Page 6 - ROOT May-Jun 2025

on the rise: BLUE ZONES
The latest version of the “Fountain of Youth” key practices, known as the Power 9, that help old and still active, mobile, and enjoying life.
is not a myth. It is based on real places called support longevity and well-being: You do not need to follow all nine habits to
“blue zones”, which offer insights into living a 1. Move naturally benefit. Start with one or two that feel easy
long, healthy, and fulfilling life. 2. Life with a purpose to adopt. For example, try adding more
The term “blue zones” was introduced in 3. Take time to relax and manage stress vegetables to your meals, taking short walks
2004 by National Geographic explorer and 4. Eat until satisfied, not full, and have your throughout the day, or setting aside a few
journalist Dan Buettner. While the name is last meal in the early evening minutes to relax and unwind. Small changes
relatively new, the idea behind it is centuries 5. Eat primarily plant-based foods with smaller can lead to meaningful improvements over
old. Blue zones are five specific areas where amounts of meat time. Choose the habits that fit your lifestyle
people live longer and enjoy better health into 6. Drink moderate amounts of alcohol if you and build from there.
old age. These places include: choose to drink Millions of people have lived long and
7. Participate in a faith-based or spiritual
• Ikaria, Greece productive lives by following these simple
• Loma Linda, California community habits. While there’s no guarantee, embracing
• Sardinia, Italy 8. Prioritize family some of these practices may help you feel
• Okinawa, Japan 9. Socialize with people who have healthy better, stay active, and improve your chances
• Nicoya, Costa Rica habits of aging well.
Most of us are not in a position to move to Both research and real-life examples support Source:
one of these places. However, we can adopt these habits. They have been linked to lower https://www.bluezones.com/about/history/
some key lifestyle habits these regions have in levels of inflammation, better heart health, https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/healthy-aging/the-blue-
common. Researchers have identified nine and improved mental illness. In blue zones, it zone-diet-and-lifestyle-why-centenarians-are-anything-
is common to meet people who are 100 years but-blue/