I mentioned in part one of The Keys to Longevity that a higher than usual number of people living much longer than average in five regions of the world known as Blue Zones.
You can look at the research here:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6125071/
Here are five key discoveries:
- Purpose – The Okinawans call it Ikigai and the Nicoyans call it plan de vida; for both, it translates to “why I wake up in the morning.” Knowing your sense of purpose is worth up to 7 years of extra life expectancy.
- Natural Movement – The world’s longest-lived people do not pump iron, run marathons, or join gyms. Instead, they live in environments that constantly nudge them into moving without thinking about it. They grow gardens and do not have mechanical conveniences for house and yard work.
- 80% Rule – Hara hachi bu – the Okinawan 2500-year old Confucian mantra said before meals reminds them to stop eating when their stomachs are 80% full. The 20% gap between not being hungry and feeling full could be the difference between losing weight or gaining it. 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.
- Wine @ 5 – People in all Blue Zones (except Adventists) drink alcohol moderately and regularly. Moderate drinkers outlive nondrinkers. The trick is to drink 1 to 2 glasses per day (preferably Sardinian Cannonau wine), with friends and/or with food. And no, you cannot save up all week and have 14 drinks on Saturday.
- Loved Ones First – Successful centenarians in the Blue Zones put their families first. This means keeping aging parents and grandparents nearby or in the home (it lowers disease and mortality rates of children in the home too). They commit to a life partner (which can add up to 3 years of life expectancy) and invest in their children with time and love. (They’ll be more likely to care for aging parents when the time comes.)
Give yourself a grade, then have a conversation with someone who will hold you accountable if you are committed to starting.
We can also provide low cost accountability solutions if you’re ready to grow in one or more particular areas.
Email us at Joel@theperformancegroup.us for details.