13 Jan The Gift of Longevity
This is Dan Buettner. He and his brother have biked all over the world. Really. They covered about 40,00 miles biking from Alaska to Argentina, throughout Russia then Africa. If you think he made it into the Guinness Book of World Records, you are right. Three times. During his trips, he became fascinated by demographics and longevity. In other words, he wanted to know why people lived healthier, disability-free, happier and longer lives in different parts of the world. He has identified several areas as what he calls ‘Blue Zones’ . They are in Costa Rica; Loma Linda, California; Ikaria, Greece; Sardinia, Italy and the island of Okinawa, Japan.
YOU MUST
Click here to see Dan Buettner on TED, Ideas Worth Spreading
After all the research Dan and his team of scientists did, they came up with 9 common denominators from the cultures they studies.
RESULTS:
1) Move naturally — be active without thinking about it. Identify activities you enjoy and make them a part of your day. Go back to the good old days when life wasn’t so convenient. No remote for the TV, no Garage door openener, hand mowers, rakes, snow shovels. Enjoy yourself. Ride a bike. Walk every day. Move it
2) Cut calories by 20 percent. Practice “Hara hachi bi,” the Okinawan diet which is a reminder to stop eating once their stomachs are 80 percent full. Trick yourself: Serve the meals on smaller plates, put the food away, then sit and eat.
3) Vegetable-based diet. Not vegetarian, but eat tons of veggies, fruits, beans, rice, tofu, nuts and smaller portions of chicken and meat.
4) Drink red wine. a couple of glasses a day. Good news, right? Keep a bottle of red wine near at the dinner table.
5) Make sure you know why you get up in the morning. What are you doing with your life? Write your goals and purpose statements down. Write your Bucket List and do it!
6) De stress. Practice Yoga, meditate, have quiet time. Turn anything electrical off. Don’t make yourself crazy by rushing. If you are late, guess what. You are late.
7) Be a part of your religious community. Find new traditions to practice within, become involved.
8) Make family your priority. Have movie or game night, take walks, eat dinner together at night. If you live alone, get closer to your good friends by doing the same thing. Make your friends your priority
9) Pick the right tribe . The people surrounding you influence your health as you all live the same lifestyle. If they walk, you will. If they eat for four hours straight, so will you. If you have negative people in your life, reevaluate your relationship with them.!
