Movement is Life: The Fountain of Youth from the Blue Zones and Mediterranean Lifestyle

If you’re looking to add more healthy years to your life and life to your years, it’s time to take a cue from the world’s Blue Zones and the Mediterranean lifestyle. I highly recommend watching the Netflix series “Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones” by Dan Buettner. Although our culture differs from theirs, we can still learn valuable lessons from their way of living.

One significant difference is movement. In Blue Zones, people incorporate movement into their daily lives naturally. They walk to the markets, to church, to the stores, and they spend time gardening. Meanwhile, we tend to sit in our cars, at our desks, and on our couches. This sedentary lifestyle contributes to the high obesity rates we see today.

The takeaway from this series is simple: Move more and eat well. My company, Kona Girl Wellness, is all about this. This is what I promote and live by. You don’t have to match what I do as far as running is concerned. I happen to LOVE running as it is also my therapy. I do suggest moving though. Find something that YOU love.

Now, let’s talk about that pesky 10,000 steps that we hear about far too often. Yes, we often hear about walking 10,000 steps a day, and it might seem repetitive, but there’s a reason for it. It is extremely important to get those 10,000 steps in since, as a society, the average action is no action at all. We are not moving as we should be due to the world we live in. You can see it in the children as well. We have an obesity pandemic on our hands, and it is serious. The first step is to move.

I always promote the 80/20 rule—aim to do your best 80% of the time. Focus on eating unprocessed foods, incorporating vegetables, nuts, grains, seeds, beans, lean meats, and fish into your diet. You don’t have to match their lifestyle exactly, but you can take small steps to improve your health.

Movement is essential for good health. It’s not just about living longer; it’s about living healthier, with less dependence on medications and nursing homes. The real fountain of youth doesn’t come in a pill; it comes from a lifestyle that prioritizes movement and wholesome food.

Remember, movement is life. So, get moving and do the best you can with your food choices. Your body will thank you for it!