At the turn of the century, National Geographic Explorer and Journalist Dan Buettner set out on a mission unlike any other. Buettner traveled to Japan to investigate the unusual longevity exhibited by the citizens of one of its remote islands. From there, the term “Blue Zones” was coined.
Since that 2000 investigation, Buettner and his team continued exploring the world over the next decade, searching for areas where people demonstrated similar longevity and determining why people lived longer in these specific areas.
What Buettner found is – to date – the closest anyone has come to discovering the fountain of youth – a Hollywood storyline of eternal life rooted in an intoxicating combination of healthy living, genetic quirks, and traditions passed on through generations.
Why Blue Zones are the ultimate retirement strategy
Confucius said,
It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.
Confucius’ quote not only resonates with retirement, but for Blue Zones as well – which is precisely why the two sync so perfectly in function and solution.
Each Blue Zone is unique and offers its own characteristics and traits for retirees to enjoy.
With that said, there are a few resounding elements that are undeniably shared amongst them, including:
- A communal social life
- Eating good
- Living slow
- Staying active
The epitome of the perfect retirement solution.
Blue Zones span the globe, but the fact that more of them lie in the European Union than any other region on Earth is as important to note as the fact that these locations contain humanity’s only known natural source of the fountain of youth.
From the jungles of Costa Rica to the luxury of the Greek Islands, planning to spend your retirement years in any of these four locations is an investment into life itself.
The History of Blue Zones
The etymology of the term Blue Zones may be strange to some, given that blue is often associated with sadness.
However, the nomenclature – Blue Zones – has a functional origin story. The term came about due to nothing more than the blue circles that Buettner drew on his map to identify areas that met his criteria.
Buettner didn’t discover this unusual longevity; it was already a unique concept deeply rooted in science.
Buettner and his colleagues set out to better understand the phenomenon and determine its global prevalence.
Starting with areas identified by previous studies as having a higher proportion of people living to 100, Buettner’s team began a worldwide search for places where men or women lived longer than anywhere else.
However, the most fascinating element about Blue Zones is not so much where they exist but why.
We can all guess why some people live longer than others, but that is not the dynamic at play in Blue Zones.
What is most fascinating about the areas that caught Buettner’s attention was the unique set of circumstances that enable entire communities of people to live much longer—but more importantly, infinitely happier lives.
Today, Buettner’s research has identified a total of five Blue Zones – however, Loma Linda USA is omitted here, as this article focuses on the four original Blue Zones where life expectancy is 100.
Loma Linda has been labeled a Blue Zone by Buettner’s team as residents tend to live 10 years longer than the average American – who has an average life expectancy of 77 years.
Sardinia, Italy
The very first Blue Zone to be identified has genetics, as well as culture, to thank for the excellent health of its citizens.
Sardinians carry the M26 genetic marker, which is exceedingly rare outside the island.
This genetic anomaly is clinically linked to an extended life expectancy, and Sardinia’s geographical isolation from the Italian mainland means that the marker has remained largely undiluted.
In addition to geographical isolation, Sardinia is one of only five regions in Italy that maintains a degree of autonomy. This also makes Sardinians culturally isolated, allowing them to maintain a traditional lifestyle.
Every afternoon, the streets are filled with laughter as the older generation gathers to enjoy a glass of wine, a cup of coffee, or even the traditional game of “Morra.”
It is very much like Spain’s siesta, but in Spain, the tradition has become just that in most places. In Sardinia, the tradition is still a part of daily life.
Community is key in Sardinia – everyone feels that they belong, and the resulting positive effect on individual well-being is unlike anywhere else in the world.
Nor can the connection Sardinians feel to the island itself, with its untouched natural beauty and numerous historical and spiritual sites and significance.
Many Sardinians continue the traditional tradecrafts, being shepherds and farmers deep into old age, while others follow in the centuries of tradition and fish the Mediterranean.
The benefits of the Mediterranean diet in terms of life expectancy have been well documented. But all the award-winning diet books don’t include the real secrets of the Sardinians.
One such secret is that they add goat’s milk and pecorino cheese to their daily diets – let’s just say they have been doing it for centuries.
Okinawa, Japan
Japan is a country of contrasts. Tourists can start the week by losing themselves in the sensory saturation of Shinjuku neon and finish the week enjoying the unique traditions of Japanese tea culture in Shizuoka.
The Land of the Rising Sun boasts one of the highest average life expectancies in the world, an impressive 84 years.
Japan also has the highest proportion of centenarians – nearly 10% of the overall population are aged 100 or more – and the only Blue Zone in Asia.
Amidst Japan’s already impressive aging dynamic, Okinawa stands out.
Not unique among the world’s Blue Zones, Okinawa’s primary contributing factor to its longevity is tradition.
