Dan Buettner, longevity coach and explorer, joined the National Geographic team, and the National Institute on Aging to conduct research on the lifestyles of individuals in three main areas: Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; and Loma Linda, California. Researchers discovered that people in these areas live longer than expected. Due to their findings, these areas were named Blue Zones. The main objective for researching the Blue Zones was to find the aspects and actions in their lives that allowed for their community’s longevity. A lot goes into living a healthy lifestyle, and it’s not an easy task. It’s highly unlikely for my peers to adopt the lifestyle of the older people mentioned in the Blue Zones; many Americans have adapted to a more modern way of living, where convenience usually trumps health.
The primary reason people in Blue Zones live such long lives is due to their healthy eating habits. The inhabitants of Okinawa eat a plant-based, proportioned diet. “[The] diet is known as the Hara, Hatchi, Bu diet. The name comes from a little saying [Okinawa natives] say …show more content…
To grow old, and see your children’s children is not as likely today as it once was, yet, the inhabitants of Sardinia, Okinawa, and Loma Linda defy the odds. In these areas, people can live to be one hundred years old and over. Physical fitness and food choices play a major role in their lives. However, their community plays an even larger one. As Buettner said, “your friends are long-term adventures, and therefore, perhaps the most significant thing you can do to add more years to your life, and life to your years” (19:15-19:25). It’s in the best interest of the people and communities in Virginia to live a life similar to those of Blue Zoners. It’s not going to be easy, but in order to live better lives, it will require us to sacrifice our old habits. Meaning, we’d have to depend less on technology and utilize our own strength and
The primary reason people in Blue Zones live such long lives is due to their healthy eating habits. The inhabitants of Okinawa eat a plant-based, proportioned diet. “[The] diet is known as the Hara, Hatchi, Bu diet. The name comes from a little saying [Okinawa natives] say …show more content…
To grow old, and see your children’s children is not as likely today as it once was, yet, the inhabitants of Sardinia, Okinawa, and Loma Linda defy the odds. In these areas, people can live to be one hundred years old and over. Physical fitness and food choices play a major role in their lives. However, their community plays an even larger one. As Buettner said, “your friends are long-term adventures, and therefore, perhaps the most significant thing you can do to add more years to your life, and life to your years” (19:15-19:25). It’s in the best interest of the people and communities in Virginia to live a life similar to those of Blue Zoners. It’s not going to be easy, but in order to live better lives, it will require us to sacrifice our old habits. Meaning, we’d have to depend less on technology and utilize our own strength and