What are Blue Zones and what makes them special?
Find out what makes the world’s five ‘Blue Zones’ so special.
Did you know the world has five ‘Blue Zones’ – regions where people are, on average, happier, healthier, and more likely to live longer?
The Blue Zones were first discovered by Dan Buettner – an explorer, National Geographic Fellow, and award-winning journalist. Buettner has written several books on the topic, including his latest, The Blue Zones Solution.
Today, he works in partnership with governments, employers, and health insurance companies to apply lessons from the Blue Zones to other regions around the world.
So, what makes these zones so special, and how can we get in on their secrets. Let’s take a closer look.
Where are the five Blue Zones?
1. Sardinia, Italy
Sardinia is an island off Italy which is home to a cluster of small villages. Ogliastra – the region up high in the mountains – is home to the world’s highest concentration of men aged 100 and older. Residents are very culturally isolated and still hunt, fish, and gather the food they eat.
2. Okinawa, Japan
Once called ‘the land of immortals’, Okinawa is the largest island in a subtropical archipelago governed by Japan. Okinawa is home to some of the world’s longest-living women. Residents follow a mostly plant-based diet. Their day-to-day life is filled with simplicity and close companionship with friends and family.
3. The Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
A region in Central America, the Nicoya Peninsula is home to the world’s second-highest concentration of men aged 100 and older. Residents pay close attention to the ‘plan to vida’ – which is about having a reason to live and a positive outlook on life. People here are also very socially-orientated. Elders often live with their children and grandchildren, which helps them to stay active and have a sense of purpose.
4. Ikaria, Greek Islands
From strong red wine to late-night games of dominos, this tiny island is steeped in history and culture. But most significantly, one in three residents make it to their 90s. The population is almost entirely free of dementia and has very low rates of chronic disease. Researchers put this down to several factors, including culture, diet, lifestyle, and outlook.
5. Loma Linda, California
While the other four Blue Zones are relatively geographically isolated, Loma Linda is a city in San Bernardino, California, only two hours east of Los Angeles. This region is home to a 9,000-strong community of Seventh-day Adventists. These are the people at the core of its Blue Zone status. The Loma Linda Adventists contribute their longevity to vegetarianism, regular exercise, and a sense of community, among other factors.
What can we learn from the Blue Zones?
Collectively, people who live in the Blue Zones are healthier, happier, and live longer.
Aside from upping sticks and relocating to one of these special locations (which isn’t too bad of an idea), how can we apply some Blue Zone wisdom to our everyday lives?
Here are some ideas.
Eat fresh, whole foods
People from the Blue Zones follow a mostly plant-based diet, with plenty of whole grains, little sugar, and maybe some oily fish. Food is fresh and rarely processed.
People in Loma Linda follow a strictly vegetarian diet. They also adhere to a unique eating philosophy – eating breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper.
Did you know that eating naturally colourful food is good for you? Read why and how to get more colour into your daily diet.
Connect with your community
Social connections are incredibly crucial to each of the communities across the five Blue Zones. From strong family values to neighbourly bonds, relationships are a high priority – community building is etched into the very essence of their lifestyle.
The Okinawan culture even has something called a ‘moai’ which is essentially a safety net providing financial and emotional support in times of need.
Exercise regularly
While you won’t find many of these people signing up for marathons or excelling at extreme sports, they all maintain a moderate level of exercise by moving frequently on a daily basis.
In Ikaria, the longest-living people are predominantly those in the island’s highlands. They are thought to achieve exercise by gardening or walking to their neighbour’s house.
Stopped exercising and want to restart? Read how you to kickstart your exercise regime and get back on track.
Find out more about the Blue Zones
To find out more about the Blue Zones, check out bluezones.com or keep an eye out for Dan Buettner’s books.
