The Blue Zones: Lessons For Living Longer From The People Who’ve Lived The Longest.                                                  By Dan Buettner, National Geographic, 2008.

Dan Buettner and other longevity scientists, with backing from National Geographic traveled around the globe to places were centenarians were a radically disproportionate part of the population.  The journey starts in Sardinia, jumps around the world to Okinawa, studies Loma Linda, California’s Seventh Day Adventists, then dives into the jungles of Costa Rica gleaning commonalities of not only the “long life” but the vigorous, happy and healthy one too.  Buettner and his crew found that in these little isolated pockets wellness for the over a lifestyle was done a bit differently in each setting, but all shared ways of living that we all need to emulate.  Much of it comes down to nine recommended actions that Buettner calls “The Power 9”.

The “blue zones” are the longevity hotspots around the world where folks live to a ripe old age and keep on living for about thirty more years or so!  The biggest message from The Blue Zones book is that how long we live is 70-80% more about lifestyle and culture than it is about genetics.

The Power 9
1. Move (find ways to move mindlessly, make moving unavoidable)
2. Plan de Vida (know your purpose in life)
3. Down Shift (work less, slow down, rest, take vacation)
4. 80% Rule (stop eating when you’re 80% full)
5. Plant-Power (more veggies, less protein and processed foods)
6. Red Wine (consistency and moderation)
7. Belong (create a healthy social network)
8. Beliefs (spiritual or religious participation
9. Your Tribe (make family a priority)

Before you pack your bags and check out work visas, know that in all of these blue zones except for the Loma Linda folks, it is mainly the older generation that are continuing to remain on the road to long life.  The younger generations in Sardinia and Okinawa have embraced the higher stress, fast paced and fast fed lifestyle and are showing much worse health stats than their grandparents!  The cultures supporting these centenarians are disappearing.  It is a real warning for all of us to become a lot more conscious about how we live our lives and how wellness is impacted greatly by the culture and environment we live in.

The book is an easy read (with scientific grounding) and a huge bestseller.  Buettner has made the scene on all the big TV talk shows and even has been doing a regular installment on his current work on a Greek island for CNN.  Follow it all and find out more on his website: www.bluezones.com.