The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who’ve Lived the Longest

NPR is interviewing Dan Buettner this morning.

Dan Buettner’s Tips To Enjoy a Long and Healthy Life

Move naturally
exercise

Downshift
yoga, prayer

Know your sense of purpose

Forget diets
veggie, moderation

How you connect
family, religion, who you hang out with

How I Plan To Reach 120 Years

Reduce Stress
I’ve made changes in who/how/why I work and live to put myself first.  I catchup with previous co-workers and can’t believe the BS we put up with crazy bosses, overtime, angry customers and kicking dead horses.  It’s also a drag to come home from work and step into another stress inducing situation.  Evaluate each relationship in your life and ask yourself: Is this relationship adding or subtracting from my life?

Have a Life Purpose
Dan talks about people waking up for more than just work.  Ever been around someone and felt as if they were radiating energy?  That person has a life purpose.  Everyday I focus on truly and deeply connecting with people.  I seek volunteer opportunities, pray and write down my goals so I know where I’m going.

Eat Less and Higher Quality Food
There is a study which tested if reducing calories was an effective method of increasing longevity.   This dietary schedule, known as calorie restriction, increased the lifespan of rodents by as much 50%.  I keep this in mind so I chew my food more and focus on taste, texture and quality.  Most food I eat now, I cook myself.  Most of my groceries are organic.  Now, I still scarf down pizza and BBQ ribs with soda pop but I no longer live on take out and frozen foods.

Common Things Seen Among Centurions

• Having a Sense of Purpose
• Eating Vegetables Daily, Meat Less Often
• Having Daughters

Challenges to Longevity

• Toxins
• Accidents