The longest living people in the world have been studied and live in areas called the Blue Zones. For more than 20 years Dan Buettner of National Geographic has been studying the areas of the world where people live past 100 and are healthy, vital, and full of energy. You can tap into their secrets to live better longer. If you look at what the people in these areas have in common, their lifestyle activates the chemicals and hormones associated with health and vitality and combats Cortisol, your stress hormone. 

1. Do What You Love. People in the Blue Zones have a sense of purpose throughout their life. They have a reason to get up in the morning. They do things they love with the people they love. Having a sense of purpose can add up to 7 years to your life. Doing it with the people you love, whether it be family or friends, can add another 3 years to your life. To add life to your years and years to your life, do something you love with the people you love everyday.  

2. Eat Mostly Plants. People in the Blue Zones eat a plant based diet. A diet rich in plants provides vitamins, minerals, phytochemical, antioxidants and fiber. These aid in repair and rejuvenation of your cells and tissues, and improve the health of your gut and brain. Fill the majority of your plate with vegetables and enjoy the different colors (red, orange, green, yellow, purple, white, and brown) of veggies daily. The fiber in beans and legumes will keep your bowels more regular and provide food for the good bacteria in your gut. People in the blue zones eat beans daily.

3. Good Fats are Good for You. Blue Zoners enjoy good fats from wild caught fish, nuts, seeds, olives, avocado, and eggs. These foods provide omega 3 fats that make up your cell membranes and over 60% or your brain and nerve tissues. They also contain healthy unsaturated fats which are good for your heart, cardiovascular system and tissues. 

4. Move Your Body Every Day. Movement, activity and exercise are part of a Blue Zoner’s life. They don’t need to schedule exercise because they walk, bike, garden, and spend time outdoors being active daily. For an added benefit do these things with the people you love.

5. Take a Daily Time Out. Blue zoners take time daily to downshift, express gratitude and even take a siesta. Express gratitude for your body, your day and life daily upon waking and before you go to bed. Take time to breathe daily and especially if you are feeling anxious, stressed, worried, fearful, or tired. 
6. Health Minded Friends. Blue zoners socialize with the people who have healthy habits. Who you spend most of your time with can help or hinder your health and wellbeing. Surround yourself with people who want to be healthy and vital, and make lifestyle choices to support living better longer.

7. Have Faith. Having faith in a creator, God, universal intelligence or a higher power can add 4-14 years to your life. Blue zoners belong to faith based communities and nearly all attend some kind of faith based service.

8. Happy Hour. One to two glasses of red wine enjoyed with family and friends during a meal is part of the Blue Zone life. People in all Blue Zones (except Adventists) drink alcohol moderately and regularly. Those who drank moderately (1-2 glasses daily) outlived non-drinkers. 

9. No Clean Plate Club. Blue Zoners eat less overall, and do not eat until they feel full. People in the Blue Zones eat their smallest meal in the late afternoon or early evening, and then, they do not eat any more the rest of the day.

Life should be about living life fully, not abstaining from life. The question you should ask yourself if you have moved away from health and wellbeing is ‘Why are you choosing not to live life fully”? Why do you choose foods, activities, news, people, and thoughts that activate the hormones and chemicals of stress, pain, fear, worry, sadness and suffering? Today is the day you can begin to choose differently. You can choose to live better longer utilizing the practices of the Blue Zoners.  Remember, it is never too late to make a Shift in Health.