Bring a "Blue Zone" to You!

After learning of author Dan Buettner's book Blue Zones, I became both inspired and awed. In Blue Zones, Buettner tells of people not only who were living longer lives, but happier and healthier lives as well. These "Blue Zones" were scarcely scattered over our vast earth - Sardinia (Italy), Okinawa (Japan), Loma Linda (California), and Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula are each considered a Blue Zone.

Disheartened, I stared at my world map, knowing it would be a far stretch thinking I could get to these distant places any time soon. So, I thought, what are some of the attainable common denominators in these "Blue Zones?" The answers were surprisingly simple.

The most obvious common factor was food; what we put into our bodies. I guess it's really nothing new. If you can't grow your own food - BUY ORGANICALLY! Prepare from scratch. Almost all of those populating the Blue Zones ate little to no animal products (including fish and dairy in some places). There was a higher than normal amount of calcium in most of these peoples diets. Although this occurred naturally in the drinking water, we can achieve this by taking Calcium/Magnesium supplements with Vitamin D...or preferably, a healthy dose of sunshine. The way in which we intake our food also seems to be relevant. The Nicoyans in particular, ate they're largest meals in the morning and each meal decreased in size as their day progressed. When you think about it, it makes sense. We as human beings, naturally produce Melatonin after nightfall. Melatonin is what helps us sleep soundly. Any kind of stimulant, including food, disrupts our natural sleep progression - start strong and wind down.

Another key to living long and healthy was staying active. No, we cannot all farm and hoe - a chore that doubles as a strengthening tool for biceps and quadriceps. Maintaining these major muscle groups (quads, biceps, and chest) is vital to aging well. Hip and knee fractures are top ailments in people over 65. Yet on the Blue Zone Map, citizens of 98, 99, and up to 104 years of age were walking, gardening, even cruising along the streets easily on their bicycles. There are very basic exercises we can all do to reap these exact benefits that a farmer in Costa Rica does. A simple squat, for example will give your legs the maintenance they need to support our heavy bodies as we age.

KEEP BUSY! Buettner talks of the 95 year-old heart surgeon who still goes to work every day! He does this not out of pressure to keep up with the Jones's! He works because he wants to - because it continues to challenge his brain. We are not meant to be stagnant. And on that note... no stress... easier said than done right? These people in the Blue Zones seemed to have family and friends in continuous close quarters. They were having fun. Letting go. There was a definite link to spiritualism as well. Whether it was the people of Okinawa Japan, or the Seventh Day Adventists in Loma Linda California, ritualistic forms of gratitude were prominent and practiced. Worrying seemed useless to people who surrendered to the notion of something bigger than they were, pulling the strings. Residents of these Blue Zones share a common thread - they are all quite present in their different lives, able to cherish every sacred minute of it.

These are all tangible goals! Good luck! Live Long! Be Happy and Healthy!

Reagan Pasternak is an actor, writer, and fitness buff living in Los Angeles, California. She practices Yoga, maintains a cruelty-free vegetarian diet, and is an advocate for animal rights, and supports various animal rescues organizations. Reagan is a contributing editor to http://www.CostaRicaSurfGuru.com , a travel guide to Costa Rica's best surf, yoga, adventure, and eco-tour vacation destinations.

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