- By: The Pizza Plant
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Something we all have in common? We want to live happy lives – happy, healthy, long lives that allow us to explore our true selves, experience the world around us, and spend time with loved ones across multiple generations. Sure, we all can agree on a few things that will help us achieve this: eating healthy, exercising, avoiding toxin intake, etc. But, have you ever wondered if there is more you could be doing to increase your lifespan and quality of life? Is there a particular way of living we could be striving for or a group of people we could look to as role models? Turns, out there is.
Dan Buettner, a National Geographic explorer, along with his team of scientists and anthropologists had the same questions. They set out to study the different regions of the word where data showed that people live the longest. What they found? 5 regions they called “blue zones,” where people lived the longest, healthiest lives. Specifically, they’re areas where people consistently reach the age of 100, in contrast to the average lifespan of 77 across the United States. They studied these areas of the world and shared all they learned in articles, speeches, and books. Today, we’re going to break down the characteristics of people living in these blue zones. What exactly is it about the environment, the typical lifestyle, and the people in these communities that makes their average lifespan so high? Read on to find out!
One thing we know for certain based on countless scientific research? A plantbased lifestyle is one of the (if not the) healthiest diets you can follow. At The Pizza Plant, we’re all about implementing the plantbased diet into your life for not only the betterment of your health, but the health of the planet. Our plantbased pizzas are crafted from scratch, using only 100% plantbased and organic ingredients. You can try our two signature pizzas today by heading to the frozen section of your local grocery store or shopping online on the GTFO It’s Vegan Marketplace. A healthy happy life starts with the healthiest (not to mention tastiest) pizzas from The Pizza Plant!
You’re probably wondering, where are the 5 blue zones? Here they are, along with a bit of info you should know about them:
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Sardinia, Italy: The longest-lived men ever lived here
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Okinawa, Japan: The longest-lived women lived here
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Loma Linda, California: This community outlives the average American by 10 years on average. It is a primarily Seventh-day Adventist community.
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Ikaria, Greece: A small island community that has significantly lower rates of chronic disease.
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Nicoya, Costa Rica: People here are twice as likely to reach age 90 than Americans
After conducting thorough research in these five blue zones, Buettner and his team landed upon 9 characteristics that serve as the core healthy principles to follow to achieve “blue zone living” . They are as follows:
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Incorporating movement naturally throughout your day: Think walking, swimming, gardening, or any other form of movement you personally enjoy.
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Knowing your sense of purpose: Yep, these characteristics are not all physical. Mental health is incredibly important as well, and feeling like a valued, purposeful member of your society is pivotal to your overall well-being.
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Prioritizing stress relief: High stress levels can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. No joke!
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Eating only until you’re about 80% full: Our advice? Practice intuitive eating.
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Eating a primarily plantbased diet: You already know how we feel about this one!
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Consuming alcohol in moderation: We’re all familiar with how bad alcohol can be for your health and wellness. Consume it mindfully.
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Connecting with your community: Going back to that sense of purpose! We as humans need social connection to thrive, so interact with people, give back, and help yourself by helping others.
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Staying close with your family: This doesn’t have to be your biological family. Find your tribe and stick with them.
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Engaging in social circles that promote healthy behaviors: It’s only natural that we adapt the behaviors we consistently see around us. Make sure the ones you’re witnessing are constructive and positively influential.
Want to learn more about implementing a blue zone way of living into your personal lifestyle? Click here. We hope you feel inspired to make some changes in your life – ‘cause we certainly do!
Found this post insightful? Be sure to spread the blue zone message by sharing it with a friend or family member. For all The Pizza Plant grocery locations and to find one near you, visit our store locator page. To order nationwide shipping, visit our delivery page.
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