A sense of belonging supports individual well-being and is one of the behaviors connected to longevity in the original blue zones regions. But, it’s getting harder to be connected in many places, leaving people vulnerable to depression, anxiety, and other anti-social behaviors. Blue Zones Project provides opportunities and creates environments that increase positive connections among individuals. By fostering right tribe, encouraging behaviors that put loved ones first, and supporting a person’s reason to belong, we can help everyone feel like a part of something bigger.
The social networks of long-lived people have favorably shaped their health behaviors. Research from the Framingham Study shows that smoking, obesity, happiness, and even loneliness are contagious. Take a cue from the world’s longest-living women in Okinawa, Japan and their powerful social networks—“moais.” These lifelong circles of friends support each other well into older age, providing safety nets that lend financial or emotional support in times of need and give all of their members the stress-shedding security of knowing that there is always someone there for them. Assessing who you spend time with, then proactively connecting to those who support healthy behaviors will do more to add years to your life than just about anything else.
Centenarians in the original blue zones areas of the world put loved ones first, keeping aging parents and grandparents nearby or in the home. This practice can lower disease and mortality rates of everyone in the family, including children. They commit to a life partner, which can add up to three years of life expectancy, and invest in their children with time and love. People who live in healthy families with strong ties suffer lower rates of depression, suicide, and stress. For those of us who live at a distance from our relatives, your “chosen” family can positively impact your health and well-being too.
Research shows that faith and fellowship can serve as a power source for longevity. All but five of the 263 centenarians interviewed in the original blue zones studies belonged to some faith-based community, and denomination didn’t seem to matter. Seventh-day Adventists in the blue zones area of Loma Linda, California take a weekly break form the rigors of daily life—the 24-hour Sabbath—to focus on family, faith, camaraderie, and nature. They claim this practice relieves stress and strengthens social networks, something we all can benefit from.
