As fiction writer I learn things about the real world during my research journey. One book’s research led me to steps for healthy living, secrets to create a healthy lifestyle, and a knowledge of blue zones.
My journey begins when I enrolled in a healthy eating class at church, the instructor William Zahler, author of Synergy and the Dynamics of Lifestyle Change (https://www.lifestyle-interventions.com), introduced me to regions of the world called blue zones. Blue zones are places where individuals continue to be productive and active well into their 90s and 100s.
Since I am in the senior citizen category the concept of blue zones intrigued me. So, while plotting Spring Betrayal in my Seasons of Mystery series (https://sallyjopitts.com/mysterybooks), I asked the question:
What if my private investigator characters became entangled in a mystery on a Caribbean Island whose inhabitants modeled the blue zone characteristics?
The idea blossomed into a criminal organization trying to overthrow a monarchy on the fictional island of Costa Flores. The island paradise was known for its flower festival and people there lived much longer than average while maintaining good health.
As I did my research, I discovered steps for healthy living and blue zone practices. These included:
- Exercise through natural movements
- Living for a purpose
- Practicing a weekly day of rest
- Calorie restriction and eating slowly
- Plant-based diet
- Drink plenty of water
- Wine, in moderation (1-2 glasses/day)
- Faith
- Honoring family
- Growing old together with friends
MAKE IT REAL
My Challenge:
The common factors associated with blue zones fascinated me. As a senior citizen, I asked how can I implement these common factors in my life? Many of these traits I have practiced in varying degrees during my lifetime, which led to another question:
What if I selected five items on the blue zone list to focus on and put them into action?
How I Put Five Blue Zone Elements into Practice:
The 5 elements I chose were:
- Natural movements
- Drink plenty of water
- Living for a purpose
- Practice faith
- Growing old together with friends.
- Natural Movements
Blue zone people don’t go to gyms and have workout routines. Exercise comes through natural movement during the course of their day.
As a writer, I sit long hours in front of the computer. My natural movements were moving the tips of my fingers! What else could I incorporate naturally into my day for a healthier lifestyle?
My dog always went outside in the fenced yard to run around and take care of business. I decided to walk him which meant I was also walking. We go on at least a half-mile walk daily now. If I forget he reminds me.
- Drink plenty of water
In an interview of a centenarian, he shared one of his secrets for a long healthy life. First thing in the morning while dressing for the day, he drinks two glasses of water.
I used to keep a 16 oz bottle of water with me and drink from it throughout the day, refilling it often, but I had no idea of the total number of ounces I was drinking and if it was adequate. For my weight I should take in 87 ounces of water a day (weight X 67%).
I enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning, but I adopted the centenarian’s habit. I drink 16 ounces of water before my coffee.
To help track if I was getting the proper amount of water per day, I purchased a set of 6 glass 18oz glass bottles with sleeves of different colors. Each day I prepare a 5 bottle lineup. If I have errands to run, a bottle goes with me. When I reach the end of the line, I’ve met my quota for the day. (Sometimes I add greens powder to bottle 3 and/or a vitamin mineral powder supplement to the 4th bottle.)
- Living with a Purpose
Blue zone people don’t have a retirement age. They see their purpose in life as their work. They enjoy their work and do it their whole lives. They do not think in terms of plodding through several decades of boring work in order to one day have a “happy” retired life.
When I read this blue zone concept, I had already retired from many years as a teacher, guidance counselor, and private investigator. I enjoyed that work for the most part, but I did retire from those activities.
I have always viewed writing as a latent purpose, so I decided to learn the craft, which is an ever-evolving challenge, and at present writing is something I can do indefinitely.
- Practice Faith
Centenarians usually belong to some kind of faith group.
Christian involvement has been a part of my life since I was a child, but I decided to be more intentional in practicing faith.
Our church offered a discipleship class which put me into the scriptures in a new and personal way. As a guide we used Anne Graham Lotz’ Jesus in Me Bible Study Guide. The study helps you identify scripture in terms of the lesson taught, the meaning for me, and what I will do as a result.
- Growing old together with friends
Imagine having friends for 100 years! That happens in blue zones.
Life is a series of stages and I have progressed to senior status. I have five high school buddies and after our senior year, we all scattered. We went to college, built careers, had children, empty nested, and have achieved senior status … again! At our 40th reunion, the six of us decided to get together at least once a year. We take turns meeting in different places. There is nothing like a go-to stress-free group you can always count on.
These are five easy ways I’ve put healthy living and blue zone practices into action. Do you have secrets for implementing blue zone ideals? I’d love to hear your ideas on how to plot a healthy lifestyle.
About the Author:
Sally Jo Pitts worked as a private investigator alongside her husband for thirty years, starting out as an intern. For many of those years she worked as a teacher and/or high school guidance counselor by day and PI by night. Tapping into her detective and educator background, she brings to the fiction page what she likes to read, faith-based stories, steeped in the mysteries of life’s relationships. She is author of the Hamilton Harbor Legacy romance series and the 4-book Seasons of Mystery series: Autumn Vindication, Winter Deception, Spring Betrayal, and Summer Cover-Up. You can connect with her at www.sallyjopitts.com.
What excellent content! I’ve recently started drinking as much water and as fast as I can before coffee. It’s lifted AM mental fatigue. Who knew a small change could make a big difference.
A healthy lifestyle goes far beyond the food we eat, as it’s also rooted in how we behave, the connections we create with others, and the like. Very detailed insight shared here!