For any of you searching for a good read, let me recommend “The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who’ve Lived the Longest” by Dan Buettner. The author is a native Minnesotan, world explorer, holder of three Guinness World Records in long distance cycling, and founder of Quest Network, Inc., which creates online, interactive global expeditions for grade school students throughout the world. To say the least, Buettner is one interesting fellow!
Buettner’s research on longevity began with the question: Why is it that in certain areas of the world (which he euphemistically refers to as Blue Zones) a higher percentage of the population lives astoundingly long and healthy lives? Armed with the latest information from longevity experts throughout the world, Buettner traveled to four Blue Zones: Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; Loma Linda, California; and Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica. Winnowing the data down, his team gleaned the following nine lessons from Blue Zone centenarians:
• Move naturally. Be active without having to think about it.
• Painlessly cut calories by 20 percent or learn to stop eating when 80 percent full.
• Avoid meat and processed foods.
• Drink red wine (in moderation, of course).
• Discover your purpose or your “reason for waking up in the morning
• Take time to relieve stress.
• Participate in a spiritual community.
• Make family a priority.
• Be surrounded by those who share Blue Zone values.
Over the last few months the Health and Wellness Committee has been studying The Blue Zones and its lessons. We asked ourselves two questions. First of all, could Lord of Life become a Blue Zone? Secondly, what would it take to create a culture of health and wellness at Lord of Life that honors and celebrates God’s gift to us of body, mind and spirit?
We may not all make it to age 100, but we can live richer and healthier lives on the journey. We can grow to be better stewards of the wonderful gift of life that God has given each of us. |
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