In the New York Times bestselling book, Blue Zones, author Dan Buettner shares key longevity secrets from the world’s longest living cultures. Over a decade later, the National Geographic funded expedition is still cited as one of the greatest achievements in the study of longevity.
What are the Blue Zones secrets to a longer life?
Blue Zones authors dubbed these dimensions the Power Nine®– the secrets that the world’s healthiest cultures have in common. Below is a breakdown of the dimensions, along with our Editors’ opinions of how well Sarasota scores in each.
Move naturally.
The longest living people on Earth almost never step foot inside a gym. Instead, they move naturally throughout the day, performing tasks like hiking, gardening, or farming.
Sarasota’s score: 7/10. True, Sarasotians love walking the beach, cycling, and hitting fitness boutiques. But “natural movement” is a little limited, especially compared to agrarian regions like Sardinia and Loma Linda, California.
Live with purpose.
Essentially, living with purpose comes down to this: Why do you wake up in the morning? Having a clear answer to that question can add 7 years to your life, according to the authors’ research.
Sarasota’s score: 9/10. Sarasota has a median age of 56, which means many residents are closing in on retirement. That, combined with family and a strong religious/spirituality scene, makes it likely that most residents find purpose in their day-to-day routine.
Practice stress management.
Stress and inflammation are associated with nearly every age-related disease. By proactively practicing stress management, you can add both quantity and quality to your life.
Sarasota’s score: 9/10. We give Sarasota a big win here. From Farmer’s Markets to art shows and water recreation, nearly everyone can find healthy things to do that will help them decompress.
Eat to 80% full.
This is a key skill that is the cornerstone of our Sarasota nutrition coaches’ programs. Eating to 80% means that you eat until you are satiated, not “full”. That simple trick can mean the difference between losing weight and gaining weight, which can significantly impact your quality of life as you age.
Sarasota’s score: 7/10. Sarasota is a diverse city, and this is a particularly difficult dimension to score. Our editors went conservative here, lowering Sarasota’s score to account for restaurants that serve big plates to woo the city’s seasonal guests.
Eat lots of plants.
Americans are often surprised to learn that most of the world is almost entirely vegetarian. Instead, most cultures rely on beans, soy, and lentils for protein—and they seem to live longer because of it.
Sarasota’s score: 8/10. Sarasota has a lot of great vegan and vegetarian restaurants. Just ask our friends over at The Electric Soul. Sarasota’s vegan restaurants are highlighted, and rightfully so. The city has a lot to offer when it comes to plant-based meals, including fresh Farmer’s Markets and inventive plant-based cafes.
Enjoy some wine.
The longest living people in the world tend to have 1-2 glasses of wine a day, usually with friends. The company you keep is critical, as this kind of social bonding also reduces stress and builds supportive social networks.
Sarasota’s score: 9/10. There is no shortage of places to relax and enjoy some vino with friends here in Sarasota. And if drinking isn’t your thing, the social scene is still a pleasure.
Belong.
Taking part in a faith-based community is essential to longevity. The particular denomination doesn’t seem to matter. Rather, the most important thing is that people feel a sense of purpose, community, and belonging.
Sarasota’s score: 10/10. Sarasota has a diverse range of faith-based communities that include both denominational and non-denominational churches, as well as spirituality centers, meditation groups, and much more.
Put family first.
The world’s longest living people are truly family-oriented. They choose a life partner early, raise children closely, and care for their parents long into their twilight years. This kind of inter-generational living creates a support system that extends throughout the aging cycle, helping people to live longer and fuller lives.
Sarasota’s score: 9/10. The Tampa-St. Petersburg area is always rated among the best places in Florida to raise a family. Our Editors (humbly) believe Sarasota is better.
Find a healthy tribe.
We’ve all heard the expression, you are what you eat. Turns out, you’re also who you spend time with. Habits are contagious, so it’s no surprise that the world’s longest living people have strong social networks with healthy friends who know how to live well, de-stress, and laugh.
Sarasota’s score: 8/10. Healthy tribes are everywhere in Sarasota. And while the diversity of the city makes this dimension difficult to score, our Editors believe that the city’s overall health-centric culture has a positive influence on friendship circles.
What do you think?
How would you score Sarasota in these Blue Zone dimensions? Leave your scores in the Comments section below!