No matter where you live or what genes you’re born with.
“This leaves the other 80% up to lifestyle and environment.
What Are the Blue Zones, And How Do They Compare to the Average American Lifestyle?
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Mental health counseling can be extremely beneficial, too,” Fruhbauer says.
Consider frozen, canned orfermented foodsif your fresh faves aren’t accessible.
“There are many meal delivery services that focus on healthy eating.
Limit Added Sugars
Eating less ultra-processed food will likely mean you’ll naturally consume fewer grams of added sugars.
Buettner confirms that people in the Blue Zones eat sugar intentionally, not by habit or accident.
For instance, in some households, meals often come with multiple courses of family recipes made with love.
“The world’s longest-lived people choseor were born intosocial circles that supported healthy behaviors,” Buettner says.
“Okinawans created ‘moais,’ or groups of five friends that committed to each other for life.
Research from the Framingham Studies shows that smoking, obesity, happiness and even loneliness are contagious too.
The social networks of long-lived people have favorably shaped their health behaviors.
Your local community center may offer fun classes you could attend.
In fact, a mere 2-minute walk after a mealcan help balance blood sugar.
Many of these involve some aspect of social community, which can amplify the benefits.
Fruhbauer suggests scheduling time for self-care, just like you might coordinate an oil change or haircut in advance.
Walking, meditation and breathing arescience-backed and free ways to reduce stressand also promote sounder sleep.
