That said, these regions still offer us valuable insight into the kind of lifestyles that supporthealthy agingand longevity.
Asare Christian, a board-certified physician specializing in cellular health and longevity.
“Prayer is a powerfulself-regulation tool.
Ippei Naoi / Getty Images
Whether religious or spiritual, it gives the nervous system a moment to pause and reset,” saysDr.
Cynthia Edwards-Hawver, a licensed clinical psychologist based in Pennsylvania.
This matters becausemanaging stressplays a key role in protecting the mind and body and slowing aging.
When stress levels stay high for too long, the body produces morecortisol, a stress hormone.
Kimberly Horn, research psychologist and professor at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg.
Moreover, chronic stress shrinks thehippocampus, which is critical for memory and learning, adds Dr. Edwards-Hawver.
Sense Of Purpose
People in Blue Zones also have a strongsense of purpose.
“Knowing your purpose provides direction and meaning, especially during difficult times,” saysAlyssa Petersel, LCSW.
“It alsoboosts self-esteem, reducesfeelings of hopelessness, and keeps us motivated and engaged,” she adds.
Knowing your purpose provides direction and meaning, especially during difficult times.
Having a clear sense of purpose may also affect how long we live.
Social Connections And Belonging
Blue Zone communities thrive on meaningful social connections.
Sardinians, for instance, have close-knit communities and a family-centric lifestyle.
“My mom is from a small town, and there were some centenarians there.
Whenever we visited my grandfather, we’d stop by some of them, too.
They had stories for us, they had treatsa cookie, a chocolate, a coin.
Meanwhile, Okinawans have a tradition of formingMoaislifelong circles of friends who share values, purpose, and interests.
“Supportive relationshipsdont eliminate stress but help us metabolize it.
Supportive relationships dont eliminate stress but help us metabolize it.
Another meta-analysis reviewshowed that loneliness can carry health risks similar to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
People living in Blue Zones are mindful of not only what they eat but also how much they eat.
For instance, Okinawans followHara Hachi Bu, aka ‘the 80% rule.’
Mindful eatinginvites us to slow down and actually listen to our bodies.
“This builds interoceptive awareness, which is a key part of emotional regulation,” says Giolitti-Wright.
Physical Activity
Blue Zone communities prioritizemindful movementover structured workouts.
Think regular, low-impact activities like walking, gardening, cooking, and cycling.
“Regular movement keeps our bodies strong, our moods more balanced, and our minds sharp.
Its more about making small, intentional shifts.
And the best part?
you could start right where you are.
National Center For Health Statistics.FastStats - Life Expectancy.
2004;39(9):1423-1429. doi:10.1016/j.exger.2004.06.016.
2010;7(7):e1000316.
