption of unhealthy nutrition habits, such as sugary cereals for breakfast, are disrupting these traditional ways of life. Sadly, as the documentary illustrates, the once-abundant Blue Zone in Okinawa is dwindling, and obesity rates are on the rise.
Preserving these unique cultures and learning from them is of great importance. As countries across the globe grapple with poor public health outcomes like obesity or chronic stress, we must make a concerted effort to absorb the wisdom of Blue Zones rather than the opposite. Our journey of cultural discovery has only just begun, and by embracing the insights of the Blue Zones, we can enrich our own communities and lead healthier, longer, and more fulfilling lives.