They Got it Together!
Researchers have discovered Blue Zones, where people enjoy long, healthy lives, and identified the factors contributing to their longevity: consumption, movement, purpose, and social connection. More important than the number of years is the quality. Blue Zoners are generally free of the commonly expressed concern, “I do not want to outlive my good health.”
Blue Zoners do not count calories, rely on magic food, or entirely restrict anything. They consume more vegetables, fruit, and grains and occasionally enjoy meat, cake, and alcohol without overindulging.
Nor do they sweat at the gym or dance to Richard Simmons videos, but they regularly move during their routine daily activities. They are not couch potatoes and, by rising frequently, do a workout full of squats without shouldering a barbell.
They cook at home, which requires walking grocery store aisles, slicing vegetables, kneading dough, lifting pots, washing dishes, etc. These activities appear pedestrian but are Herculean compared to hoisting a bag from the take-out window, unwrapping the paper around the burger, and digging my fingers into the French fry basket.
Blue Zoners find purpose through hobbies, service, and relationships. They tend gardens, walk to meet with friends, attend family gatherings, volunteer at the library, congregate at church, etc.
We reap the benefit of social connection by exchanging a solo five-mile run for an hour of pickleball with friends. Any loss in fitness is more than made up for with better overall wellness. Packs of road cyclists crowd the roads on Saturday mornings for the interaction as much as the exercise.
Blue Zoners get all they need and avoid what they should with their routine activities. Noticeably missing are frequent doctor visits and 28-compartment pill organizers.
What Else?
Mental Health. A healthy outlook about yourself and your life significantly contributes to, and a negative one detracts from, your ability to take the action needed to care for your body. For this reason, the 52 Steps Forward messages primarily focus on improving our disposition. For those who need more than they can do on their own or with the support of family and friends, I urge you to seek professional assistance.
Sleep. Adults need 7+ hours of sleep per night, but 1/3 fail to get it. Thriving on less rest is not a badge of honor, as sleep deprivation is associated with diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, depression, etc. Admittedly, this is an area where I struggle mightily, and I can only offer some suggestions and a (self)admonition to take action.
Social Connection. Maintaining regular relationships with family and friends provides purpose and mental stimulation, and in-person gatherings elevate physical activity. Conversely, social disconnection increases the risk of premature death as much as smoking 15 cigarettes daily.
The Lifestyle
Blue Zoners exemplify that the healthiest treat wellness as a lifestyle, not as a segregated activity attended to infrequently. It is like faith in that it is lived daily, not by checking a box on Sunday.
Changing your habits may be difficult, and you will not see results overnight. But, if you are persistent, the results will come and more than justify the effort, and your desire for sweets and couch rotting will subside over time. As much as I joke about my cheat days, they are much less voracious than when I started.
Wellness programs vary based on your fitness level, genetics, and medical conditions. Whatever your present state, you can do good with what you have. Wherever you begin, you can progress from there.
While not entirely within your control, your actions will significantly influence whether you die (i) unexpectedly at 88 while living at home, enjoying friends and family, and without any serious medical condition or (ii) at 78 after a slow multiyear deterioration in an assisted living cellblock watching an endless loop of Turner Classic Movies.
My inner lawyer instructed me to mention you should consult medical professionals before starting any wellness program.
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Respect and steward your physical resources with a lifestyle fostering wellness. The objective is not just to meet fitness or body image goals but to live a fulfilling life serving yourself and others. Go forth and live well.
