They Got it Together!
Researchers have identified Blue Zones, where people enjoy long, healthy lives, and the factors contributing to their longevity: consumption, movement, and social connection. More important than the number of years is the quality (lifespan v. healthspan). Blue Zoners generally do not outlive their good health; they are on the go until the end.
Blue Zoners do not count calories, rely on superfoods, or abstain from anything entirely. They consume fewer calories by consuming more vegetables, fruit, and grains and enjoy meat, sweets, and alcohol occasionally without overindulging.
They cook at home, which requires walking grocery store aisles, slicing vegetables, lifting pots, washing dishes, etc. These apparently pedestrian activities are Herculean compared to grabbing a bag from the take-out window, unwrapping the paper around the burger, and digging my fingers into a French fry basket.
They do not sweat at the gym or count 10K steps a day, but their daily routine involves significant movement to combat sedentary behavior. They are not cushion flatteners and, by rising frequently, do a workout full of squats without shouldering a barbell. Noticeably absent are frequent doctor visits and 28-compartment pill organizers.
Beyond Movement
As much as we need to maintain movement, we need to maintain interpersonal relationships. Social disconnection increases the risk of premature death as much as smoking 15 cigarettes daily.
Blue Zoners have hobbies and perform acts of service to provide purpose, mental stimulation, and social connection. They tend gardens, walk to meet with friends, attend family gatherings, volunteer at the library, congregate at church, etc. In-person activities elevate physical movement and provide something for the soul that internet chat rooms, online game forums, and virtual lonely-heart clubs cannot.
You reap the additional benefit of social connection by exchanging a solo five-mile run for an hour of pickleball with friends. Any loss in fitness is more than made up for with better overall wellness. Packs of road cyclists crowd the roads on Saturday mornings for personal interaction as much as increasing VO2 max.
Likewise, a positive outlook reduces stress, rates of depression, and the risk of cardiovascular illness and increases immunity to disease, coping skills, and one’s life span. I hope that 52 Steps Forward improves our thinking and disposition. For those who need more than they can do on their own or with the support of family and friends, I urge you to seek professional assistance.
The Lifestyle
Blue Zoners exemplify that the healthiest people treat wellness as a lifestyle, not a segregated activity. For those protesting that you cannot follow the lifestyles of those in small villages in remote lands, know that one zone, Loma Linda, is within breathing distance of Los Angeles’ smog.
A lifestyle supporting well-being does not come from a “30 days to six-pack abs” program or a magic elixir. If you have a sizeable distance to travel, take solace in the story of one woman’s year-long 100-pound weight loss journey accomplished by eating at home more, out less, and walking. Most importantly, she forged a lifestyle that maintains her reduced weight.
The elements of wellness are cumulative and synergistic; there is a flywheel effect. Good consumption facilitates movement, which in turn facilitates purposeful activities, including social interaction.
Your actions will significantly influence whether you die (i) unexpectedly at 88 while living at home, unencumbered by any serious medical ailments, after feeding pigeons during your daily trip to the park or (ii) at 78 after a steady deterioration in an assisted living cellblock, watching an endless loop of Turner Classic Movies.
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Wellness programs vary based on your present state, genetics, and medical conditions. Consult medical professionals before starting any wellness program.
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Simply put, respect and steward your physical and mental gifts with a lifestyle that fosters wellness, and you will reap the benefits.