Specifically, Japanese traditions that have existed for millennia and are the beautiful tapestry that the world calls Japanese culture.
Chief among these traditions is the notion that having a purpose in life is the key to a long and happy existence.
The concept of “Ikigai” literally means “a reason to live,” and it gives the young and the old direction, motivation, and the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your life has meaning.
Some people find their Ikigai through work, others through family ties, giving back to their communities, or finding fulfillment in hobbies and recreational activities.
Another reason Okinawans live longer is the support networks they create from childhood and maintain throughout their lives.
“Moai” is the traditional name for these social groups, a construct synonymous with friends meeting regularly to chat, share advice, enjoy each others’ company, and, most importantly, laugh.
For older Okinawans, Moai is a foundational reason they live longer than most—strong social connections make people happier and calmer, leading to healthy minds and bodies.
Physical well-being is a critical element of longevity.
Regular physical activity is central to the Japanese lifestyle – especially for Okinawans.
Walking is a daily activity and a morning part of Moai.
Groups of older people participate in low-impact, short-duration workouts—known as Radio Taiso—in the parks and green spaces of their communities.
Gardening is another element of Okinawa’s longevity. It provides numerous benefits, including physical exercise, exposure to sunlight, a sense of achievement, and a valuable source of healthy vegetables.
The predominantly plant-based diet of Okinawans has been found to contribute to their continued defiance of old age, as popular meals tend to be high in nutrients and antioxidants and low in fat.
Ikaria, Greece
Wherever you live in the world, being able to slow down and escape the rigors of modern life is as valuable as the rarest of diamonds.
On the Greek island of Ikaria, the population enjoys life in the slow lane, and their life expectancy is all the better for it.
However, don’t be fooled into thinking that slow living means a life at rest. Thanks to the rugged and hilly terrain, walks around the island with family and friends are a traditional workout.
Physical fitness and stamina are central to a long life, and on Ikaria, 80% of the older generation [between 65 and 100] maintain sexually active relationships.
Like their Okinawan counterparts, many Ikarians are keen gardeners. They grow root vegetables, fruit, and herbs to make delicious teas with antioxidant properties.
Another central Blue Zone element, nutrition, plays a key role.
Ikarians enjoy low-fat diets dominated by fruit and vegetables, nutrient-rich goat’s milk instead of cow’s milk, meat and fish eaten sparingly, and a mantra of “everything in moderation.”
Ikarians are among the happiest people in the world and forge social bonds that tie families and friends together for life, like the roots of the beautiful oak trees dotted around the island.
Grandparents are cherished for their wisdom and guidance, with many living in extended households containing three or four generations.
They provide invaluable help in raising children, which fosters a sense of purpose and belonging that contributes to their overall well-being.
One in three Ikarians lives into their 90s, dementia is exceedingly rare, and seemingly, many diseases associated with old age have been washed away on the tide of the deep blue Aegean Sea.
Nicoya, Costa Rica
When discussing Blue Zones, people often say, “There must be something in the water.”
In the case of Nicoya, Costa Rica – the only Latin American Blue Zone – this is actually true.
The region’s water supply is enriched with high calcium levels, which leads to stronger bones and fewer fractures among the older generation.
This is one contributing factor for why Nicoyans are at least twice as likely as Americans to reach age 90 – which is what caught the attention of Buettner’s Blue Zone team in 2004.
Those lucky enough to experience the exhilaration of riding a horse on the pristine white sands of Samara Beach fully comprehend why the locals have such a high level of life satisfaction and overall happiness.
Nicoyans regulate their caloric intake by eating a light dinner in the evening. Their diet is rich in whole grains, supplemented with fruit and vegetables – a formidable nutritional combination.
Furthermore, the specific blend of squash, corn, and beans—known as “the three sisters”—enjoyed by the locals is a tradition from the region’s Indigenous cultures and is saturated with health benefits.
Where Okinawans have Ikigai, Nicoyans live by the “plan de vida” mantra, which also means “reason to live.”
Elders exhibit a positive outlook and lead purpose-driven lives. Most live with their families and help out in the home.
Neighborly visits are frequent, and groups of friends are often found enjoying the stunning scenery of the Nicoya Peninsula and topping up their vitamin D levels.
Astons – HNW solutions for lifestyle security
For 35 years, global HNW entrepreneurs, investors, and families have relied upon and trusted the Astons team for solutions to significant life issues, and strategic retirement planning is one of them.
Where you want to retire is only a part of the equation, possessing the right and privilege to genuine become a part of your chosen location and culture is the other.
Granted, for some, retirement simply means not having to go to work any more.
But, for those whom retirement is an integral element of enjoying their life’s success story, they come to Astons.
Schedule your Free Confidential & Comprehensive Consultation with an Astons’ expert today.