Getting in the Blue Zone

Getting in the (Blue) Zone

The shared secrets of cultures with fuller, richer life experiences 

“They say that old trees just grow stronger,
And old rivers grow wilder every day.
Old people just grow lonesome
Waiting for someone to say,
‘Hello in there.’ Hello.”
 “Hello in There,” by John Prine

Not infrequently I’ll hear someone who after hearing of a remarkable person who has reached a ripe old age will exclaim, “Ugh! I never want to get that old.” Sadly, our perception and observation of advanced years is often negative, with the sense that not much of value awaits us in the “golden” years. Even though the octogenarian mentioned above may have done something remarkable for her age, in our culture so often “elderly” conjures up visions of poor souls relegated to life in a wheelchair or institution, seeming to just exist rather than live. To the younger healthy observer this seems tragic. 

Is this experience universal? Turns out it isn’t. 

In his 2008 book, The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who’ve Live the Longest,” (National Geographic), Dan Buettner presents information about areas of the world where people tend to live longer and more robust lives than average. Stimulated by work initiated by researchers Michel Poulain and Mario Giovanni that focused on the Nuoro province in Sardinia, Italy, Buettner joined with them and discovered what they eventually termed “Blue Zones” throughout the world. Blue Zones are geographic areas where it is not uncommon for members of that culture to live to the age of 100 or older. The difference is these people are not just existing, but rather are functioning well even up to their 11th decade of life. In addition to Sardinia, the longevity-producing regions include: Okinawa, Japan; Loma Linda, CA; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Icaria, Greece.

While each area has some unique features, the people living within these areas share some characteristics in their lifestyles. The researchers found the cultures within these regions had these things in common:

• Family is put ahead of other concerns
• Less smoking occurs among its members
• They eat a largely plant-based diet, though not necessarily vegetarian
• Moderate physical activity is an inseparable part of daily life
• There is social engagement where multiple generations are active and engaged in the community
• Legumes (beans) are a large of the local diet

In addition it appears that the following characteristics of members of those 5 areas were present:

• Having a life purpose
• Moderate caloric intake
• Moderate alcohol intake, especially wine
• Engagement in spirituality or religion

In a follow up book, The Blue Zones Solution, Buettner suggests and gives examples of ways that the characteristics of the blue zones can be promoted within other cultures. Not a small task! Turns out it’s hard to trade in the strip steak for the kidney beans. Yet in some instances adoption of some of the elements has resulted in impressive improvement in morbidity and mortality of those locations. 

Now, you still may not desire to live to be a hundred, but what if the years you are granted can be fuller, richer experiences with less sickness and disability? Imagine those years living not as someone just sitting and watching life go by as described in the verse above, but rather continuing to live active lives that are enriched with time-honed wisdom and flavored with the seasoning of decades of experiences. Preparation for that time begins now, knowing that there’s no simple formula for that, no 10 steps to living a long vibrant life. 

However, investments can be made toward a rich ending to life. Try this. Take a look at the 2 lists above, and determine which of those things are part of your life now. Celebrate that! Keep doing those things! Of the remaining items, consider what ones you could start to implement or begin to work towards, and move in that direction. Your 100th birthday doesn’t have to be your goal, but living a life full of rich blessings one day at a time can be. Take some steps and see what happens!

And while you’re at it, do you know a “seasoned citizen” who seems isolated or lonely? Give serious thought to reaching out and saying, “Hello in there.”