Every April, Earth Day invites us to reflect on our relationship with the planet. But in the world’s longest-lived regions, known as the blue zones, this kind of reflection isn’t reserved for one day a year. It’s woven into daily life.

From the foods people eat to how they move and connect with others, lifestyle habits in the five blue zones naturally support the Earth without sacrificing anything. In fact, the same choices that extend our lifespans also happen to shrink our environmental footprint.

This Earth Day, we’re celebrating a simple, powerful truth: caring for our planet and caring for ourselves don’t have to be separate goals. In the blue zones, they’re one and the same.

🌿 Plant-Slant Plates: Better for You, Better for Earth

In every blue zone, meals are centered on whole food, plant-based ingredients—especially beans, greens, whole grains, tubers and nuts. Meat is eaten sparingly, often reserved for celebrations or special occasions.

This "plant-slant" way of eating is associated with lower rates of heart disease, cancer, and cognitive decline, yes…but it’s also one of the most powerful tools we have for combating climate change.

A global study published in Science found that shifting to a plant-based diet could reduce food-related greenhouse-gas emissions by up to 70% and food-related land use by 76%. Meanwhile, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine reports that adopting a vegan or plant-forward diet conserves water, reduces pollution, and cuts back on the deforestation driven by animal agriculture.

In short: the more plants on your plate, the more you’re nourishing your body and protecting the Earth from extra harm.

🌎 Volunteering: Giving Back to the Planet That Gives So Much

One of the most underrated ways to protect the Earth—not to mention boost your own health—is to volunteer on its behalf.

Modern research backs this up. Volunteering has been shown to reduce inflammation, lower stress, and improve mental well-being, especially when it involves time in nature. And when volunteers help clean up beaches, plant pollinator-friendly gardens, or care for public green spaces, they help build healthier ecosystems that support biodiversity, clean water, and even better air quality.

In the blue zones, purpose-driven living is a cultural norm. Elders continue to show up for their communities well into their 90s and make hands-on contributions to the land. Small acts of stewardship—like tending a communal garden, planting trees, or restoring a coastline—only reinforce their deep connection to the Earth.

Giving back isn’t just good for us. It’s how we take care of the only planet we’ve ever called home.

🍃 Nature: A Daily Dose of Wellness

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers found that spending time outdoors significantly boosted mental health and resilience. In fact, a review published in Frontiers in Psychology noted that even short periods of time spent in green spaces can measurably reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance immune function. Across all five blue zones, people spend time outdoors by default, without specifically trying to. In Nicoya, Costa Rica, daily walks through natural landscapes are routine. In Sardinia, Italy, shepherds trek the hilly terrain well into their 80s and 90s. 

Wherever you are in the world, it’s important to take a moment to downshift and enjoy the natural beauty all around you, whether it’s the mountains, beaches, forests, or even just a local park within your city limits. The old saying goes ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away’ - but a new saying can also but true: 'a stroll outdoors a day keeps the blues at bay'!

🌱 A Lifestyle That Leaves the Earth Better

If you’re still wondering how you can take step (or two, or 10,000, the recommended daily amount!) towards longevity for yourself and for the planet this Earth day, try to make any of these little changes with big impacts:

• Swap one meat-based meal this week for a plant-packed dish (and Blue Zones Kitchen can help you with that!)

• Lend a hand at a neighborhood cleanup, garden, or food co-op

• Take a walk in a nearby park instead of using a treadmill

• Buy food that’s in-season and locally grown

• Share a recipe you love with a friend and try cooking it together from scratch

Your personal longevity journey won’t matter if there isn’t a clean Earth left to enjoy it on, so this Earth Day, let’s celebrate, nurture, and protect our planet in every and any way that we can, big or small! Your health—and Earth’s health—are worth it!