{"id":6828,"date":"2023-08-24T20:24:34","date_gmt":"2023-08-24T13:24:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=6828"},"modified":"2023-08-24T20:24:34","modified_gmt":"2023-08-24T13:24:34","slug":"4-healthy-lifestyle-habits-from-the-blue-zones","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=6828","title":{"rendered":"4 Healthy Lifestyle Habits from the Blue Zones"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p> <span class=\"drop-cap__first text-dropcap \">D<\/span>oes it seem like every piece of health advice you get boils down to one of two things\u2014diet and exercise? Or, every time you visit the doctor, they give you the same off-the-script speech about healthy lifestyle habits that are basically just \u201ceat well\u201d and \u201cmove more\u201d?<\/p>\n<p>Of course, fitness and nutrition <em>are<\/em> fundamentally two of the best things you can do for your body. This is pretty undisputed. But there are other things you can do to improve your health, too\u2014and some of them are actually <em>really<\/em> enjoyable (we promise!).<\/p>\n<p>Take it from the communities around the globe known as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/blue-zone-guide\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/blue-zone-guide\/\">Blue Zones<\/a>\u2014the regions where people live the longest, healthiest lives (identified by National Geographic Fellow and acclaimed writer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bluezones.com\/dan-buettner\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.bluezones.com\/dan-buettner\/\">Dan Buettner<\/a>). Most of the individuals living into their 90s and beyond in these areas aren\u2019t following the latest diet or running on a treadmill at a boutique bootcamp studio. They\u2019re living well-rounded lifestyles that put a major emphasis on pleasure and joy.<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<hr\/>\n<p>\u201cEven if you don&#8217;t reside in a Blue Zone, adopting these principles can have a profound impact on your health and longevity,\u201d says <a href=\"https:\/\/phlabs.com\/Board-Of-Directors\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/phlabs.com\/Board-Of-Directors\">Joy Stephenson-Laws, JD,<\/a> founder of the renowned health education nonprofit <a href=\"https:\/\/phlabs.com\/About-Us\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/phlabs.com\/About-Us\">Proactive Health Labs<\/a>. She says we can all learn from these Blue Zone habits, and implement them into our own day-to-day. \u201cBy making simple yet significant lifestyle changes, anyone can follow the path to a healthier and potentially longer life,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n<p>Here are four Blue Zone-inspired healthy lifestyle habits for longevity that feel like anything <em>but<\/em> a chore.<\/p>\n<h2>1. Take it easy<\/h2>\n<p>\u201cDownshift,\u201d recommends Stephenson-Laws. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/physical-ways-relieve-stress\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/physical-ways-relieve-stress\/\">Manage stress<\/a> effectively, as chronic stress can lead to inflammation and various chronic illnesses.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content \" style=\"\" data-module-init=\"related-content\" data-module-immediate=\"\" v-cloak=\"\">\n<div class=\"related-content__wrapper \" v-cloak=\"\" :class=\"{'is-loaded':isLoaded}\">\n<p> <span class=\"inline pr-6 text-seafoam-dark\">Related Stories<\/span> <\/p>\n<p> <related-content class=\"related-content__links\" parent-article-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/healthy-lifestyle-habits-blue-zones\/\" current-title=\"4 Actually-Enjoyable Longevity Habits That Can Help You Stay Healthier for Longer\u2014No Diet or Exercise Involved\" current-image=\"GettyImages-healthy-lifestyle-habits-425x285.jpg\" v-on:parsely-posts-loaded=\"onPostsLoaded\" start-date=\"2023-02-24\" tag=\"div\" inline-template=\"\" url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/healthy-lifestyle-habits-blue-zones\/\" secret=\"w5ztterVB03LGZJLfXS0hf3EvQBuFFIWew9hmVQxthU\" apikey=\"wellandgood.com\" limit=\"3\"> <\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"related-content__card mb-[10px] sm:mb-[20px]\" :class=\"{'related-content__card--full':posts.length === 1}\" v-for=\"(post, key) in posts\"> <a v-on:click.prevent=\"trackLinkGA($event, key)\" :href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/healthy-lifestyle-habits-blue-zones\/post.url\" data-url-source=\"related-content\" class=\"related-content__link\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"\"> <\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content__card--image bg-tan\" :style=\"{ backgroundImage: 'url(' + post.image_url + ')' }\"> <img :src=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/healthy-lifestyle-habits-blue-zones\/post.image_url\" :alt=\"post.title\"\/> <\/div>\n<p> <\/a>  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <\/related-content> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>None of the Blue Zone areas are in major metropolitan cities\u2014and perhaps there\u2019s a correlation between the pace of life and health. Perhaps it\u2019s a bit of the \u201cisland life\u201d state of mind. Aside from Loma Linda (a California suburb 60 miles east of Los Angeles) and Costa Rica, the other three Blue Zones are on actual islands: Okinawa, Sardinia, Ikaria are all surrounded by water, separated from the hustle and bustle.