Slopes “Make” - Isolation “Breaks”
Dan Beuttner and his research team used blue pens to mark longevity hot spots on the map - referred to as the “Blue Zones” which have statistically more number of super centenarians and lower rates of chronic diseases compared to global averages.
The original five blue zones scattered across different continents - from Japan to Asia and Europe to Americas - had long life expectancy with little commonality with food habits and culture - but geographically, the zones were characterised by mountainous, hilly terrain with significant slopes.
This brings us to a Blue Zone study that revealed two non-negotiable predictors of longevity: 1) the steeper 90 year old walked up and down the slopes - 5 blocks away to go to the church and 3 blocks away to the market and back home, lived longer - 2) Strong community bonds, shared purpose, and near-zero isolation.
They didn’t schedule social time - they were naturally surrounded by it.
Physical activities like walking, climbing, and hiking were integrated in their lives, rather than structured gym workouts.
We, on the other hand, are surrounded by technologies and communities that are isolating us - and isolation, research shows, can cut lifespan in half. That's why they say “My grandfather died and within a month my grandmother died too”.
Research shows that a life rich with physical activity and time spent with friends, family, children and grandchildren is the truest medicine for a longer lifespan.
Zareer Patell
#BlueZones #LongevityLifestyle #HealthyAging #MoveNaturally #CommunityHeals #ActiveLiving #LiveLongLiveWell
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