In the US, the average life expectancy is 78 years. But there are a few places in the worldspecifically Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; and Icaria, Greecewhere living to be over 100 isnt uncommon at all. In these regions, known as Blue Zones, the life expectancy isnt just higher; centenarians are generally also healthy, their minds and bodies still working well.
National Geographic journalist Dan Buettner spent years studying each culture, pinpointing the exact reasons why they thrived before publishing his findings in the best selling book, The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Whove Lived the Longest.Buettner found that despite the geographical differences, people living in the Blue Zones all had nine key lifestyle habits in common, which he named the Power 9. Here, each pillar is explained, with input from doctors about why its so crucially connected to health and longevity. Keep reading for the complete intel, including how to apply the pillars to your own life.
Buettner found that in all the Blue Zones communities, movement was a regular part of daily life for the residents. The Longevity Plan author John Day, MD saw this first-hand as well when he spent a year living in remote China. Even in their advanced age, he saw centenarians working in the fields and throughout the village.
Of course, here in the States, our jobs are a lot more sedentary. But Dr. Day still says we can work this pillar into everyday life. Unfortunately, our modern lifestyles have been engineered in a way to take movement out of our lives, so it is up to us to get in as much as we can during the day, he says. For example, you could take a vow to never use an elevator or escalator again unless the stairs are restricted. Other options include an evening walk or doing everything possible to avoid having to use a car. Even vacations can be scheduled in a way that are physically active, like a vacation centered around skiing, hiking, or cycling.
Richard Honaker, MD, who works with Your Doctors Online, echoes this saying, The more exercise you can fit into your day, the better. Even walking is good for your health. His recommendation is to aim for a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise three times a week. This is the bare minimum amount of exercise to do that will benefit your health, he says.
Having a clear sense of why you wake up in the morning is connected to living a long, healthy life. Purpose is related to happiness, and happiness is associated with better health than sadness or indifference, Dr. Honaker says.
Dr. Day adds that the connection between the mind, health, and a sense of purpose is powerful. Whether your goal is to beat cardiovascular disease or cancer, or even to live a long and healthy life, study after study has found an association of purpose in life with all kinds of better health outcomesan effect that stands regardless of age, sex, education or race, he says. You have to have a reason to get out of bed every morning. Something that pushes and motivates you. For without purpose it is next to impossible to maintain the healthy behaviors and lifestyle that is conducive to a long and healthy life.
PSA: Chronic stress is terrible for your health, which is why stress management is one of the pillars for living a long, healthy life. We all have stress. The key is how you perceive your stress, Dr. Day says. If you view stress as something that is making you stronger or refining you then it can be a good thing. If you view stress as something destructive then it probably is.
During his time in China, he saw that simple lifestyle habits such as eating nourishing foods, being physically active, getting good sleep, and socializing with family and neighbors all helped negate the stress the townspeople experienced, showing that the pillars are intertwined and connected to each other.
Here in the States, generous, oversized portions of food are valued greatly. But in Blue Zones, Buettner found that people stopped eating when they were mostly full, not when they finished everything on their plate or were too stuffed to eat another bite. He also observed that the biggest meal of the day occurred in late afternoon or early evening, not right close to bedtime. Scientific research has shown that eating late at night is linked to unhealthy weight gain, which isnt exactly great for lifespan.
Speaking of Blue Zones, heres what to know about the expert-loved Mediterranean diet:
While were on the subject of food, people in Blue Zones tend to eat a diet thats primarily plant-based, consuming meat only a few times a month on special occasions. Processed foods and added sugar have never shown to have a health benefit. Cutting them out is 90 percent of a a healthy diet right there, Dr. Day says. [In Chinas longevity village], they picked their own produce and ate it the same day. And since they were essentially cut off from the rest of the world, they didnt have any access to sugar or processed foods. He also adds that they ate fish about twice a week, which of course brings to mind the Mediterranean diet, a long-beloved eating plan by doctors and dietitians.
Across Blue Zones, Buettner observed that alcohol was consumed, but moderately, at one to two glasses a day, with friends or food. This makes sense, as light to moderate drinking (particularly of wine) has been associated with a longer lifespan. According to a 2017 333,000-person, eight-year analysis, those who enjoyed an occasional drinkseven or less per week, to be exactwere 20 percent less likely to die of any cause and 25 percent to 30 percent less likely to die of cardiovascular disease than those who were completely sober. The key, of course, is to be mindful.
A sense of family and community is important in all Blue Zones communities, which Dr. Honaker says has been directly linked to health. Many studies have shown lower rates of hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and possibly even cancer for people with lots of friends and loving relationships in their lives, he says.
Dr. Day observed first-hand how belonging affected the health of the people in Chinas longevity village. Our research showed that as long as people stayed in the village and adopted the village lifestyle, they were healthy and aging was slowed, he says. However, if they left for employment in one of the big cities in China then their health suffered.
