A Secret to Longevity: Put Loved Ones First
Our family celebrated Easter, Hawaiian style, across three generations. I always love these gatherings, and recently found more data on the physical benefits. Putting your loved ones first extends your lifespan. Discovered in unusually healthy global communities called Blue Zones, this mindset is credited with fostering longevity past 100 years of age. In the 5 places around the world where people consistently live over 100 years old, you will find centenarians 10 times more frequently than in the United States.
A National Geographic expedition was commissioned to uncover the secrets of “Blue Zones” where people often lived past a century. Lifestyle practices were credited with the vitality of these communities. The Danish Study on Twins established that lifestyle is a more important factor by a whopping 80% when compared to genetics (20%).
Putting your loved ones first, along with 8 other practices, creates the capacity for individuals to live healthy and sharp well into their early 90s. These “evidence-based common denominators” are believed to slow the aging process. One of the Blue Zone communities on the Greek island of Ikaria experiences 20% less cancer, half the rate of heart disease, and almost no dementia.
The fascinating part for me is how closely aligned these practices are with the FITBRAIN framework. Over and over again we are advised to take care of our bodies and minds to achieve better performance and joy now and sow seeds for a vital future. There are many documented reasons that the Power 9 principles create longevity. Putting loved ones first falls into the “Interact” category in the FITBRAIN framework.
What is good for the brain is also good for the heart.
Technically this refers to the physical heart, but it is impossible to separate out the impact of emotion (stress, joy, etc.) on heart and brain health. Healthy relationships with those we love are a vital source of positive emotion, which are established by making them a priority. Neglect is damaging. Next time you are distracted from being fully present due to all the demands pulling at your attention, remember what truly matters. It isn’t just their feelings that are impacted, so is your lifespan.
Heart and brain health clearly take shape with a strong sense of family in Blue Zones. In the South Pacific island of Okinawa, one centenarian felt she was “jumping into heaven” as she held her great great great grandchild.
Imagine the magic of looking into the eyes of your own great great great grandchild, or loved one. If following an easy to implement healthy brain lifestyle creates the opportunity to experience that fully, I can’t think of a single valid reason not to pursue that goal.
I personally can’t imagine a more beautiful way to see the future.
Can you?