So what is a Blue Zone exactly? Blue Zones are regions of the world that are described as having people who live longer and more fulfilling lives, report CBC. Some of these regions are in Costa Rica, Japan, Italy, California, and Greece. Most of us live in places and in ways that require constant action and stress. Here are some ways you can take some cues from the Blue Zones to try to make your life a little easier.
Put good in
Reduce the number of toxins you expose your body to. This includes limiting alcohol and smoking. If you can eliminate smoking tobacco and cigarettes that's even better.
Take in healthy, nourishing food. I recommend vegetarianism or semi-vegetarianism. There is so much research to support the health benefits of a plant-based diet. Adding garlic and turmeric to your food is great for your heart and brain. Maybe take a vitamin-C or elderberry supplement like EmergenC to help boost your immune system.
Get some exercise
Try to get some moderate exercise whenever you can. Take the stairs. Maybe take a walk after work. Put on your favorite music and dance it out. Dancing will burn a few calories and will also put you in a great mood to begin or end your day.
Be social
It is incredibly important to have a good social circle. Spend as much time with your family and friends as possible.
It's actually good for your health. If they live far away, drop them a line once in a while. One thing you might consider doing is joining a club or doing an activity you enjoy, in your area. You can meet people with similar interests. Church or religious groups or activities are also great for this.
Relax!
Daily meditation is easily implementable and can be done at any time for however long you want.
There are several different techniques so you can find the one that works best for you. Breathing exercises are also great. Try this one: Breathe in for 4 counts, hold the breath for 5 counts, and release the breath for 6 counts. Power naps, about 15-20 minutes, are also great.
If you have a lot piling up on your plate, a calendar or a planner is a good place to start.
Don't over-schedule yourself. Make sure there is enough time to accomplish everything and still have time for yourself. Mark Twain once said to "Eat the frog first." This means get the hardest or largest or most time-consuming task out of the way first, preferably early in the morning. It's all about how you schedule your time. Take advantage of the spare minutes you have throughout the day to get things done, but don't forget to take breaks to relax and appreciate where you are.
Once you've done all that you can do in a day, congratulate yourself. Take a deep breath and soak it in. It's okay if you didn't accomplish everything you may have needed to. You can't let it bring you stress. You will find a way to get it done another time; and if you can't, it probably wasn't meant to be. At the end of the day make sure you are getting enough sleep. Setting a bedtime will really help with this.
