Aging well with the Blue Zone

Stacie Charbonneau Hess

In 2010, the National Geographic Society published a study about the world’s Blue Zones: communities in which citizens live longer, healthier lives than in the rest of the world.

Researcher Dan Buettner discovered that in communities such as Okinawa in Japan (longest living women) and Nicoya, Costa Rica (residents live to 90 years old at twice the rate of the U.S.), long, healthy lives were not accidental, but rather built-in to the lived environment. Buettner set out to discover the secret of these communities.

Not surprisingly, diet is a factor. He determined what we all already know: a plant-based diet is best. Rather than focusing on diet and physical fitness, what sets Blue Zone communities apart are the ways in which they value community, connection, and pleasurable stress-management activity, all interwoven into daily life instead of crammed into 60 minutes of a Pilates class or a Zoom therapy session.

In a second book (which has now developed into free materials available online), Buettner actually defined nine principles of healthy living that all Blue Zones share. He calls these the Power9®, and they are:

1. Making movement a natural part of your day

2. Knowing your sense of purpose

3. Prioritizing stress relief

4. Eating until you’re about 80% full

5. Eating a largely plantbased diet

6. Drinking alcohol in moderation

7. Connecting with your community

8. Putting family (whether biological or chosen) first

9. Choosing social circles that support healthy behaviors

These tenets are not intimidating – they seem entirely doable, and most of us probably aspire to live this way in our daily life. For people of retirement age, some principles of the Power9® are easy. For example, the first principle is easier when you don’t have a two-hour commute. What about knowing one’s purpose, or connecting with community? Without the structure of a job or career, numbers two and seven might be trickier. How does having a purpose and connecting with community contribute to a healthier, longer life? Perhaps that is too complicated a question to answer in this article, but it seems to me that the Blue Zoners share community and connection which increase joy and a sense of well-being no matter what age we are or where we live.

With the idea of community and connection in mind, I set out to find resources for active seniors – who have more time to devote to family, friends and charity – right here on the South Coast. What I found was astonishing!

Each town I looked at –Wareham, Marion, Mattapoisett, Fairhaven, New Bedford, Westport, Tiverton, and Dartmouth – advertised a Council on Aging or similar organization, replete with activities and educational offerings. Some websites were more updated than others, and some COAs appear more organized. Nearly every one of them had a print newsletter or online calendar. What struck me was that right here, in nearly every one of our South Coast towns, people were working to establish and enliven this very community and connection that the Blue Zone deems essential to healthy, long lives. Here is a quick sample of what I found:

The Mattapoisett COA had an impressive lecture coming up on September 6 called “Social Realism of the America’s 1930.” This presentation explores the power of art to express political discontent, and to speak up in the face of oppression. On September 29, the COA offers a “Foliage Turkey Train Tour” to New Hampshire with a train ride, turkey dinner, and transportation to the train. The calendar reveals ongoing art classes, games, and fitness opportunities, all in town.

Mattapoisett’s neighbor to the east, the Marion Council on Aging, publishes a calendar with ongoing activities such as a fall Watercolor Class, Tai Chi, Memory Café, Meditation, and even Mah Jong. Moving west, the Fairhaven Recreation Center is the spot to visit for walking groups, movie nights, legal help, and fitness classes.

Not surprisingly, because of the size of New Bedford, senior residents there have a wide array of choices! In addi tion to the typical offerings I found at all the other COAs, New Bedford is home to the “Senior Travel Program” which sounds like a lot of fun. On October 18, the program is going to see “Splish Splash – The Music of Bobby Darin” and on November 15, the “Dancing Dream Abba Tribute Band” live in concert. How fun would it be to share a stress-free, musical adventure with your friends and family?

The Dartmouth COA has a Facebook which wins the award for being the most cur rent. Among the offerings listed are osteo-exercise, painting, Zoomba, knittings, French classes, and pet therapy. Westport’s Council on Aging had a robust schedule that seemed to promote good times and physical activity.

The Tiverton Senior Center, like several listed here, hosts a book group in addition to rec reational opportunities and congregate meals. The mission statement reads that any one 50 or over is invited to join the Tiverton Senior Center’s events and activities. Fifty?! No time like the present to begin to create your community, I guess.

Connection and community are essential ingredients – just as important as vegetables and exercise – to a healthy, long life. The Blue Zone should inspire us all to try one new thing, meet one new friend, and just perhaps, make an unexpected, delightful connection.

Stacie Charbonneau Hess is a writer and our contributor. She lives in Mattapoisett with her family.