Fortunately, because these practices and elements are simple and well-known, they are simple to implement.
Daily exercise is easy to incorporate into your life by going for a walk in the park, gardening, playing with your children, and so on.
In terms of finding a purpose in life, there are numerous ways to earn a living today. There are numerous free and paid courses, classes, certifications, and other opportunities to learn more about and improve your skills in areas that are important and rewarding to you.
Downshifting and stress reduction are simple to implement through daily mindfulness and meditation sessions (even if they are only 10 minutes! ), sitting in nature, praying, and/or spending time with friends and family.
A plant-based diet is also relatively simple to follow. Anyone can make a positive change by eating more fruits and vegetables, beans, nuts, whole grains, and less processed foods. If fresh fruits and vegetables are out of your price range, you can substitute canned or frozen foods. Frozen vegetables and fruits can be more nutritious than fresh.
And, if possible, try to buy locally at your local farmer's market. This applies not only to fruits and vegetables, but also to meat, eggs, and poultry. The Blue Zones are very good at growing food in an environmentally friendly way, and there is a growing movement in the United States to do the same.
Concerning connection, there are many churches and faith-based organizations throughout the country, and there is almost certainly one near you. It has never been easier to find like-minded people to start a group with, whether you belong to a less common faith or religion or aren't religious but have spiritual leanings. Volunteering or joining an organization is another excellent option.
Prioritizing family and friends should also be simple. Take a step back from your hectic schedule and begin prioritizing spending quality time with the people you care about. Many people are preoccupied with work or other obligations, but making a conscious effort to spend time with them is all that is required. Spending time with family and friends should be simple because it produces pleasurable experiences.
Some steps may necessitate political, legal, and/or environmental changes in your community but there is always something you can do. Simply take a step in the right direction and continue to make healthier choices as you are able.
Thanks for the great info! I have recently started prioritizing my health. I will definitely be using some of these tips. I have been going back to church and changing my eating habits. I will take your advice on other actions as well!
Great well-researched article. I like the advice given for the modern reader. While it's hard to follow this lifestyle in today's society, the author gave some great advice on how we can all make small changes.
As someone who grew up in California, I'm so surprised to see Loma Linda, CA is a blue zone! Upon a deeper google deep dive, it looks as though they have a very dense population of Seventh Day Adventists who live there, and the lifestyle they follow lends itself to a long life. So interesting! I moved away from my family about 20 years ago, and can certainly attest to the difficulty of living so far away from my loved ones. It truly has taken a toll. All of these principles are so valuable on their own, but implementing them as a holistic path of life can significantly elevate your overall health and well-being.
Just book marked this article so I can revisit it again...the information is so valuable. And not only is it valuable, it feels realistic and applicable. The concepts seem simple, but not necessarily easy. I love the general rule of engaging in 3 minutes of body movement for every 30 minutes of sitting, and practicing meditation even if its only for 10 minutes. It sometimes baffles me how much we have access to in the US and how sometimes having an extensive amount of options ends up with a lot of unhealthy habits. Very worthwhile read.
Oh yes, the blue zones! My Mother and I were talking about this, and I remember watching a documentary a while ago with Maria Shriver when she went to Costa Rica. We even entertained the idea of moving to Loma Linda so we can live a long life! Having access to everything isn’t the healthiest, and variety isn’t the greatest. In the blue zones, they generally eat the same plant based/beans constantly. It’s only one blue zone in the United States. The US can learn a few things from other countries, especially with diet.
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