We’re in it for the long haul, guys. Join us?

by The Candidly Team

We’re always game to learn new things about how to live longer, healthier lives.

It’s actually kind of our whole deal.

Sure, we might veer off into long lists of how to look younger or dress in a way that doesn’t age us 1-2 decades. But really, what’s the point of any of that if we aren’t thriving from the inside out?

Which brings us to Blue Zones.

We realize the term has been a little buzzy lately, but for those of you in the gray, Blue Zones refer to five small and specific spots scattered around the world where people most commonly live to be over 100.

And when we say scattered, we do mean scattered.

Dan Buettner, a New York Times bestselling author and National Geographic Fellow and Explorer, has been investigating Blue Zones for years, a task that recently resulted in a Netflix docuseries (hence the buzz). He and his “team of medical researchers, anthropologists, demographers, and epidemiologists” have wanted to understand what commonalities might exist amongst these communities that could help explain their beefed up life expectancy.

And according to Buettner, it isn’t just the length of Blue Zone residents’ lives that’s so inspiring, but that they tend to be more energetic, active, mentally sharp, and happier.

Now, of course it should be said that Buettner’s gatherings represent one perspective on a multitude of factors that could support human health, but they remain incredibly fascinating … and pretty inspiring.

So, let’s jump right in. Here are the "9 lifestyle “habits” that Buettner and his team believe could be the secret to Blue Zone locals living to 100.

1. Move Naturally

All kinds of studies are sounding alarms on how sitting so much is essentially killing us and how not just exercise but movement in general is a means to help combat the dangers of being sedentary. Unsurprisingly, Blue Zone centenarians (people who live to over 100) are active. And they’re active in organic, ongoing ways that weave into their routines.

Some estimates say they’re on the move in some way every 20 minutes. They tend to do their own yard and outdoor housework. They walk, garden, and basically use their own bodies to carry out tasks and complete physical labors. Sardinians climb the steep hills of their villages just to get around. Ikarians knead their own sourdough.

The lesson here is simple: finding ways to keep our bodies in motion can be critical to longevity.

2. Purpose

Research has linked having a sense of purpose to a lower risk of death and lower likelihood of experiencing cognitive decline. According to Buettner, the fact that Blue Zone residents tend to have a genuine, intent-filled answer to the question of why they get up in the morning is representative of their outlook on life and a key element that contributes to their life expectancy.

3. Downshift

This one is all about practices to help reduce stress and the hazardous inflammation that accompanies it. Every Blue Zone culture embraces some way of unwinding that eases their stress levels, be it napping, praying, or reflecting on their ancestors. Turns out certain practices we associate with another buzzy term, “self-care,” could be life-saving so long as they bring down our stress.

4. 80% Rule

This principle is thousands of years old and comes directly from Okinawa, Japan. And that is to stop eating when you’re 80% full.

Many of us have heard similar versions of this idea, more often in the form of “eat slowly” or “wait 20 minutes to feel full.” But basically, the idea is to have some awareness around when and how you eat, so you can notice when you’ve reached that 80% mark and avoid getting an overly full feeling that can lead to weight gain.

Also, meals tend to get smaller throughout the day in Blue Zones, the biggest being breakfast, the smallest being dinner.

5. Plant Slant

With all the opinions and data that emerges around food and diet every year, we ask that you take the following Blue Zone ideas around what to eat with a grain of salt. That said, can we all acknowledge that what we eat is one of the most critical things to our health? And certain Blue Zone principles, like choosing whole, unprocessed foods and less sugar in order to live longer is about as scientifically backed as anything could be at this point.

For more details around the diets of those who live in Blue Zones, we did a deeper dive HERE. But the basic deal is that they tend to eat around 95% plant-based, with some interesting guidelines captured in this chart:

6. Wine @ 5

We’ve read too many studies of late going on about how even small amounts of alcohol can threaten our health to scary degrees to sign off on this one ourselves. I mean even the World Health Organization has declared that no amount of alcohol is safe for our health.

But apparently some people in Blue Zones tend to be moderate drinkers. It’s worth noting that this idea of “wine at 5” predominantly comes from one location on the Blue Zone map, Sardinia, where a very specific wine called Cannonau is commonly drunk, and it’s usually done so in moderation and in social circles that could be benefitting their health in other ways.

So listen, we’re not your mom, (although maybe she drinks more than you do), and we know lots of people may still choose to consume alcohol, knowing it’s bad for them, but we just can’t put our name on anything that equates drinking with good health at this precise moment in time. We’re sorry, but we’re meant to be “candid,” remember?

7. Belong

Belonging to a faith-based group is incredibly common among centenarians, and studies have shown people who participate in certain faith-based activities could live longer.

8. Loved ones first

Placing incredibly high value on our relationships is something we all feel in our bones is critical to a long, happy existence. But Blue Zone residents really put this into practice. They prioritize real, quality time spent with loved ones, between generations and between couples.

9. Right tribe

What’s more important in life than building trusting, connected, lasting circles of support? Centenarians surround themselves with key, committed friends who encourage a similarly healthful lifestyle - people who cook, walk, laugh, and work alongside them in ways that buoy one another on a consistent basis.

Whether or not we decide that Blue Zone wisdom holds the answers we’ve been looking for, there is one thing we can appreciate about it.

It’s not morbid.

Aren’t most of the above steps just telling us to do the many things we intuitively know are good for us: things that speak more directly to what makes life feel meaningful and makes us feel alive?

Don’t we all want to wind up something like that 100-year-old Ikarian woman, making her way up a cobblestone hill, grandchild chasing after her, meeting at some loved one’s table full of garden-grown dishes, glowing against the sunset?

And ok, maaaaaybe even enjoying one glass of Sardinian wine?

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be used in place of professional advice, medical treatment, or professional care in any way. This article is not intended to be and should not be a substitute for professional care, advice or treatment. Please consult with your physician or healthcare provider before changing any health regimen. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent disease of any kind. Read our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

These 9 Things Could Be The Secret To Living To 100