They Enjoy Meals but don't Overeat
Blue zones, or places with an unusually high number of 100-year-olds, tend to have an unspoken custom: they eat mindfully.
Looking back at the Okinawa study, they have an adage that says, "Eat only until your stomach is 80 percent full."
As it turns out, Okinawans consume about 1,900 calories daily throughout their lives, whereas Americans generally consume twice that amount.
Eating to much over-stresses our metabolic system. Maintaining a balanced diet is associated with lower levels of oxidative stress, inflammation, insulin sensitivity, and other conditions that speed up aging.
In addition, they share and enjoy mealtimes with family and friends.
The quality of the food also matters.
Simply put, they eat healthy foods.
The diets of these blue zones are drastically different from those of the general population in the United States and other industrialized countries.
What they tend to have in common isn't what they eat; it is what they don't eat.
Obviously, they don't eat many processed foods high in fat and sugar.
For example, in Sardinia, the Mediterranean diet consumed consists of fish, fruits, vegetables, and healthy oils which are typically locally sourced.
Have you ever heard the saying, global problems, local solutions.
And once again, this brings us to our next point.
The Importance of Community and Connection
More often than not, areas with higher-than-usual concentrations of centenarians have a strong sense of community. For many, religion provides this connection.
For example, the only known blue zone in the United States is a community of Seventh-day Adventists. Coincidence?
No matter the denomination or community affiliation or type of connection, maintaining quality social interactions has been linked with better health. At the same time, social isolation has been associated with an increased risk of inflammation and worsened hypertension.
Studies published in the Journal of the American Heart Association and Cancer have also associated a strong community connection with better recovery from illness and disease.
And what do people tend to do when they gather...
The Power of the Great Outdoors
Part of the advantage of living in a rural, close-knit community instead of a densely packed city is the accessibility to nature.
And what are the great outdoors perfect for?
Gardening and Walking, of course! Wink-Wink
No matter where they live this group of people treats spending time outdoors as non-negotiable. But you don't have to live in an idyllic country setting to cultivate this life-long habit.
For example, Loma Linda, California, populated by Seventh-day Adventists, is far from a rural. However, they promote getting outdoors in their belief system. Their manual states, "…we live intelligently in accordance with health principles of exercise, respiration, sunshine, pure air, use of water, sleep, and rest."
You can't go wrong following that advice!
But why is being outside so helpful?
When you're outdoors, you're generally physically active. In addition, you're more likely to interact with others. These things make us happy, and happy feelings tend to promote a more positive outlook on life.
On that note...
They Have a Positive Outlook on Life
The lifestyle habits of many centenarian communities may differ, but one thing they have in common is they have a positive mindset. They're resilient, adapt and overcome, and remain optimistic throughout their lifetimes.
Optimism has been tied to higher levels of self-perceived health. When you feel healthy and prevent disease with healthy habits, you have a better chance of making it to the centenarian club!
But let's not fool ourselves. It isn't about becoming a member of some club. It's about living a happy, healthy, and fulfilled life until the end.
If you didn't pick up on the subtext or need more convincing, here are eight more reasons why gardening may be one of the healthiest lifestyle habits you can cultivate.
It increases strength and provides a great workout, in turn controlling weight
It feeds not only our bodies but communing with nature also feeds our souls
It improves the environment by creating a bio-diverse ecosystem in our own backyards
Working with the elements and plants boosts our immune systems
It increases hand-eye coordination, in turn improving brain health
Most importantly, to plant a garden is to have hope for the future
Cheers to a happy, healthy future,
The Grow Network Team