My husband and I recently watched Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones on Netflix. It is a 4-part documentary where author Dan Buettner travels around the world to five unique communities where people are living extraordinarily long and vibrant lives… many past the age of 100.
Dan was on a quest to find out what these communities were doing differently that enabled them to not just live so long, but to live so long feeling great and, for many of them, free of disease.
I was amazed to see women and men, well into their 90s, tending to their gardens, going on walks around their communities, and dancing with family at special events. My husband, who is now 48, said, "They are twice my age and I don’t know if I could keep up with these people!" LOL!
So what is their secret? Do these people and communities know something about health that we don’t?
Well, yes and no.
You can probably already guess some of the health principles that have kept these people feeling vibrant…
They cook food from scratch, and the majority of their diet is composed of unprocessed natural foods, much of it grown themselves.
They stay active by tending to their homes and gardens and walking around their neighborhood and villages. In some of the communities, group exercise activities were very popular like water aerobics, pickleball, and tennis.
But what were some of the findings that surprised me a bit?
The one in particular that I don’t think we focus enough on when we talk about health is…
Community.
Every blue zone group that was featured was part of a loving, supportive, and thriving community of people.
After watching this, I realized that this piece needs to be a greater focus for us when we’re thinking about our long term health. It’s almost like we know it could be a good thing, but we don’t see it as something that could be transformative to our health goals, so we don’t make it a priority.
I've seen this powerful principle firsthand inside our New Life Promise Facebook family group. It’s amazing the level of connection many of our members have formed even just online… many members saying it was one of the main reasons they saw success on the program.
As much as an online community is wonderful and can be an integral part of a successful health plan, I do think adding an in-person community can also be a great addition to your journey.
I can say, for me, having a support system in my community through my church and my homeschool group has given me that sense of community I was missing for many years of my life.
Here are a few ways you can establish great connections via community in your life…
Get Involved in a Local Church
This one may seem obvious, but the more I speak to our members, the more I realize that there are so many who have not found a church where they are really connected. Sure, going on Sunday is a great start, but once you find a place you feel is a good fit for you and your family, find at least one activity that you can become involved in.
I know this seems like it would be a bit easier for those who are young with children, but there are so many wonderful opportunities for those who are older and wiser and can share their knowledge and experience with the younger generation.
For me, I absolutely love being involved in the women’s ministry. It has helped me form such deep connections with so many women at our church, many of whom I may never have had the opportunity to really spend time with if not for our women’s events.
Find Your Local YMCA
If you’ve never looked into the programs at your local YMCA, you may be missing out. From movie nights to game nights, group exercise classes to parents’ night out, the list goes on and on. I love that there are options for all ages.
I wish my family had more available time, I might sign us up for everything… hahaha. The best options, I think, are the exercise classes where you can focus on your health and make great friends in class. If some of these classes seem too rigorous for you, try one of the aquatics classes. People always think pool classes are just for old people, but some of the best workouts I’ve gotten have been in a pool class, and I love that it gives my joints a bit of a break from a high intensity workout.
Learn a New Skill
I've just recently gotten into sourdough bread making. I have had a few failed attempts so far, but I know I just need to keep trying to get it right.
I just found a sourdough bread making class in my area and I’m excited to sign up. Not only will I get the benefit of learning how to make bread, I have a feeling my fellow classmates will be like minded health people like me. And even if they’re not, anyone who signs up for a sourdough bread class is probably someone I can be friends with… LOL.
Do you have a particular hobby or an activity you want to learn more about? There just may be a class or group nearby that you can join with like-minded individuals.
Community is so important and is a vital part of any health journey. If you’re currently not an active part of our New Life Promise Family community on Facebook, I highly encourage you to join us today.
If you’re not a part of an in-person community, I also encourage you to find at least one in-person group activity, whether that be via your church or local area activities. And if you find something great, we would love to hear about it. It may be just the inspiration someone else needs.