<\/p>\n<p>This isn\u2019t to say that you\u2019re doomed if you live in a city, but more to point out that a slower pace of life can contribute to your wellbeing. How can you slow down? Maybe there are commitments you can say &#8220;no&#8221; to, or ways to build more breaks into your days.<\/p>\n<h2>2. Embrace happy hour<\/h2>\n<p>If you don\u2019t already drink, this isn\u2019t your call to start\u2014alcohol as an ingredient has no health benefits. But Blue Zone communities (except for Loma Linda, which is primarily comprised of sober Seventh Day Adventists) tend to imbibe before dinner with friends and family. An aperitif, if you will.<\/p>\n<p>So if you do enjoy a glass of wine, have one at five rather than a late-night binge, says Stephenson-Laws. \u201cModerating alcohol consumption [can help you] maintain optimal health and avoid potential adverse effects.\u201d What&#8217;s more, there&#8217;s plenty to be said about the longevity-boosting benefits of giving yourself a ritual that helps you to destress (see above) and find some camaraderie and connection, which leads us to\u2026<\/p>\n<h2>3. Prioritize your social life<\/h2>\n<p>One of the best components discovered about the Blue Zone lifestyle habits? The sense of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/social-connection-longevity\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/social-connection-longevity\/\">social connectedness<\/a>. \u201cBelonging is essential,\u201d says Stephenson-Laws. \u201cBuilding a supportive community, whether through faith-based services or positive social networks, contributes to a longer life.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Put your relationships first\u2014before work and other priorities. Investing your time in your family and building friendships can foster a sense of support, stave off <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/types-of-loneliness\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/types-of-loneliness\/\">loneliness<\/a>, and give you greater purpose. \u201cSurround yourself,\u201d says Stephenson-Laws.<\/p>\n<p>Ask yourself: What can you do this week\u2014or right now\u2014to improve your social health? It can be simpler than you think. Maybe invite someone on a walk. Schedule a catch-up call with a friend. Or introduce yourself to someone new at yoga class.<\/p>\n<h2>4. Find your happy<\/h2>\n<p>It\u2019s easy to default into cynicism under the guise of \u201crealism\u201d\u2014but it\u2019s far more courageous to choose joy and optimism in spite of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/dont-care-about-aliens\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/dont-care-about-aliens\/\">hurdles<\/a>. \u201cEmbracing a sense of purpose and positive attitude [is a Blue Zone habit],\u201d says Stephenson-Laws. \u201cThis can significantly contribute to a healthy and happy life.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Though gratitude, optimism, and finding meaning aren\u2019t necessarily the easiest things to implement right away, this formula can have a significant impact on your physiological and psychological well-being. And it\u2019s free\u2014no supplements or gym memberships required.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1675549\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<script>(function(w,q){w[q]=w[q]||[];w[q].push([\"_mgc.load\"])})(window,\"_mgq\");\r\n<\/script>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Does it seem like every piece of health advice you get boils down to one of two things\u2014diet and exercise? Or, every time you visit the doctor, they give you the same off-the-script speech about healthy lifestyle habits that are basically just \u201ceat well\u201d and \u201cmove more\u201d? Of course, fitness and nutrition are fundamentally two &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":6829,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6828","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6828","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6828"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6828\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/6829"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6828"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6828"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6828"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}