Page 28 - New to North Iowa Relocation Guide

LIVING
LIVING
HERE
HERE
CERTIFIED BLUE
BLUE ZONES
ZONES PROJECT
COMMUNITY

CERTIFIED BLUE ZONES PROJECT COMMUNITY

Blue Zones are geographically defined areas where people live measurably longer. Dan Buettner, a National Geographic explorer
and world-renowned author of The New York Times bestselling book titled “The Blue Zones—Lessons For Living Longer, from
the People Who’ve Lived the Longest,” identified common elements of cultures and healthy living which produced longer life
expectancy. This research has been used to develop tools and programs that help people live longer, happier lives with lower
rates of chronic disease and higher quality life.

The Blue Zones Project takes an environmental approach to improve well-being. By optimizing our environments—those
settings where we spend our time and which influence our behavior—we can make the healthy choice the easy choice so that we
naturally adopt healthy behaviors.

Blue Zones Power 9 Principles 3. DOWN SHIFT
Researchers found that people who live in Blue Zones share To reverse inflammation related to every major age-related
nine common lifestyle behaviors that have a direct impact disease, find time each day to meditate, nap, pray, or enjoy a
on their increased well-being and longevity. These healthy happy hour.
behaviors, called the Power 9 Principles, center on moving
naturally, eating wisely, knowing your life’s purpose, and 4. 80% RULE
belonging to a social community. The Power 9 Principles Hara Hachi Bu is a 2500-year old Confucian mantra, saying it
are easy, small steps that everyone can take in their daily before meals reminds us to stop eating when we feel 80% full.
lives to feel better, live longer, and be happier. These simple
behaviors are patterned after the lifestyles of people who live 5. PLANT SLANT
in the Blue Zones. Eat a mostly plant-based diet
that is heavy on beans,
1. MOVE NATURALLY nuts, and green plants.
We can get more physical activity naturally if we live in walkable This is consistent with
communities, de-convenience our homes, and grow gardens. the USDA’s MyPlate
recommendations
2. KNOW YOUR PURPOSE to make fruits,
People who know why they wake up in the morning live up to vegetables, and
seven years longer than those who don’t. grains the
majority of
your intake.

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