Down Shift: The Third Habit for a Blue Zone Lifestyle: Health Blog

Did you find clarity in your purpose last week? Through the handful of Bible studies I attend at the moment, I feel called to serve – now I start the discovery process of how to do that :).

This week I want to focus on the third healthy habit from the Power 9™: move naturally, know your purpose, down shift, 80% rule, plant slant, wine at 5, family first, belong, right tribe.

According to Blue Zones Project, stress leads to chronic inflammation, which is associated with every major age-related disease. Although everyone experiences stress, the world's longest-lived people have routines to shed that stress. Okinawans take a few moments each day to remember their ancestors, Adventists pray, Ikarians take a nap and Sardinians do happy hour.

We could have a lot of fun reducing our stress this week! In addition to improving your physical and emotional health by finding a stress-relief strategy that works for you, also consider these anti-inflammatory tips from Dr. Stephen Chaney: no smoking, weight management, exercise, balanced blood sugar, minimal fats, controlled blood pressure, low glycemic foods, antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, resveratrol. I would add alfalfa and vitamin B – which also helps with stress. Food for thought: many of these nutritional suggestions for inflammation reduce the stress on our body systems which reduces our chances of major age-related diseases.

We can blend these tangible activities and nutrients to help us live longer, healthier lives – starting at ANY age.

Stay tuned next week for a look at healthy habit number three – 80% rule.

For your FREE consultation (in person, over the phone, via email), speaking and training needs, tips, or gift certificates, please contact Jessica Crouch: www.ChooseToImprove.com, Jessica@OrganizeAnywhere.com, 319-504-6689.

Remember, reaching a goal with help is better than not reaching it at all: creating healthier lives, empowering others to live their purpose and dreams.