June 2022 - Parks & Recreation - 41

Blue Zones®
Power Nine®
According to Blue Zones research, there are nine facets of
our daily life that can lead to improved health and well-being:
Move Naturally - Physical fitness doesn't have to
mean running a marathon or hitting the gym. Many of the
world's healthiest people find ways to incorporate movement
naturally into their routine, such as walking to work or taking
up active hobbies, like gardening.
Find Your Purpose - Finding your purpose has
been proven to add seven years to life expectancy.
Lifestyle characteristics of the five original blue zones and the
ways in which they are carried out can serve as case studies for
ways to implement healthy practices within our communities.
to make sure that it's long term and not just something
that's temporary. "
Rebecca Thorpe, engagement lead for Blue Zones
Project - Walla Walla Valley, also emphasizes the
importance of working across all community sectors
to ensure sustainable change. " [Blue Zones
Project] encounters the whole community rather
than an individual, because it's hard for an individual
to make change when their surroundings don't
support it, " she says. " What we do is we try to create
a way in which the surroundings can support
healthier choices. "
Programs, Projects
and Practices
There are myriad projects, programs and practices
promoted by the Blue Zones Project, many of which
overlap with the services provided by park and recreation
agencies, such as physical fitness programs,
nutrition classes, creating green spaces and more.
One core practice that many Blue Zones communities
adopt is that of finding your purpose through
purpose workshops. " Being connected and feeling
like you are contributing and knowing your 'why,' or
knowing your purpose, [are] probably the most important
[aspects] of health and wellness, even above
exercise and diet, " says Thorpe.
Another related yet unique practice is that of developing
" moais, " or social support groups. According to
Thorpe, " moai " is a word from Okinawa, Japan, that
means people coming together for a like purpose. " In
their community, children were put together at a very
Down Shift - While stress can't always be avoided,
it is important to find routines that help to alleviate stress,
such as meditation, naps or dedicated time with family and
friends.
Follow the 80 Percent Rule - Stop eating once
you feel 80 percent full, or until you feel " not hungry " rather
than " full. "
Practice Plant Slant - In each of the longest-lived
communities across the globe, people tend to eat meat only
five times per month on average. Additionally, beans are a
crucial component of their diet.
Drink Wine at Five - Drinking alcohol moderately
and regularly (one to two glasses per day) - or while out
to dinner with friends - can help to improve health and
well-being.
Find Belonging - Many of the healthiest people
across the world find belonging in a faith-based community,
regardless of denomination.
Put Loved Ones First - Keeping aging parents
close to home and investing time and love into children and
family is a cornerstone of some of the happiest and healthiest
people.
Find the Right Tribe - Research shows that both
healthy and unhealthy behaviors are contagious, so having
a social circle that promotes healthy behaviors is crucial to
leading a healthy lifestyle.
To learn more, visit tinyurl.com/nhe74mk3.
PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G | JUNE 2 0 22 | Parks & Recreation
41
PHOTO COURTESY OF BLUE ZONES PROJECT -
WALLA WALLA VALLEY
http://www.tinyurl.com/nhe74mk3
June 2022 - Parks & Recreation

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