There are many things that contribute to our health, wellbeing and longevity. Of course, science-backed studies will point us towards lifestyle tips such as moderate exercise and a healthy diet full of fresh whole foods. Research from the Blue Zones around the world – the places that have the highest life expectancy rates – also show some interesting findings when it comes to what promotes a robust and long life.
Aside from eating simple wholefood diets and engaging in gentle daily movement, there are some unique factors that the Blue Zone populations have in common. These qualities can be equally as important, yet can also be easily overlooked in our modern fast-paced world.
Here are a few ways to boost your longevity that may surprise you.
Community and Tribe
Maintaining healthy relationships is a very important factor discovered between the various Blue Zones. The world’s longest-living people have close friends and strong social networks. Sharing meals with people, talking honestly and making time for face-to-face connection is a huge part of life in these regions. Being a part of a community that influences you to live healthily is also a key factor here. Becoming part of social groups that you are inspired by and feel connected to is a beautiful way to nurture your health and longevity.
Find Your Purpose
People in the Blue Zone areas attest to the importance of knowing your purpose and understanding the reason you get up every morning. Knowing your purpose has been shown to play a significant role in adding years to your life and a greater degree of fulfilment. Life becomes more challenging when we wander through the world day in and day out feeling disconnected from ourselves and our soul’s mission. The ancient yoga texts call this your Dharma- your unique purpose that you are here to do and share. Taking time to discover what our dharma is and having the courage to follow that path is truly rewarding.
More Sleep Less Stress
Two other significant factors in the Blue Zones is that these communities prioritise sleep and find ways to combat stress. When it comes to avoiding stress, people turn to nature and simple mindfulness techniques such as meditation and breathing exercises. Prioritising sleep and also being in tune with the seasons and cycles of the natural world is a daily part of life in the Blue Zone areas. Rising with the sun and getting to bed at an earlier hour creates a consistent sleep routine. These areas of the world typically sleep for 7.5 hours a night. Studies have shown that people who sleep more than 6 hours a night have stronger immunity, lower stress and are generally happier.
Have Fun and Explore
Novelty, play and learning are three wonderful aspects that contribute to keeping us young in body and mind. As humans, we thrive on novelty. While we may be creatures of habit and routine, we come alive when we experience new places, new cultures, new people, new foods, and new ways of life. Our senses love to be given new stimuli; new sights, sounds and smells that we can revel in outside of our daily norm. Play is also a primal element of human nature. We are born to play, to be inquisitive, to follow our intuition. Not only is play fun, but it also creates new neural pathways in the brain to release our ‘happy’ hormones which lower stress and boost longevity.
Appreciate the Little Things
The simple act of expressing gratitude has a multitude of health benefits. Gratitude improves our relationships, boosts our physical health and happiness, reduces stress, frustration, depression, and anxiety, improves empathy and compassion, promotes better sleep, improves self-esteem, increases mental strength, makes us more optimistic and more resilient, increases productivity and helps us to achieve our goals. The simple practice of taking a few moments each day to focus on or jot down the things in life we are grateful for can go a long way to boosting our happiness and longevity.
So, as well as keeping up a healthy diet and moderate exercise to remain healthy in body and mind, try embracing a few of these lesser prioritised practices to boost your longevity and remain young at heart.