The Blue Zones are gaining popularity once again. Coined by bestselling author and former National Geographic journalist Dan Buettner in 2004, the term describes regions around the world where people live the longest. Buettner’s hit Netflix show, Live to 100, explores the Blue Zones, including Ikaria, Greece; Sardinia, Italy; Loma Linda, California; Okinawa, Japan; and the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica, to showcase the secrets to longevity found in each location.
I had the incredible opportunity to spend time with Buettner during the opening weekend of Silvestre Nosara Hotel & Residences in Nosara, Costa Rica. Buettner has dubbed this surf town on the Nicoya Peninsula as the “gateway destination” to the nearby Blue Zone villages due to its accessibility and upscale accommodations that offer a chance to experience longevity living in style.
During the opening weekend, Buettner hosted various speeches and events to highlight his findings on longevity in the Costa Rica Blue Zone. One key takeaway from his research is the significant impact of the environment on longevity. Residents in the Nicoya Peninsula may not have superior genes, but they live in an environment that makes healthy choices easy and inevitable.
While environmental factors play a vital role in the area’s longevity, there are lessons from Costa Rica that can be applied to anyone’s life. Incorporating the “Three Sisters” – beans, squash, and corn – into your diet, as the Nicoyans do, can provide all essential amino acids for human sustenance. Additionally, incorporating natural movement into your daily routine, such as opting for stairs over elevators, can lead to improved health and longevity.
One unique aspect of the Nicoya Peninsula is the “plan de vida” mentality, where individuals have a clear sense of purpose in life. Grandfathers cooking meat soup for family gatherings exemplifies this philosophy of having a reason to wake up in the morning, a practice linked to increased longevity. Research supports the idea that individuals with a sense of purpose tend to live longer and have a lower risk of mortality.
By adopting these lessons from the Nicoya Blue Zone, such as incorporating the “Three Sisters” into your diet, prioritizing natural movement, and embracing a plan de vida mentality, you can enhance your health and potentially extend your lifespan. Buettner’s insights from Costa Rica offer valuable tips for living a longer, healthier life no matter where you are.