Similarly, in Blue Zones, families tend to be close, both geographically and emotionally. Younger generations value and help care for older ones. Dr. Day says that healthy aging requires a close network of friends and family who share their health goals and values, not something people can do on their own. This may too be related to a sense of belonging. This may be in part to the healthy lifestyles happy people adopt along with other factors we cannot measure, Dr. Honaker says.
People in Blue Zones areas not only have supportive families and communities, they actively participate in them. For some, faith may be the cornerstone of their social life, which Dr. Honaker says can provide both comfort and camaraderie through a shared beliefs system. As with purpose, study after study suggests that having a faith may increase longevity, Dr. Days says of this connection, adding that faith often involves frequent social gatherings. Another study published in 2016 emphasizes the importance of even casual social relationships when it comes to longevity.
Heres more intel on exactly how relationships impact your health. Plus, why chili peppers are linked to longevity.
View post:
The longest-living people in the world have these 9 things in common - Well+Good
- 107 Years of Grace: Mary Pilgrim on love & longevity - WFLA - May 5th, 2024
- A 100-year-old musician shares the secrets of his longevity - Business Insider - May 5th, 2024
- I tried the longevity regime and felt its benefits in days - The Telegraph - May 5th, 2024
- Winter Haven woman celebrating 107th birthday shares her secret to longevity - FOX 13 Tampa - May 5th, 2024
- Livermore Falls woman, 96, says the key to her longevity is living a healthy life - Lewiston Sun Journal - May 5th, 2024
- Why ovaries are so crucial to women's health and longevity - National Geographic - May 5th, 2024
- How to lead a meaningful and positive second half of life. - Psychology Today - May 5th, 2024
- A longevity revolution is coming. Heres how those over 100 are making the most of their lives - The Guardian - May 5th, 2024
- Jeff Bridges credits wife, 48-year marriage with his longevity - Business Insider - May 5th, 2024
- Rare Longevity Mutation Linked to Unexpected Cardiovascular Benefits - SciTechDaily - May 5th, 2024
- We should stop using the term 'reverse aging,' scientists say - Business Insider - May 5th, 2024
- Expert Opinions on Inflammaging and Aging Rapid Effects, Soothing Benefits, Longevity, Anti-senescence and More - Cosmetics & Toiletries - May 5th, 2024
- Are We Talking About Health and Longevity All Wrong? - InsideHook - May 5th, 2024
- The importance of longevity literacyand managing the risksin retirement - Insurance News Net - May 5th, 2024
- Inside the longevity lab that aims to help people live longer - TODAY - February 27th, 2024
- I'm a longevity expert these are the 4 supplements I take every day to fight aging - New York Post - February 27th, 2024
- The Longest Living People In the World All Abide by the 'Power 9' Rule - GQ - February 27th, 2024
- Im a longevity expert and there's six things you should do daily if you want to live longer' - Daily Record - February 27th, 2024
- Reducing the metabolic burden of rRNA synthesis promotes healthy longevity in Caenorhabditis elegans - Nature.com - February 27th, 2024
- Presidio Federal's Thad Anderson Receives WashingtonExec's Longevity Award - WashingtonExec - February 27th, 2024
- Faces of wealth, intellect and longevity, as revealed by veteran face reader - The Korea Herald - February 27th, 2024
- I'm a longevity expert here are the best foods to eat for a long and healthy life - New York Post - February 27th, 2024
- Danny Care: 'Pilates Has Helped with the Longevity of My Career' - Men's Health UK - February 27th, 2024
- Give Me This Mountain | Tips for Spiritual Longevity - Harvest.org - February 27th, 2024
- Chris Hemsworth did a 4-day fast to reverse aging. His trainer played a cheeky joke to test his willpower. - Yahoo Canada Shine On - February 27th, 2024
- Pet longevity is a spark about to turn into a wildfire - Longevity.Technology - February 27th, 2024
- The Longevity of Bitcoin's Bull Run; Polkadot and Up-and-Coming Memecoin Draw Crowds - Analytics Insight - February 27th, 2024
- 'This is weird': Experts 'shocked' by record-breaking longevity of Death Valley's phantom lake - Livescience.com - February 27th, 2024
- Understanding the Longevity of SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Responses to Infection and Vaccination - Medriva - February 27th, 2024
- Experts agree: The fasting-mimicking diet may be the key to longevity - Longevity.Technology - February 27th, 2024
- Daily habits of a longevity expert : TED Radio Hour - NPR - December 30th, 2023
- Why does fruitcake last so long? Ingredients and preparation of the dessert play into its longevity - Fox News - December 30th, 2023
- Interviews of 2023: the longevity companies - Longevity.Technology - December 30th, 2023
