9 Tips for Living a Longer Life

Blue Zones are recently discovered geographical pockets with unusually high concentrations of people living extremely long, exceptionally healthy lives. National Geographic explorer and writer Dan Buettner has distilled the latest research into his new book The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who’ve Lived the Longest. Here we are sharing Buettner’s Power9 tips from his book.

Move naturally: Walk every day and do your own chores.

Eat mindfully: Take time, use smaller plates and don’t overeat.

Eat meat sparingly: In Loma Linda, vegetarians had half the risk of heart disease and bladder, colon and ovarian cancer compared to meat eaters. Eating nuts five times a week can lower cholesterol and extend your life by two years.

Drink moderately: Enjoy a daily glass or two of red wine.

Live purposefully: Have a reason to get up in the morning.

De-stress regularly: Meditate or take a quiet time alone.

Participate spiritually: Join a faith community.

Love family primarily: Nurture your romantic relationship, enjoy your children, honour your parents.

Partake socially: Surround yourself with life- and health-affirming people.

Want to find out how young you are? Visit bluezones.com and take the Vitality Compass quiz. To learn more about the secrets of the Blue Zones and Dan Buettner author of The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who’ve Lived the Longest pick up the October issue of Zoomer Magazine.