Credit: TED
What To Copy To Achieve That Centennial Life
Move over diets, exercise and special treatments. The way to longevity is living an optimal lifestyle.
National Geographic writer Dan Buettner teamed up with researchers to locate and learn from the world’s four Blue Zones — areas where people are living the longest — including Loma Linda, California; Okinawa, Japan; and Costa Rica.
Buettner said a common myth about living longer includes the idea that if you try really hard you can live to be 100. Truth is only one out of 5000 people lives to be 100. A person not only needs a healthy lifestyle, but to also hit the genetic lottery. We are programmed for procreative success, not longevity.
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Currently, the human body capacity is about 90 years for women and a little less for men, but life expectancy is only at 78. The good news here is that there are “12 good years on the table” most people can add to their lives according to Buettner.
The best way to get these extra years is to mimic what other cultures are doing to achieve that extended life.
First off, these cultures eat wisely. They all share a plant based diet, eat small portions (eating until 20 percent full) and drink just a little wine daily.
They all stay connected with loved ones and belong to a tribe. Much of the difference is how they organize their society and treat older people — the longer you live the more worth you have. Isolation kills so to increase longevity you need to find good friends that share your beliefs, purpose and healthy lifestyle.
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In one community, they share their entire lives with a group of friends. They hang out with people they trust. Others don’t divide life into work years and retirement years. Instead, they all have a personalized sense of purpose and reason for getting up in the morning.
They don’t plan exercise but instead stay active throughout their day through walking or tending a garden.
Check out Buettner’s entire Ted Talk above.
