Blue Zone Lifestyle a Key to Wellbeing
It is no secret that the path to an optimal state of mind, body, and spirit, is a healthy lifestyle. It opens the door to a more fulfilling life.
The key for this door might just be adopting a Blue Zone Lifestyle. But what is it?
Blue Zoning Explained
Where do the healthiest and longest-living people reside? In the so-called Blue Zones. Their environment, lifestyles and diets are all optimised to give them the highest life expectancies in the world.
Forget restrictive and traditional diets. Blue Zones advocate physical activity and healthy eating.
People in Blue Zones have lower levels of chronic disease, obesity, and BMIs and their environment, lifestyles and diets are all optimised to give them the highest life expectancies in the world.
The five original Blue Zones are:
- Okinawa (Japan)
- Ikaria (Greece)
- Sardinia (Italy)
- Nicoya (Costa Rica)
- Loma Linda (California)
The Mediterranean diet is well-established as one of the healthiest in the world. It’s rich in fish, vegetables, nuts, and healthy fats like olive oil. The Blue Zone eating method as a whole is very similar to the traditional Mediterranean diet.
Embracing Blue Zone Lifestyle
Blue Zone cultures pride themselves on understanding the benefits of a positive attitude. A Blue Zone blog said that people who practice the blue zone lifestyle are happier.
Feelings of happiness keep feelings of stress in check and even your skin will thank you for it with fewer visible signs of ageing.
Dairy Face and Sugar Face
Dairy products might be packed full of vital vitamins and minerals, however, they can be problematic. It’s well-established that milk and similar products can cause acne. And in a phenomenon aptly named ‘dairy face’, animal products can also cause:
- Swollen eyelids
- Under-eye bags
- Dark circles
- White bumps on the face
Fortunately, there are many dairy-free alternatives. From coconut to oat milk. But if you don’t want to give up dairy, goat’s milk is a good substitute for cow’s milk, as it’s easier to digest. Goat’s milk is a staple in the Sardinia and Icaria Blue Zones.
Sugar is another culprit of undesirable, long-lasting effects on your skin and body. Sugary treats can give you ‘sugar face’. Sugar breaks down collagen, the protein that keeps your visage looking youthful.
If you want to snack like a blue-zoner, opt for healthy nuts.
Book a Winter Sun Break
Is it a coincidence that all five Blue Zones are in warmer climates? Research shows that 29% of people in the UK are deficient in vitamin D between January and March. This essential vitamin helps the body absorb calcium. When deficient, people can experience low energy levels, depression, headaches and joint pain. If you’re an active, healthy young woman, the last thing you need is joint pain.
Going on a holiday to a sunnier destination in January is a great way to reap the benefits of those sun rays. It’s also the cheapest month to jet off to your desired destination. Imagine how great you’ll look in your designer bikini after following the Blue Zone diet!
Beat the winter blues by immersing yourself in the Blue Zone lifestyle and your skin, mind, body, and spirit will surely thank you for it.
