Lope Toward Longevity

If you want to see many leap years to come, you might want to take the advice of people who live in Blue Zones – places where people live exceptionally long lives.

The average American’s lifespan is 77 years old, and 60% of us have at least one chronic health condition. But in other places, like Costa Rica, Greece, Italy, Japan and even Loma Linda, California, many people live to be 100. They’re also extremely healthy. So, what’s their secret?

Many people in Blue Zones are rocking so many candles on their birthday cakes because of lifestyle habits that include:

• Adding more natural movement to daily activities. For example, you can walk to the store rather than hit the gym.
• Drinking alcohol in moderation. Excessive alcohol use can increase heart rate, blood pressure and stress hormones.
• Eating a (mostly) plant-based diet. Studies show that adhering to a Mediterranean diet can reduce heart attack, stroke and heart disease-related death risks among high-risk patients by up to 30%.

Eating until you’re 80% full, then stopping, can help stave off weight gain. This is common in Okinawa, where people have some of the lowest heart disease, cancer and stroke rates.

Finding ways to relieve stress. This might include naps, exercise, reading or meditation.

Forging connections with family and friends that encourage healthy behaviors. A study by the American Psychologist found social connection reduces the chances of premature death by 50%.

Knowing your purpose or goal in life. One study found people with a strong sense of purpose lowered their risk of death by 15%.

Who knew we’d ever want to be blue?

Just because these zones and water are both blue, doesn’t mean you need to jump off the deep end. You are less likely to succeed if you implement all these tips simultaneously. Studies suggest that forming new habits works better when focusing on one thing at a time. And don’t beat yourself up if you backslide now and then. It takes about two months before a new behavior becomes a habit.

If you want to improve your health by changing your diet, exercise regimen or approach to mental health, you should first consult your doctor. Don’t forget to discuss your family health history, including age and longevity, as conditions can run in families.

We’re so glad you’ve leaped at the chance to improve your heart health, but you may have forgotten when to schedule regular screenings with your doctor. Coming up next, we’ll give you some friendly reminders of when to hop to those appointments.