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Ageing well and longevity has become big business in recent years with an ageing population. But the results of the findings of recent studies into “Blue Zones” will come as no surprise to many older people who have perhaps been telling us all along just how we need to live (but did we listen?) If you’ve been silently shaking your head at some of the younger generation you may now feel validated 🙂
Blue zones are geographical locations where the population has a higher likelihood of living beyond 100. Now while we’re sure it is pretty wonderful to receive a letter from the King, the people in these zones also had lower rates of chronic disease and a better quality of life. That is definitely something to get excited about!
The areas studied were;
Ikaria, Greece: A tiny island in the Aegean Sea with mountainous terrain and seaside villages.
Loma Linda, California: A community of over 9,000 Seventh-day Adventists, residing in a small city in San Bernardino County.
Sardinia, Italy: The second largest Italian island (after Sicily), peppered with hidden beaches and rocky coastline.
Okinawa, Japan: A group of more than 160 islands surrounded by cerulean waters with a subtropical climate.
Nicoya, Costa Rica: An unspoiled peninsula on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, known for its surf breaks and sandy beaches.
Dan Buettner and his team of researchers have been studying these five communities. His book, The Blue Zones Secrets for Living Longer by Dan Bueettner, is a great book to add to your personal collection or borrow from the library. There is also a Netflix series, Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones.
Five key elements that are included in the lives of those living in these places of high longevity are as follows;
Sense of Community
All of the thriving people in the blue zones had a very strong sense of community. Meeting regularly through the week with their family or a chosen group of friends to enjoy shared activities or to simply check in on each other and share a meal. Having your support worker come and enjoy a cup of tea is not the frivolous activity you might think. Our mental and physical health benefits from these simple interactions. If you have people that you are struggling to stay in touch with, let your support worker know as there may be ways they can support you to access things like facetime phone calls and replying to emails.
Plant based foods The diets of the people in these blue zones were rich with plants whole grains and beans. They weren’t vegetarian but made sure the protein in their diets was balanced with veggies. Local and in season veggies are often cheaper than those that have been stored and can last longer in the fridge. If you're not sure your support worker can help you discover a new market to shop at or add some wholefood to your next online order.
Sleep A good night's sleep is essential for good cognitive function.
Getting to bed for at least 7 hours (not in front of the tele) or alternatively making sure you have a good nap in the afternoon. Waking with the daylight and sleeping with the sunset might sound old fashioned but it’s proven to be helpful for so many elements of our health. If you’re struggling with your sleep, chat to your support worker next time they are over or make an appointment with your GP as there are lots of lifestyle things that can help to improve your sleep.
Move in a way that feels good for you
The interesting thing about the people studied in the blue zones is that they moved in their everyday lives for at least every 20 mins throughout the day. It was a life filled with regular movement doing gardening, cooking or walking around the house that maintained wellbeing, some did have more rigorous exercise practices, like swimming or horse riding however it wasn’t essential. The Japanese word Ikigai which translates to ‘the happiness of always being busy’ suggests not only movement but a sense of purpose that supports longevity. The book Ikagai by Hector Gatcia and Francesc Miralles is another great book to look out for or borrow from the library next time you're there.
Drinking Mindfully
Believe it or not the blue zones weren’t alcohol free but enjoyed small amounts of wine usually consumed with meals shared by friends and family. They didn't drink to excess and it wasn’t used in a mindless way.
These elements might once have been considered common sense, but can become harder to maintain due to a variety of life circumstances. Here at HomeCare Australia we love supporting you to regain your sense of wellbeing and your support workers are perfectly placed to talk to about any elements of life that are challenging for you right now. From helping you order your groceries to enjoying cooking a favourite recipe together, to feeling a sense of community through attending local activities we think we might just be able to create our own Blue Zones.
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