Blue Zones- What is it? How do we embrace the blue zone? – Guest post by Kristin Harvey, Dietetic Intern
Kristin delves into the discovery of a cookbook titled ‘Blue Zones Kitchen: 100 Recipes to Live to 100′ and the ensuing exploration into the concept of Blue Zones. These are regions around the world known for their populations’ longevity. The Blue Zone lifestyle emphasizes factors beyond diet, such as positive outlook, regular physical activity, and strong social connections. It may be helpful incorporating lifestyle tips from Blue Zone practices to enhance overall health and well being. Read on to learn what may be missing in your lifestyle for optimal health.
“The Blue Zone explains why food, physical activity, and positive mentality enables populations to dodge the chronic disease scourge that plagues the United States.”
As I continued my research, I learned that Blue Zones’ food tradition captures the way of eating that yielded the statistically longest- lived people in the world. The Blue Zone explains why food, physical activity, and positive mentality enables populations to dodge the chronic disease scourge that plagues the United States. The concept is identified in regions around the world such as; Sardinia- an island off the Italian coast, Okinawa in Japan, Icaria in Greece, Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica, and Loma Linda in California.
When studying the Blue Zones I learned about the Power 9 which focuses on positive outlook, eating wisely, connecting and moving.
- Diet– Having an emphasis on vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts and fish and following the 80% rule: stop eating when you feel 80% full.
- Fasting– Blue Zones believe that periodic fasting can be beneficial to health and to reduce blood pressure, cholesterol and other chronic disease.
- Exercise– People in Blue Zones gain their exercise by their lifestyle: gardening, raising farm animals, walking, and preparing meals.
- Sleep– The power of naps. Sleeping until you wake up naturally rather than depending on an alarm. Having a 30 minute nap per day is common in Blue Zones.
- Spiritual practice– having a sense of connection to a spiritual or religious community helps people in Blue Zones to reduce stress and depression.
- Healthy Social network– The company that influences your health, influences your lifespan as well.
- Loved Ones First– Keeping aging parents and grandparents nearby in the home or investing time in people they love.
- Downshift– Even people in Blue Zones experience stress. However, Blue Zone people have routines that shed stress.
- A sense of purpose– Having a sense of purpose is thought to give you a sense of psychological well being.
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