- Nancy Wilson Discusses Longevity of Heart & Family Drama Within the Band Ahead of New Year's Eve Show in Seattle - American Songwriter - December 30th, 2023
- What Will It Take To Make Super-Aging Not So Super-White? - Well+Good - December 30th, 2023
- Arteta on Moyes and longevity in coaching | Quotes | News - Arsenal.com - December 30th, 2023
- New Years resolution guide: 5 steps to a healthier 2024 from a longevity expert - Fox News - December 30th, 2023
- Interviews of 2023: the longevity visionaries - Longevity.Technology - December 30th, 2023
- The Top 11 Longevity Tips Of 2023, From The mindbodygreen Podcast | mindbodygreen - mindbodygreen - December 30th, 2023
- Why LeBron James' longevity is unmatched in the NBA | Good Word with Goodwill - Yahoo Sports - December 30th, 2023
- Short vs long fasts: What is the ideal length for longevity? - Longevity.Technology - December 30th, 2023
- Centenarians share the secrets to living a long, healthy life - Fox Business - December 30th, 2023
- Rob Lowe on Turning 60 Soon & His Secret to Career Longevity (Exclusive) - Extra - December 30th, 2023
- Investigating the longevity and diversity of South Asian miniature traditions - STIRworld - December 30th, 2023
- The Silent Threat of Hypochondria: Impact on Longevity and Health - Medriva - December 30th, 2023
- Longevity: What lifestyle habits could help you live to 100? - December 22nd, 2023
- Aiming for longevity - Harvard Health - December 22nd, 2023
- How Long Can We Live? - The New York Times - December 22nd, 2023
- This Was the Year of Obsessing Over Longevity - GQ - December 22nd, 2023
- Menopause Age Looms Over Women. Efforts to Prevent it Could Extend Fertility. - Bloomberg - December 22nd, 2023
- Longevity: Is exercise the key to a longer, healthier life? - Medical News Today - December 22nd, 2023
- The #1 Sign You'll Live to 100, According to Longevity Experts - Gwinnettdailypost.com - December 22nd, 2023
- Cowboys Take On Dolphins, How Longevity Factors Into Hall of Fame Election and More - The 33rd Team - December 22nd, 2023
- Longevity Hacks Are Coming to Your Gym - WSJ - The Wall Street Journal - December 22nd, 2023
- 106-year-old woman shares hobbies, habits she says helped longevity - Business Insider - December 22nd, 2023
- Tips to Improve Your Health & Longevity in the New Year - KATU - December 22nd, 2023
- NN Group gets 13bn longevity risk transfer with Prudential and Swiss Re - Reinsurance News - December 22nd, 2023
- A fresh perspective on longevity - savannahmagazine - December 22nd, 2023
- Este Lauder targets age reversal with Stanford Center on Longevity partnership - Cosmetics Business - December 22nd, 2023
- Longevity means taking a proactive approach to prevention - Longevity.Technology - December 22nd, 2023
- Decoding Longevity: Centenarian Traits and Aging Research - BNN Breaking - December 22nd, 2023
- Brain Age: The Science of Cognitive Longevity - BNN Breaking - December 22nd, 2023
- The Role of Exercise in Longevity: A Holistic Approach to Health and Fitness - Medriva - December 22nd, 2023
- Get interventions to market and to people faster and cheaper - Longevity.Technology - December 22nd, 2023
- Humans Could Live up to 150 Years, New Research Suggests - May 17th, 2023
- The ingredients for a longer life - BBC Future - May 17th, 2023
- Life Expectancy by State 2023 - World Population Review - May 17th, 2023
- About Us - Fountain Life - May 17th, 2023
- Longevity: The Keys to Slow the Aging Process - Dr. Axe - March 29th, 2023
- "I got a 20-year contract. Giannis is going to play for 20 more years" - Mike Budenholzer on the longevity of Giannis Antetokounmpo and the... - January 23rd, 2023
- "I think Nadal has been doing a great job of that in the last four or five years": McEnroe believes Murray needs to shorten points for... - January 23rd, 2023
- Jon Voight is 'blessed' to have had such a long Hollywood career - Yakima Herald-Republic - November 7th, 2022
- USD Index to sink to 103 by end-2023 amid greater certainty and longevity of Dollar downtrend Westpac - FXStreet - November 7th, 2022
- Retirement Calculator | Northwestern Mutual - October 15th, 2022
- The Longevity Investors Conference Gstaad brought together longevity experts and deep-pocketed investors - Cointelegraph - October 15th, 2022
- Do you think ageing can be reversed? Here are 12 longevity startups to watch - Sifted - October 15th, 2022
- 'SNL' Gig Was a Risk Rob Lowe Credits for His Longevity: 'I Had People in My Life Telling Me - TheWrap - October 15th, 2022
- Wellness and longevity brand Serotonin Centers to open in Nashville - Tennessean - October 15th, 2022
- Lesley Stahl on longevity of '60 Minutes': 'That clock is still there' - USA TODAY - October 15th, 2022
- 4 Recipes With Corn, Beans, and SquashThe Three Sisters Ingredients That Blue Zone Centenarians in Costa Rica Eat Every Day - Well+Good - October 15th, 2022