What do the cities of Barbagia (Sardinia), Ikaria (Greece), Nicoya Peninsula (Costa Rica), Loma Linda (California) and Okinawa (Japan) have in common? These places have the highest life expectancy rates or the highest proportions of people who reach 100 years of age. A recent study led by Dan Buettner called these regions Blue Zones® and the lifestyle habits of the people living in these zones are being adopted around the globe. Life expectancy of an American born today averages 78.2, but this year, over 70,000 Americans have reached their 100th birthday. What are they doing that the average American isn’t, or won’t do?
Blue Zones® research tells us that the best way to live long and healthy is to adopt what they call the Power 9 lifestyle practices that are common to people living in each of the regions studied. Three of these 9 health habits are: 1) Move Naturally, in other words, don’t worry about saving your energy by parking close to a building or taking the elevator. Spend your energy freely, mow the lawn, walk the dog, take the stairs; 2) Purpose, know your sense of purpose; 3) Down Shift, develop routines that help shed stress. Click here to learn about the other six health habits.