Lifestyle Lessons from the Blue Zones

Blue Zones are the longest-lived, healthiest communities in the world, located in Sardinia (Italy), Icaria (Greece), Okinawa (Japan), Loma Linda (California) and Nicoya (Costa Rica). People living in these communities have up to twenty times the number of people reaching 100 years old or more than in the US.

What is their secret?

• Active, outdoor living, close to nature

• Predominantly a diet of simple, whole foods, vegetables, beans, fruit, nuts

• Sustainably sourced, restricted amounts of high quality meat and fish

• Limited dairy, milk and cheese from goats and sheep

• Eating very little sugar except in the form of fruit and honey

• Consuming herbal teas, water and moderate consumption of red wine

• Avoid over-eating - Hara hachi bu is Japanese for "eat until you're 80% full"

• Appreciating the value of lifelong friendships and community

• Enjoying life!

We may not be able to transport ourselves to one of these communities but the lessons from the Blue Zones are clear. So why not create our own zones within our homes, family, friends and community and actually live and enjoy life to the full extent possible!