Insights on Live to 100

Have you seen “Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones”?

It is a Netflix documentary series that follows author Dan Buettner as he travels worldwide to explore five regions where people live longer and healthier lives than average.

These regions are called Blue Zones: Okinawa, Japan; Ikaria, Greece; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; and Loma Linda, California.

Most people who live here are mostly living between the 80s and 90s if not centenarians.

Some of the main takeaways why or how people living in these Blue Zones achieve good health and long life are:

1. They make movement a habit. People in the blue zones don’t rely on machines or gadgets to do their work. They use their hands and muscles to chop wood, knead bread, make crafts, and do their hobbies. They also walk, bike, garden, and play games that keep them physically active.

2. They eat mostly plants. People in the blue zones eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. They avoid processed foods, added sugars, and animal products. They also practice moderation and stop eating when they are 80% full. Notable among some zones are the most common staple food, which consists of the following:

corn, squash, beans. Beans, in particular, are vital to the opening up of the arteries.

3. They drink wisely. People in the blue zones enjoy moderate amounts of alcohol, usually wine, with their meals or friends. They avoid binge drinking or drinking on an empty stomach. They also drink plenty of water and herbal teas.

4. They have a sense of purpose. People in the blue zones have a clear reason to wake up every morning. They have goals, passions, hobbies, and roles that give meaning to their lives. They also contribute to their communities and help others. Work to them is not something to be avoided. One centenarian wakes up at 4 am and starts working until 10 am. That’s 6 hours of nonstop work, and he will start taking things slowly towards the end of the day. Work was never a burden but a part of his purpose in life. In other words, retirement is not something they look forward to.

5. They belong to a faith community. People in the blue zones belong to a religious or spiritual group that meets regularly and provides them with social support, moral guidance, and a sense of belonging. They also practice gratitude, prayer, meditation, and other rituals that connect them with a higher power. In fact, one interesting study says that being active in the church by going to church more than once a week extends one’s life expectancy to seven (7) more years.

6. Put family first. People in the blue zones prioritize their family and friends over work or money. They spend time with their spouses, children, parents, grandparents, and siblings. They also have close friends who share their values and habits. In Singapore, for example, they give economic incentives if the children live near their parents or vice versa if they do not live with them. Let’s not forget that they also laugh a lot, which is good for the heart and soul.

7. Find your tribe. People in the blue zones surround themselves with people who inspire, support, and challenge them to be their best selves. They have lifelong friends whom they can trust and rely on. They also join clubs, groups, or teams that share their interests and hobbies.

The Bible says, “God has set eternity in our hearts” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). This means that man longs for something beyond this life, something that lasts forever.

That is why man has been looking for ways to live longer, if not seek immortality. Others have sought the answers through faith, which is why belonging to a church can extend man’s life for a few more years.

While the location has a bearing on one’s longevity, where stress and pollution are non-existent, for example, I follow Bruce Lee’s philosophy by applying “absorb what is useful.”

For example, you can do a lot of movement without necessarily going to the gym. It is like unconscious exercise, but you achieve the same result by burning calories. The same thing with diet. We all know that the former is healthier than organic and processed food.

Lastly, no man is an island, as mentioned in the series. In the US, the loneliness epidemic is real, and it can decrease your life by 7 years.

Thank God that sending our parents to home care is not a common practice in the Philippines. We have closely knit families; some even belong to a church where they get to serve in a ministry. Another reason for having a sense of belonging.

If you haven’t watched it, please do so. It will inspire you to live healthy and in the process, can extend your life longer.

#longlife

#healthylifestyle