Blue Zones

I recently watched a four-part series on Netflix titled “Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones” and found it fascinating. The series is hosted by author and National Geographic Fellow Dan Buettner and he explores various Blue Zone locations such as the Greek island of Ikaria and the island of Sardinia in Italy where people live longer and healthier lives.

Some of the things I learned are so simple and obvious, yet here we are fitting in as many workouts as we possibly can, gulping down smoothies, and taking meds for heart, diabetes, weight loss, etc. And maybe this is because so many of us have jobs where we sit around at desks all day long, buy less than healthy, if not downright fattening, lunches and then go home to families where our children have practice for whatever extracurricular activities they do, so our dinners are no better in quality and our lives are stressed to the max.

Generally speaking, in these Blue Zones the residents don’t use appliances to simplify their daily living. Bread and pasta are handmade, food is basically grown, prepared, and eaten, and wine is pure and free of additives. They eat together, laugh together, and after dinner, dance together. They celebrate the simple bounties in life and in each other as family and friends. The elderly live with their families and are treasured and valued members who still contribute to everyday existence by doing necessary chores to survive. They stay active by volunteering and walking to and from most of the places they visit. It’s nothing for them to climb hills and stairs. Their exercise comes from everyday living. Nobody feels alone as they are embraced by their families and through their religious communities where socialization is strong. Their medical bills are low since their lifestyle is simple, pure, and happy, and also devoid of processed foods.

If you watch the show, you’ll discover that there are some cities being converted to Blue Zones through implementation of policies that create healthy expectations such as restaurants providing healthier choices, controlling sugar amounts in foods, creating more outdoor walking spaces, etc. There are also incentives given to families to help keep their elders living at home instead of placing them in nursing homes. There is a strong belief that changing environment can change lives.

My mother lived to almost 104, but I think in her case, it was despite her diet. She lived through the Great Depression where at times, people were lucky if they got to eat a potato every day, and she also survived the food rations during WWII. After struggling through those times, she made sure her pantry was stocked and I can assure you, there was very little homegrown in her house. That being said, my mother did not drink or smoke and she was constantly active. She worked in the house and out of the house. I really don’t recall ever seeing her relaxing, even though that was partly because she was a martyr. I only remember her constantly cleaning - washing windows, floors, bathrooms, clothes. She never stopped.

My father lived about two weeks shy of 90 so people are always telling me I have great genes. I don’t bank on that though. I’ve lived my life a bit differently than my parents and none of us know what’s in store for us. But I do go to the gym for Zumba, workout with weights at home and living on the third floor, take the stairs as often as possible. I also try to walk often, but unfortunately, there’s a fabulous ice cream parlor right outside my community within walking distance, so there’s that. But they use fresh ingredients with no additives so I think that’s a win. 😊