Blue Zones outlines steps to live a good life
According to the North American Division (NAD) website, in 2020, Adventist Health acquired a nationally recognized leader in well-being, known as Blue Zones. Founded in 2004 by National Geographic explorer Dan Buettner, Blue Zones has now begun projects across the country impacting over four million Americans and dropping obesity and addiction rates nationwide.
The Blue Zones website states that the project started as an informational exploration into the happiest, longest living communities in the world. During its founding, Dan Buettner researched five different international locations, acclaimed to be the healthiest communities on earth, in order to discover how they lived so well. After compiling the data from places such as Sardinia, Italy and our own Loma Linda, Calif., Buettner formed a list of nine lifestyle habits that make life long, happy and productive. Now, they are working to put that list into action through community programs involving Adventist Health Employees through the U.S.
Blue Zones stated that each habit in the Power 9® is designed to make you feel and live your best. Here are some of the habits the Power 9® recommends people adopt.
Move Naturally
Earth’s longest living people don’t hit the gym or kill themselves running marathons. Instead, they find ways to move in their everyday lives. For the average person this could look like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, biking instead of driving or cleaning your room instead of watching YouTube.
Purpose
Whether it’s work, friends or religion, knowing why you wake up in the morning not only staves off depression, but could add seven years to your life according to Blue Zones.
80% Rule
Leave the table when you’re 80% full. To avoid starvation or gluttony, leave that 20% gap between hungry and full. This can help control your weight and stress levels.
Belong
According to the Blue Zones Power 9® page, “Research shows that attending faith-based services could add fourteen years to your life.” Finding that community that accepts and supports you, specifically, Buettner says, a faith based community, is important.
Down Shift
Part of the Power 9® is participating in intentional daily and weekly wind-down time. This allows your brain to detox from the stress of being alive.
According to Adventist Health, clinical healthcare makes up only 20% of a person's health while 80% is contributed to lifestyle and habits. Find the remaining steps as well as information about Adventist Blue Zone projects at BlueZones.com.
https://www.nadadventist.org/news/adventist-health-leads-movement-improve-well-being
https://www.bluezones.com/2016/11/power-9/
https://www.bluezones.com/articles/
https://www.bluezones.com/community/
By Sophia Jaquez