Have you heard of Blue Zones? They're communities around the world dedicated to helping people live longer, healthier lives.
Did you know that, in 2005, for the first time in history, the average life expectancy for a baby born in the U.S. is shorter than before? Why?
Obesity! 66% of us are fat.
Yesterday at church we heard a young man speak about a new Blue Zone community here in Minnesota. In the established Blue Zone communities around the world people not only live longer but their end of life illnesses are shorter. (A year and a half as opposed to the three year average.)
Following are the nine common elements of the longest living communities in the world.
1. Walk every day.
2. Have a sense of purpose and meaning in your life. When we lose one we need to find another.
3. Have a quiet, peaceful time every day (downshift.)
4. Drink lots of water - and have one glass of wine daily.
5. Eat a plant based diet. Eat meat as a condiment.
6. Quit eating when you're 80% full.
7. Live and love intergenerationally. (Surround yourself with older and younger people.)
8. Attend community worship at least once weekly.
9. Hang out with people you admire - those who have a healthy lifestyle.
It doesn't seem like brain surgery, does it? In fact, it looks pretty easy.
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