Healthy habits for ageing gracefully and longevity
Extended life expectancy, advice from of the longest living humans on Earth …
Text: Joel T
Scientists are always revealing new habits that are linked to longevity and a long life, and we are always being told of various ways that we can live longer. Do a crossword! Eat turmeric! Ditch stress and anxiety! And whatever you do, don’t start smoking. But rather than looking at ourselves, it makes sense to look at the lifestyle habits of the healthiest people in the world who boast a longer life expectancy — those who live in the Blue Zones.
Blue Zones refer to regions of the world where people appear to have lower rates of chronic disease and live longer than the average lifespan. There are officially seven of these zones around the world, including Ikaria, Greece; Okinawa, Japan; Ogliastra Region, Sardinia; Loma Linda, California; and Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica. A number of studies found that these areas contain extremely high rates of nonagenarians and centenarians, which are people who live over 90 and 100, respectively.
It seems the communities here have discovered the perfect blend of lifestyle choices that lead to a fulfilling and extended life expectancy. Keen to discover their secrets? Read on.
Credit: Blue Zones, LLC.)
Move about
Don’t just get active when you’ve got a scheduled gym session or a HIIT workout in your calendar. Make opportunities to move about naturally, whether that’s walking to the coffeeshop to get takeaway lunch instead of ordering food to the office, taking the stairs to your floor instead of getting in the lift, or even spending ten minutes wiping down the kitchen shelves you’ve been neglecting for the past month.
Stay positive
One of the secrets to living a life that is not only lengthy, but meaningful, is to find a sense of purpose in all that you do. Cultivate awe and gratitude in the little things that happen to you on the daily. Don’t adopt toxic positivity, but do as the Blue Zones do and instead build on a genuine optimism through practising mindfulness, acceptance, and seeking the right support to drive you to where you need to be in life.
Eat wisely
You are what you eat, and a diet that is filled with good and nutritious food can only lead to a fit and healthy body that will take you far in life. People who live in the Blue Zones usually fill up on plant-based foods for most of their meals, eat less meat, more fish, less sugar and less processed foods. Start including healthy ingredients in your meals like beans, nuts and whole grain bread.
Connect
No man is an island, and healthy relationships with loved ones, friends and even colleagues can create the right environment for you to survive and thrive. Don’t just make connections, craft a community that you know you can rely on and belong to, and one that has your back. It’s scientifically proven that individuals who live in close-knit communities like the Blue Zones have longer lifespans, so don’t be a stranger — go mingle! (Safely, or course).
