“Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned or won. It is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude”. – Denis Waitley My husband Andy and I at our favorite "Blue Zone" beach on the Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica: Playa Carrillo Blue Zones: where people live the longest. “Blue Zones” is a concept used to identify a demographic and/or geographic area of the world where people live measurably longer lives, only occurring in a handful of places on Earth. This concept is the result of research by Gianni Pes and Michel Poulain, as they identified 5 areas with the highest longevity they called “Blue Zones”. These places have a high concentration of people over age 100, and there is a substantial disability-free and disease-free life. People live significantly longer happier lives, in these places, than anywhere else in the world. There are five identified "Blue Zones", scattered across the planet. THE FIVE BLUE ZONES: - The Italian island of Sardinia - Ikaria (an isolated Greek island) - Okinawa, Japan - Loma Linda, California - The Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica Playa Conchal - located in the Blue Zone of the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica. The sand is made up of millions of crushed conch shells. My husband Andy and I lived in the Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica for over 6 months, and this unique section of Costa Rica truly does contain some of the happiest people on the planet. People living in this area of Costa Rica are more than twice as likely, as other Americans, to reach age 90. If you've ever spent any time in Costa Rica, the land of rich coasts and pura vida, then you can understand why this special place is known for being one of the happiest countries in the world. Even the animals of Costa Rica display a strong sense of inner peace and can be seen smiling through their endless beach days. A mother and baby sloth, living the pura vida life and smiling for our camera, in Cahuita, Costa Rica. Brimming with vibrant colors, pristine beaches, exotic birds, friendly animals, lovely people, flavorful food, and hammocks on every corner, it doesn't take long for the laid-back, slow-paced Costa Rican beach vibe to seep into your soul. Luckily you don’t have to move to a Blue Zone to live longer. Studies have shown that the people who inhabit these famous Blue Zones seem to share 9 significant life characteristics. If you implement these habits into your daily life, you can create your own "longevity hotspot" wherever you are. HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN BLUE ZONE: 1) A REASON TO LIVE - plan de viva – have a life purpose. 2) HAVE FAITH – engagement in spirituality or religion is important. 3) FOCUS ON FAMILY & FRIENDS – before other concerns or focuses. 4) WORK HARD – make a strong work ethic and physical activity a regular part of life. 5) DRINK LOTS OF WATER AND EAT YOUR VEGGIES – a majority of food consumed in Blue Zone’s is from plant-based materials, including many nutritious, rich, colorful fruits and numerous fresh vegetables, and always stay hydrated. 6) STRESS REDUCTION - an established healthy support system to reduce stress in your life is crucial. (Even if this simply means purchasing a hammock and scheduling daily "hammock time"). 7) GET LOTS OF SLEEP – the inhabitants of Blue Zones are known for rising and falling with the sun, and for getting at least 8 hours of sleep each night. Go to bed early and try to get good quality sleep. 8) GET SOME SUN – a healthy, daily dose of sun is mother nature’s anti-depressant. 9) DON’T SMOKE CIGARETTES – smoking is not common in Blue Zone communities. A spectacular Blue Zone sunset at Playa Carrillo, Costa Rica. And, it would be safe to assume, these Blue Zone people don’t forget to stop in their own pursuit of happiness, to just be happy. They realize that being happy or miserable is a choice. The amount of work is the same. So why not choose happiness? If you want to be happy, then be. Play your Blue Zone defense, in order to tackle life’s hardships. Change the way you see your world and create your own happy place wherever you go. Choose to live the Blue Zone life every day. If you still struggle with this concept, try taking some life advice from a baby sloth: slow down, unplug, smile, take lots of naps, and make sure to spend a little time every day doing absolutely nothing. Pura Vida!
46 Comments
7/24/2016 06:41:29 am
Great post!
Reply
Kari
7/24/2016 06:47:31 am
Thanks! Costa Rica is such a special place, you can feel the happiness ooze into your veins. Thanks for reading! :)
Reply
7/24/2016 11:08:25 am
Awesome post. Blue Zone concept was something new for us. We understand that nature and living in harmony with the nature is the best medicine for a happy life. And definitely to be happy is our choice and not defined by any parameters :)
Reply
Kari
7/24/2016 11:31:42 am
well-said!! So very true :)
Reply
7/24/2016 11:25:43 am
I am constantly telling people to think positively but some people just don't get it. Maybe now they will!
