Is it possible to live much longer than we already do? In the majority of the developed world, life expectancy has increased throughout the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, and generally sits at around eighty years across both sexes. However, it appears to have topped out, and is now trending back downwards.
Dan Buettner is a longevity expert who has traveled the world researching the underlying habits societies that live the longest. He calls these longevity hotspots the Blue Zones. There are five specific regions in the world, and one of them is located here is in Costa Rica in the Nicoya Peninsula.
Buettner was able to identify a number of common threads that ran throuhgh these different societies and organized this information into nine specific categories. This suggests that there are very specific things that individuals and societies can do to live longer and all of these categories are parts of an integrated whole, a way of living. The Costa Rica lifestyle and culture really provides most of the blueprint to these habits below and it is one of the premises for our book, Recipes from Costa Rica, Living Longer, Healthier & Happier. Costa Rica is a beautiful country, yes, gorgeous beaches, friendly people, but for me, I feel it is the healthier living and lifestyle that is really the reason for making the move here. Check out the 9 categories that Buettner has identified to living longer and you’ll quickly see how Costa Rica was desginated as one of the very few blue zones in the world. And dont forget to check out our book here.
Family First
Having a caring, supportive and positive family environment can give peace of mind, security, happiness, and companionship.
Belong to a Positive Community
Connect with your neighbors, your colleagues, make friends, be positive and have a sense of community.
Have a Sense of Faith
Investing in your spiritual side gives you a reason to keep going.
Find Purpose
Make sure you stay useful to yourself and society as a whole, as there is genuine evidence to suggest it will keep you young.
Minimize Stress
Allow your body and mind to rest and heal through meditation, breathwork or hanging out with friends and family.
Eat a Mainly Plant-Based Diet
Eat locally sourced, nutrient-dense whole foods, predominantly plant-based, with plenty of wild herbs and spices.
Eat Mindfully
Eat mindfully and slowly until you are about eighty percent full, and then stop. Also, a caloric restriction is a key driver of longevity.
Drink Wine
Wine is rich in antioxidants and has multiple benefits if consumed in moderation.
Move more
Engage in a high volume of low-level physical activity continuously throughout the day, which has been shown to contribute to longevity.
