Have you heard of the Blue Zones? Dan Buettner - a researcher, author and founder of the Blue Zones® - and two demographers discovered 5 places with the highest density of people who live the longest and healthiest (the so-called “Blue Zones”). These zones include:

Loma Linda, USA; Okinawa, Japan; Ikaria, Greece; Sardinia, Italy and the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica. Buettner discovered 9 common factors, The Power 9®, that explain the longevity found in these areas:

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1. Individuals in these areas move naturally - you won’t find them in a gym or competing in an ultramarathon, rather you’ll find them gardening or walking to pick up necessities.
2. These individuals have a reason to live; they feel a sense of purpose.
3. Individuals from each area have their own cultural stress-reduction ritual. Stress promotes disease and accelerated aging.
4. These long-lived communities eat less; they eat until they’re 80% full.
5. They eat mainly plant based.
6. Most of these communities have a social ritual around drinking 1-2 glasses of wine per day. This ritual is likely beneficial due to the social aspect, as opposed to the alcohol itself, which accelerates aging.
7. They all feel a sense of belonging, which is related to their faith.
8. They value their families above all else.
9. Their social circles and community roles support their longevity.

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For more read the details on the BlueZones blog.