A news story about “blue zones” reports definite areas in the world where people are generally healthier and overall live longer lives. We are talking about centenarians going out dancing and mowing their own yards. This is not just about your living longer—it is about our developing lifestyles that result in happier and healthier people and communities.
National Geographic fellow Dan Beuttner has developed a system that allows him to help cities around the U.S. to create and enjoy their own “blue zones.”
“Health behaviors are infectious. If your three best friends are obese, there’s a 150 percent better chance that you’re overweight,” said Beuttner. “So to find people who want to change their health habits and forge a relationship with them, that creates a long-term nudge so people tend to go out and walk and tend to go out and garden as opposed to sitting on a barstool.”
The cultural changes happen because everyone: “citizens, schools, employers, restaurants, grocery stores and community leaders” come together with a vision and a plan and the result is you really do move the community toward optimal health and well-being. According to the news story, the next city that has been targeted for the Blue Zone Project is Fort Worth, Texas.
Of course, a healthy diet and regular exercise are part of the lifestyle. But we are not talking about getting to the gym three days per week. This plan provides nudges and defaults that make it easier to walk and get fresh veggies.
Along with a healthy lifestyle, this one additional element adds about eight extra years to your life expectancy: if you can articulate your sense of purpose. Dream big dreams, and allow yourself to have a sense of your being part of something greater than just what meets the eye.
This week, grab a handful of veggies, go for a long walk, sit in stillness for a bit and let your heart answer the questions for yourself about how your life has meaning and purpose beyond just what you do. Wow…. What if it really is true that where ever you are on the planet can become a blue zone.
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Rev. Debra Basham
Voice: (269) 921-2217 Email: debra@scs-matters.com https://scs-matters.com http://ImagineHealing.info http://SurgicalSupport.info Small Changes … Infinite Results™
“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” ~Mother Teresa Tips from 5 April 2010 to 6 August 2012 are here: Archived Tips |