Inside the world’s “Blue Zones,” where people live longer lives

14.09.2023 - 19:45 / lonelyplanet.com

In these destinations, the focus of a new Netflix series, wellness isn’t a conscious goal, but an ancient way of life. 

As the modern wellness trend continues its march, more travelers are incorporating health-focused activities, from yoga retreats to vegan food tours, into their trips. Yet there are a handful of destinations around the world where wellness isn’t a conscious goal, but an ancient way of life, and whose inhabitants live remarkably long and happy lives.

They’re called Blue Zones. And they’re the subject of a popular new docuseries on Netflix, Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones, hosted by author, educator and National Geographic Fellow Dan Buettner.

Buettner has extensively studied the world’s Blue Zones – there are only five in the world – and drawn some simple if surprising conclusions about these far-flung areas.

“I have found that most of what people think leads to a long, healthy life is misguided or just plain wrong,” says Buettner in the series, dismissing the fitness obsessions and health crazes we’re all too familiar with. “The fact of the matter is that most of us are leaving good years on the table.” 

The answer varies, though residents in all five Blue Zones share several characteristics. Their community members tend to live an active lifestyle, surrounded by friends and family. In general, they are religiously observant, or adhere to a shared belief system. Their diet tends to be plant-based – with a glass of wine or two to unwind.

Yet each has unique characteristics that you need to experience in person (or at least via Netflix) to fully understand. Here is a short introduction to the world’s five Blue Zones.  

With an aging population and millions of people living alone, Japan is experiencing a loneliness epidemic, which is linked to higher rates of depression, dementia and heart disease. But on the island chain of Okinawa, tight-knit communities are bucking the trend – and living ever longer as a result. More people here reach the age of 100 than almost anywhere else on earth.

Some put it down to moai, traditional social groups formed in childhood and continued throughout adulthood through regular meet-ups. These networks provide lifelong friendship, as well as practical, spiritual and financial support. Centenarians also credit ikigai, or a sense of purpose, as a driver of longevity. They achieve such purpose is achieved by, for example, growing their own vegetables such as sweet potato, goya (bitter melon) and kabocha squash, all known for their health benefits. Diet-wise, the mantra “hara hachi bu”– eat until you’re 80% full – may also be a factor. 

You can learn about the art of endurance at a homestay in the rural Okinawan village of Ogimi, where you can witness the