Reply
Kari
7/24/2016 11:32:08 am
Some people just aren't ready to learn that lesson yet :)
Reply
Kari
7/24/2016 01:35:08 pm
Making a happy place at home, wherever you are, is always a good idea :)
Reply
7/25/2016 07:00:34 am
I'm thinking of traveling to Sardinia soon. Hopefully traveling there will shed light on the locals' recipe for longevity!
Reply
Kari
7/25/2016 10:23:14 am
That is amazing, I would love to hear about it! Happy Travels! :)
Reply
Kari
7/25/2016 10:24:02 am
It is incredible how quickly the feeling of sunshine on your face rejuvenates you :)
Reply
Kari
7/25/2016 10:24:26 am
Thanks, sloths are my favorite animal!
Reply
7/25/2016 08:29:37 am
Lucky you! I hope your journey in Costa Rica is an amazing one! I haven't ever come across the term Blue Zones, but my bags are packed and ready to see each 5 of them!
Reply
Kari
7/25/2016 10:25:20 am
I hope you get to see them all! That would be one epic adventure: a trip to see all five Blue Zones of the world...I may have to add that to my bucket list.
Reply
7/27/2016 12:31:00 am
I love this! While I didn't get to visit Sardinia, I totally understand why it's listed. The South of Italy is absolutely stunning and I would honeymoon there if I could. Kudos to you for creating actionable steps for creating your own blue zone.
Reply
Kari
7/27/2016 07:53:03 am
Thanks so much! I would love to see Sardinia someday!
Reply
Kari
7/28/2016 10:09:02 am
Everyone should! :)
Reply
How interesting! I had never heard of these blue areas but I can understand how people can definitely be happier thus live longer in certain areas. Three years ago my family and I moved from Minnesota to California. The sunshine alone has made a huge difference in my own happiness.
Reply
Kari
7/28/2016 10:09:57 am
I agree - a daily does of sunshine keeps the doctor away! :)
Reply
Kari
7/28/2016 03:50:06 pm
Costa Rica is so easy to fall in love with! I will always cherish these moments :)
Reply
Kari
7/29/2016 02:48:08 pm
Costa Rica would welcome you back with open arms!
Reply
Kari
7/29/2016 02:48:33 pm
You will not be disappointed!!
Reply
Kari
7/30/2016 06:55:31 am
I agree, when traveling to a new place I like to get out and go on adventures...but as I've aged I have learned to plan at least a day or two of doing absolutely nothing except swinging the day away in a hammock, and those end up being my favorite days :)
Reply
Kari
7/30/2016 06:56:11 am
Awesome, Loma Linda is on my bucket list!!
Reply
7/30/2016 02:07:55 am
Great article! I've been to some of those blue zones and I think living there can make you incredibly lazy. I can't even imagine people working hard there but they definately foster creativity.
Reply
Kari
7/30/2016 06:57:42 am
I wouldn't use the word lazy...people in Costa Rica just know how to relax and don't feel guilty about it, knowing they have earned it. But they are also incredibly hard workers. Life is all about balance :)
Reply
Kari
7/31/2016 11:13:21 am
Thank you!!
Reply
Kari
7/31/2016 11:13:58 am
Sloths are my favorite animals in Costa Rica, seeing one in person is indescribable. :)
Reply
7/31/2016 08:20:46 pm
Indeed an intriguing concept of blue zone but once we embrace it, it feels so liberating and yes, meaningful. Time spent with family in those places is just heavenly.
Reply
Kari
8/2/2016 07:50:58 am
So true :)
Reply
lex
8/2/2016 03:48:20 am
Adorable images, never heard the word or stuff about blue zone, seems fun and warm so I gotta try mine too.
Reply
Kari
8/2/2016 07:52:01 am
Good luck and happy travels :)
Reply
8/4/2016 04:58:48 am
Travelling to a new places for the seek to get through adventures that will teach new things
Reply
Kari
8/7/2016 07:12:08 pm
I love it!
Reply
10/19/2016 08:04:16 pm
Great research, writing and pictures! I found your blog on costaricatravelblog.
Reply
Kari
1/29/2017 10:55:10 am
Gracias Kristina!
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Kari Pinkerton SilcoxIt would be a tragedy to die, having never really lived. Which is why my husband Andy and I quit our jobs, sold our house and decided to chase our dreams. We moved to Costa Rica without a plan, and this is the story of our adventure. POPULAR POSTS:
Archives
February 2017
|