"Life is short. Don't run so fast you miss it." That is wisdom from Raffaella, a 107 year old Italian woman.
Did you catch that? Raffaella says life is short!
I just finished reading The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who've Lived the Longest by Dan Buettner. I have so many take-aways from the book, but that might be my favorite.
It doesn't matter who you are or how old you are, everyone muses, "If I had more time..."
You would what:
~ take more walks?
~ cook healthier?
~ spend more time with family and friends?
~ literally stop and smell the roses?
These ideas are some of the findings of the extensive but not scientific research in the book.
Wait! Before you stop reading this because you think it might be one more book shaming you and your "bad" habits - you are wrong. It is different than any diet, self-help book I have ever read.
I was immediately drawn in by the stories of the 100 year old people and their everyday life affirming behaviors. So much so, I immediately began adopting some of the Blue Zone lessons. They are about improving the quality of your life not only its length.
These nine lessons are shared by all the people interviewed from around the world who are still living a vibrant life close to and after their 100th birthday. The lessons sound so simple that maybe they are too good to be true...
1. Move naturally, be active
2. Eat until you are 80% full
3. Avoid meat and processed foods
4. Drink red wine (a glass a day in late afternoon)
5. Take time to see and be involved in the big picture
6. Take time to relieve stress
7. Participate in a spiritual community
8. Make family a priority
9. Be surrounded by those who share these same values
Too good? I think the key is that they are easy. There are no special skills, food, equipment or gurus to consult. When you read this book, you realize you can take small but significant steps to improve the quality of your life. Now. The health care experts consulted admitted that you only need to begin with any three of the lessons to begin seeing "results".
I encourage you to read the book so you can hear the stories of the people but also so you can take in the nuances of each lesson. I have made some changes in just a week. They are not stifling but life affirming. I have never imaged living to 100, let alone 107, but I do hope for a full and purpose-filled life. I think making some of these changes will help me on my way to do both!
~ Pam
Did you catch that? Raffaella says life is short!
I just finished reading The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who've Lived the Longest by Dan Buettner. I have so many take-aways from the book, but that might be my favorite.
It doesn't matter who you are or how old you are, everyone muses, "If I had more time..."
You would what:
~ take more walks?
~ cook healthier?
~ spend more time with family and friends?
~ literally stop and smell the roses?
These ideas are some of the findings of the extensive but not scientific research in the book.
Wait! Before you stop reading this because you think it might be one more book shaming you and your "bad" habits - you are wrong. It is different than any diet, self-help book I have ever read.
I was immediately drawn in by the stories of the 100 year old people and their everyday life affirming behaviors. So much so, I immediately began adopting some of the Blue Zone lessons. They are about improving the quality of your life not only its length.
These nine lessons are shared by all the people interviewed from around the world who are still living a vibrant life close to and after their 100th birthday. The lessons sound so simple that maybe they are too good to be true...
1. Move naturally, be active
2. Eat until you are 80% full
3. Avoid meat and processed foods
4. Drink red wine (a glass a day in late afternoon)
5. Take time to see and be involved in the big picture
6. Take time to relieve stress
7. Participate in a spiritual community
8. Make family a priority
9. Be surrounded by those who share these same values
Too good? I think the key is that they are easy. There are no special skills, food, equipment or gurus to consult. When you read this book, you realize you can take small but significant steps to improve the quality of your life. Now. The health care experts consulted admitted that you only need to begin with any three of the lessons to begin seeing "results".
I encourage you to read the book so you can hear the stories of the people but also so you can take in the nuances of each lesson. I have made some changes in just a week. They are not stifling but life affirming. I have never imaged living to 100, let alone 107, but I do hope for a full and purpose-filled life. I think making some of these changes will help me on my way to do both!
~ Pam
