“Genuinely happy people do not just sit around being content. They make things happen. They pursue new understandings, seek new achievements, and control their thoughts and feelings.” 
- Dan Buettner, Thrive: Finding Happiness the Blue Zones Way

This may be the greatest blue zones longevity tip of them all: pursue happiness. At Blue Zones Kitchen, we see the new year as a time to reset with a positive mindset and clear vision of our goals. The key to living a long, vibrant life is adopting healthy lifestyle habits that are achievable, ensuring we can commit to them all year long.  

Here are two of our favorite resolutions to help you ring in the New Year with vigor and a smile. 

Incorporate A New Downshift Medium Into Your Life 

Coming out of the busy holiday season, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed and struggle to find time for self-care. Unfortunately, stress is one of the archrivals of longevity – chronic stress has been known to contribute to inflammation and many other health challenges. By intentionally building time into our daily routine to unplug, take deep breaths, and participate in some sort of downshifting activity that calms us – meditation, yoga, prayer, time with friends or other – we allow our body and mind to destress. Finding time to downshift is a simple addition to your lifestyle that can strengthen your holistic health and add good years to your life! 

Eat More Whole, Plant Based Foods 

Dan Buettner, co-founder of Blue Zones Kitchen and host of Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones Netflix Docuseries, found that one of the keys to longevity is eating a diet rich in plant-based protein, whole grains, and healthy fats like nuts and extra virgin olive oil.  

At Blue Zones Kitchen, we are huge advocates of this longevity hack, and the proof is in the pudding (if pudding was made from whole grains, nuts, tubers, and vegetables!). Our chefs leverage the food secrets of the blue zones to craft meals that are delicious, because as Dan says, the number one ingredient for longevity is taste. People who live in the blue zones have found ways to make whole food plant-based food taste amazing, making it easy to eat well every day. Whether you try our ready-to-heat meals, cook blue zones recipes from scratch, or begin by swapping chips for a bowl of fruit, every step you take towards eating a plant-rich diet will take you one step further towards your longevity goals! 

Of course, there are so many other habits you can incorporate into your life, starting in 2025, that will help you live to 100. To find out more, visit: 

https://www.bluezones.com/2018/01/20-habits-healthier-happier-life/.