First described by Dan Buettner, national geographic fellow, award-winning journalist, and a New York Times bestselling author, the term "blue zone" describes the environments and the lifestyles of the world's longest-living people. These blue zones are scattered throughout the world (Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece, and Loma Linda, California) and contain communities exhibiting individuals with a much longer lifespan than any other area. They share nine key lifestyle habits, which have been coined the "Power 9" by Dan Buettner. 1. Move naturally through activities like gardening, walking, and cooking. 2. Having a positive outlook on life. 3. Manage stress through pray, taking naps, partake in happy hours with friends and families. 4. Stop eating when you feel 80% full, overeating leads to weight gain and inflammation. 5. Blue Zone diets are 95% plant-based. Meat is served as a small side and is often considered a celebratory food or a way to add flavor to plant-based dishes. 6. Moderate red wine consumption, up to one 5oz glass a day for women and up to two for men. 7. Being a part of meaningful communities, such as being religious is associated with a lower risk of death. 8. Family members are often close. It is common for grandparents to live with their families and help raise their grandchildren. 9. Maintain a fulfilling social life. Dan Buettner and his team of researchers discovered that these lifestyle habits are associated with living longer, so by incorporating them into your daily routine, it could be possible to add a few extra years to your life.
