Hello Amazing Women!
This week for #WednesdayWisdom, I want to share some SERIOUS insights from a book I just finished called: The Blue Zones of Happiness -- Lessons from the World's Happiest People.
This book had SO many nuggets of goodness, but I want to present to you some compelling research that author Dan Buettner put together along with medical researchers, anthropologists, demographers, and epidemiologists to unveil 9 healthy lifestyle habits that are shared by people who live the longest.
We all want to live long, healthy lives. Below are the habits that will help us do so. See how many you can put a star next to!
1. MOVE NATURALLY --
The world's longest lived people don't pump iron, run marathons and join gyms. Instead they live in environments that naturally encourage movement: bike to work, have a garden, clean house, go on walks to socialize instead of eating together.
2. 80% RULE --
Eat meals until you are 80% full. The 20% gap between feeling stuffed and merely no longer hungry could be the secret to not gaining weight throughout our lives. People in Blue Zones who have been found to live the longest eat their largest meal in the late afternoon or early evening and eat nothing more beyond that.
3. PLANT SLANT --
Beans -- fava, black, soy and lentils, are the at the center of most centenarian diets. Meat is eaten an average of only 4-5 times per month with the serving size being a deck of cards.
4. PURPOSE --
Knowing your sense of purpose is worth up to 7 extra years of life expectancy. Come discover yours with us on retreat in Costa Rica, one of the Blue Zones!
5. LOVED ONES --
Successful centenarians have healthy relationships with their families. They are in committed relationships (which can add up to 3 years to life expectancy) and have involvement with their children. Often, grandparents help raise young children and these grandparents are then taken care of by their grown children.
6. RIGHT TRIBE --
Research shows that smoking, divorce, depression, obesity AND happiness are contagious. The social networks of long-lived people support and shape healthy behavior. Be scrupulous.
7. BELONG --
Have a strong sense of community. Many of the centenarians interviewed belonged to religious communities. Belief system was not important. Having some kind of regular ritual/ceremonial practices with others adds anywhere from 4-14 years of life expectancy.
8. WINE @ 5 --
People in all Blue Zones drink moderately and regularly. At this point, studies show that moderate drinkers outlive non-drinkers. You can't, however, save up your drinks all week and get hammered on the weekend. Nope. One a day, ladies.
9. DOWNSHIFT --
Even people in Blue Zones experience stress. Find a way that works for you DAILY to alleviate stress. Stress leads to chronic inflammation, which is associated with every major age related disease. Okinawans take a moment each day to remember their ancestors, Sardinians do happy hour, Ikarians take a nap. What do you do with consistency to relieve stress?
There they are, folks. Take a tally. See how many you do well, and which categories need help. Here's to living long and well.
Love,
Brie
Interested in getting clear on your purpose? Downshifting from stress? Feeling like you belong? Finding women who support YOUR personal growth? Eating delicious and healthy plant-based food?
By all means...
March 16-23, 2019
Book now before spots are GONE!
Enjoy this research and concepts presented here? Check out this interview with author/researcher Dan Buettner...SO good.