Longevity? What are the secrets to living a long life?

Lessons from people who have lived the longest.

In 2015 a National Geographic expedition lead by Dan Buettner went to uncover the secret to living longer.

His team explored 5 regions of the world where people consistently lived to over 100 years of age.

• Sardinia, Italy
• Ikaria, Greece
• Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica

• Loma Linda, California
• Okinawa, Japan

They were astounded by their findings and Dan published a book - Blue Zones: Lessons from the World’s Longest Lived.

He discovered 9 common denominators he labelled Power 9©. Of these regions, one of the biggest being the relationships we have with one another and our community.

Here are the 9 Factors to living longer the he uncovered in his research:

1. Move Naturally - most who lived to over 100 weren't gym junkies or marathon runners. They participated in activities that kept them up and moving like gardening and walking.
   
   
2. Purpose - According to Beuttner having purpose/ meaning in your life will increase your life expectancy by 7 years.
   
   
3. Stress Management - Stress is a known factor associatated with a number of age related conditions. Sardinian's had happy hour, People of Loma Linda prayed, Okinawans rememered took moments to remember their ancestors. Ikarians took regular naps!
   
   
4. 80% Rule - Stop eating when your 80% full! 'Hara hachi bu' is a 2500 year old mantra with generally translates to stop eating before you are full!
   
   
5. Plant Based Diet - generally areas where people lived the longest they had a diet of legumes and plant based products, meat consumed infrequently through out each month.
   
   
6. Moderate Alcohol - Surprisingly there was a moderate consumption of alcohol 1 -2 glasses / day preferably with friends/ family.
   
   
7. Community - The research showed that of the centenarians interviewed 258 our of 263 all attended regular faith-based services. The religion did not matter.
   
   
8. Relationships - Family relationships played a significant role in all centenarian's lives.
   
   
9. Social Circles - All centenarian has strong social circles that participated in healthy activities. In Okinawa people created groups called 'moils' which is a group of 5 people who committed to each other for life.

His research has influenced policy makers, local businesses, schools and communities across the world.

He has help to shift their focus to creating environmental changes based on his work that have helped to reduce obesity, increase life expectancy and help people to make healthier life choices.

For more information check out Dan Beuttner's Website and his Book.

www.bluezones.com​
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