You are probably wondering
why I’m writing this article and what’s it doing in a “Plastic Surgery”
blog. Well, the answer is pretty simple
really, if you think about it. Whatever
we do to our bodies and faces, if we can’t maintain it with proper nutrition,
it all goes down the drain. Right? Is the answer found in the “Fountain of Youth”,
one of history’s long sought-after mysteries or should we look for answers
amongst the people who live longer and healthier lives? I believe that the
trick is actually there!
What are blue zones?
Blue
Zone
is a concept used to identify a demographic and/or geographic area of the world
where people live measurably longer and healthier lives, as described in Dan
Buettner's book, "The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from people
who lived the longest." Several of these blue zones
exist, and in each of these places people living to 90 or even 100 years is
common. And they aren’t just living long either – these people are living
healthy – without medication or disability.
The five
blue zones are:
· The Italian island of
Sardinia
· Okinawa, Japan
· Loma Linda, California
· Costa Rica’s isolated
Nicoya Peninsula
· Ikaria, an isolated and
beautiful Greek island in the Aegean Sea
What’s their
secret?
Cutting
to the chase … their secret is really no surprise. It’s their lifestyle! And the right lifestyle
can have a dramatic impact on longevity and health. It is a matter of waking up and realizing
that the gift of a long and healthy life is already in the hands of each and
every one of us. The aim though should
be to … keep a good grip on this gift and never let go. It’s a matter of choice!
How to create
your own Blue Zone?
Follow
the 9 lessons learned from the inhabitants of the Blue Zones and create your
own “Fountain of Youth”:
1.
Move naturally – no need to run marathons
or pump iron, simply work around the house and garden, walk, cycle etc. In other words be active.
2.
Know your purpose – give yourself a reason
for waking up each and every morning but creating dreams, building upon them
and pursue them with passion.
3.
Kick back – say goodbye to stress
and slow down. Easier said than done for
most, but there is a way. Take a nap in
the middle of the day, go to happy hour after work, meditate, take a few deep
breaths, go on vacation whenever possible …
4.
Eat less – food is there to keep us
going, not to stop us altogether. Huge
meals will only bring us down. The 80%
rule states that we should stop eating when we are 80% full. Also, 80% of the food we eat now is to keep
us going, the other 20% is to keep our doctors going!
5.
Eat less meat – The less meat we eat,
the better off we are. In the US there
is a tremendous overconsumption of meat.
Basically, the Mediterranean Diet is the one to follow, with beans being
the cornerstone of most centenarians. Thus opt for vegetables and more “live”
foods, rather than processed ones.
6.
Drink in moderation – “Is it WINE-o’clock
yet”? Have a glass or two of red wine every day.
7.
Have faith – denomination does not
matter at all, but attending faith-based services seems to do. So, feed your soul, not just your body.
8.
Power of love – put your family first.
9.
Stay social – build a social network
that supports healthy behaviors and consciously choose to “associate with the
right people”, as Dan Buettner says!
The final
lesson:
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