3min
May 16, 2024
Did you know that 46% of today’s 65-year-olds can expect to live past 90? With exciting longevity breakthroughs on the horizon, we might live a lot longer than we expect. But will we be financially prepared for a long life?
At Savvly, we believe a long life should be celebrated, not feared. That's why we're building the first market-driven pension that can give you a reliable income stream in retirement. It's an innovative retirement solution that can help manage longevity risk, meaning it can help prevent you from running out of money in old age.
Because we embrace longevity here at Savvly, we'll dive into the secrets of the Blue Zones and explore how their insights can be applied to help improve our own lives.
What are Blue Zones?
In recent years, a concept has caught the eye of researchers and health enthusiasts alike: Blue Zones. These are regions in the world where people live significantly longer than average, often reaching 100 years old while maintaining active, healthy lifestyles. But what makes these areas so special, and what can we learn from them about longevity?
Blue Zones were identified by Dan Buettner and National Geographic as part of a global research project to uncover the secrets of longevity. These areas are characterized by a high number of centenarians (people who live to be 100 or older) and low rates of chronic diseases.
The five regions identified as Blue Zones are:
- Okinawa, Japan: Known for its large population of elderly, particularly elderly women, who enjoy remarkable longevity.
- Sardinia, Italy: Home to the world's highest concentration of male centenarians.
- Loma Linda, California: A community of Seventh-day Adventists with significantly higher life expectancies than the surrounding populations.
- Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica: Noted for its residents' strong work ethics and deep social networks.
- Ikaria, Greece: Famous for its relaxed pace of life and diet rich in legumes and vegetables.
Blue Zone lifestyle factors
The people living in these five Blue Zones share several lifestyle habits that contribute to their extraordinary longevity. So, what are these habits? They’re as simple as doing house chores by hand or by sipping a glass of wine on a regular basis. Dan Buettner groups these themes for us in the image below.
Source: Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones, Dan Buettner
Eat wisely
A common thread among Blue Zones is a diet primarily based on plant sources. Residents consume a significant amount of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes, with meat typically eaten in small amounts. In Okinawa, for instance, the traditional diet includes sweet potatoes, green vegetables, and soy products, with minimal processed food and sugar. In Italy and Greece, it's not uncommon for folks to drink a glass of wine every night. The key here is eating and drinking everything in moderation.
Move naturally
Rather than engaging in intense exercise routines, inhabitants of Blue Zones incorporate physical activity naturally into their daily lives. This includes doing chores by hand and opting for mechanical tools instead of using automatic tools. It also means walking, gardening, and yard work. This consistent, moderate physical activity is a cornerstone of their lifestyle.
Connect
Strong social connections are another key feature of life in Blue Zones. These people often have close-knit family ties, partnerships — both old and new, robust support networks, and frequent social gatherings. Such social structures of "the right tribe" provide emotional support and a sense of belonging, which are crucial for mental and physical health.
Outlook
People in Blue Zones have routines to unwind and shed stress, which is important as chronic stress can lead to a variety of health problems. Many also have strong faith and believe there is more to come in the afterlife. Finally, having a sense of purpose is common among the residents of Blue Zones. This "reason to live," often referred to in Okinawa as "Ikigai" and in Nicoya as "Plan de Vida," has been shown to contribute to longevity by providing a positive outlook and driving daily activity.
Takeaway lessons
The lifestyles of Blue Zones offer valuable lessons on how to enhance our health and increase our lifespan. Incorporating more plant-based foods into our diet, increasing our daily physical activity in enjoyable and sustainable ways, fostering stronger community ties, managing stress, and finding a personal sense of purpose can all help mimic the successful longevity seen in Blue Zones.
Whether you're looking to overhaul your lifestyle or make small adjustments, the lessons from Blue Zones can help guide you toward a longer and healthier life — and Savvly can help make sure you have the resources to make it through those years.
