The Blue Zones—regions in Italy, Greece, Japan, California, and Costa Rica where inhabitants live a long life and claim to be content and mentally vigorous. We have seen that adults and teens must cope with stressors from diverse areas of life: the pressures of good grades, the demands of a long workday, managing childcare, and navigating interpersonal relationships. Let’s face it: we want to be stress-free and joyous, but life occurs, and it might be difficult to remain strong and positive. How can we live happily ever after? Let’s look at the Blue Zones to see how we may be cheerful and resilient in the face of tragedy and life transitions.
Healthy eating, exercise, and rest
Ikaria Island residents are ten times more likely to live to the age of 100 than North American adults. In contrast to Canada and the United States, where women outlast men by five years, Ikarian men and women are the same average survival age. What is unique about this Greek island? What do their inhabitants understand about successful aging?
According to National Geographic journalist Dan Buettner, Blue Zone people flourish because they practice healthy eating, moderate drinking, and regular exercise. (Notice the operative word: moderate drinking, not bingeing or excessive alcohol consumption!) Let’s start with the Ikarian cuisine. It is full of seafood, fruit, green vegetables, and wild plants, all prepared with locally grown herbs and olive oil. A Mediterranean plant-based diet is related with a lower risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease. Cognitive degenerative disorders and cancer are more likely to develop in old age rather than in youth. However, we must be proactive in preventing diseases from occurring in the first place by implementing good eating habits now.
There’s more to this culture than its diet and sensible drinking habits. Ikaria island is largely mountainous, thus getting tasks done requires trudging up and down steep slopes. People there move around naturally. Some people do not drive gas-powered or electric vehicles, nor do they take trains or subways everywhere. They balance physical activity with midday siestas, which are short naps taken to rest the body and replenish the brain. Even if you don’t live on this stunning, remote island, I recommend taking advantage of the Blue Zone lifestyle. Try these tips:
Increase physical exercise: Walking, running, and recreational sports are all examples of exercise. Whether you exercise moderately or vigorously, the end consequence is a stronger heart. Chemicals are released from the brain during exercise, which can help you sleep better, have less joint discomfort, and experience less mental stress. Walking at a moderate speed (brisk) on a regular basis reduces anxiety and enhances mood. You may begin by replacing a bicycle for Uber rides, or simply try walking more frequently. Bottom line: avoid sitting and becoming sedentary.
Accept personal space, silence, and rest: Personal space is worthwhile, regardless of how much stimulus you are used to. Embracing isolation allows you to overlook the craziness of the outside world and focus on your inner self. Find a quiet place and set aside time each day to reflect on your strengths and places for improvement, and decide what changes you want to make to overcome obstacles and compensate for limits. Meditation, appreciation letters, and other mindfulness approaches can help you overcome automatic thinking and encourage you to think and feel in the present moment.
The Blue Zones and Getting Connected to Others
Having some alone time can help you self-regulate and calm your hectic life. However, social interaction is also vital. Are there any particular friends you gravitate towards? Do the people in your life give you a feeling of purpose and direction?
Social connectivity is highly prized in the Blue Zones. Maria Fastame and colleagues in Italy discovered that residing in the small community of Arzana, Sardinia, provides psychological benefits. Their older relatives usually live in the same house as their children and grandchildren. They describe being content with their interactions with family and wider groups. They feel cherished and cared for, which makes them happy. Elders in this little town are valued by younger generations, and as a result, they perceive themselves to be more competent and mentally healthier than the broader population of aging individuals.
In Japan, being close to others is referred to as ‘moai.’ A moai comprises a group of friends who gather in person to gossip, share personal experiences, and gain emotional support from one another. Both in Sardinia and Japan — collectivistic cultures that generally rely on immediate family and community for help, individuals who have greater social support and do more recreational activities (gardening, socializing, playing group games) also report greater well-being.
Create your moai, and you will have a feeling of purpose and satisfaction.
Increase social activities: Engaging in social activities allows you to exchange interests and opinions. Joining social events and spending time with friends will help you feel less lonely. Participating in group games promotes camaraderie and cooperation with others, boosting self-confidence and self-esteem.
Stay emotionally connected: It is good to stay emotionally connected with family and significant others, even when they do not reside in the same vicinity. You will feel fortunate and grateful when you are accepted and supported by the familiar people in your life who have shown time and time again that they truly care.
Highlight the network: You may accomplish a lot by broadening your social network to include coworkers, neighbors, and acquaintances. And being more productive will make you feel good about attaining your goals. When you find it difficult to do job or household responsibilities on your own, ask for help. Stress levels will decrease if you can rely on people to help you through emotional distress, sad mood, and difficult circumstances.
Conclusion:
Speaking of difficult times, people around the world recently dealt with a three-year pandemic. We hesitate to bring it up, but who knows if a new strain of coronavirus or some other pathogen may put us in quarantine and make us fear the unknown. It can be difficult to maintain appropriate dietary habits, physical activity, and positive mental health while living in a fast-paced, high-tech, ever-changing society. But we believe these ideas will help you live a happy life. You don’t have to live in a longevity hotspot to use these strategies in regular life. When you prioritize health and well-being in the early phases, you will have a better later life.
