Lessons From The Blue Zones

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Since getting my PhD at Pitt in 1984, I have been associated with the University of Pittsburgh. I have had an appointment to teach in both the Schools of Social Work, and the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, which I did all the way up to the pandemic when I took a pause. Since then, I have done some spot lecturing here and there.

Recently, the Dean of SHRS invited me to speak at Commencement this past April where some 300 SHRS students got their degrees. I agreed, and then pondered what I could share in 10 minutes or so that would be meaningful to the students, and relevant to their families who would travel wide and far to see their loved ones take their diplomas.

Finally, after a fair amount of thought, I started to frame my address, which I titled “Lessons From The Blue Zones.” Now Blue Zones are regions in the world, and there are only 6 of them, where residents live longer lives, are happier, take less medicine, endure less hospitalizations, have less heart disease, and dementia, and generally lead better lives. These “Blue Zones,” have been studied since 2007 and much has been learned and summarized. Given that the SHRS is all about better health, I felt this would be particularly relevant.

Before I share the common ingredients associated with these Blue Zones, let me introduce them to you. Not in any order of importance they are; Sardinia, Italy; Ikaria, Greece; Okinawa, Japan; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Loma Linda, California; and the newest addition, Singapore. Of all the places on earth, these regions sustain the best and longest lives.

And their lessons are not complex. There are 4 common features that sociologists found in all 6 Blue Zones and feel provide a gateway to a better life. These are:

  1. Move often and stay physical. Folks in the Blue Zones don’t go to fancy gyms, or ride Peloton Bikes. Rather, they tend to their gardens, take regular walks, clean up around the house, and remain physically active well into their golden years.

  2. Eat in moderation, with mostly a plant/fruit based diet. Some of these regions followed an 80/20 rule to stop eating when they were 80% full. Eat red meat sparingly and consider sea food alternatives. It is no surprise that all 6 Blue Zones are by their various regions seas.

  3. Find a “purpose” for your life. What is your reason to be, what were you meant to do? For most of the regions this purpose was framed in spiritual ways, with a faith-based relevance.

  4. Connect with friends and family on a regular basis. Blue Zone residents were active in their community well into the golden years and celebrated often with others.

As I concluded my talk at the commencement, I connected the dots of how these 4 features align with our school and how we prepared students in all 4 of these disciplines to practice in the field via PT, Dietetics, Counseling, and Communication. Then, tongue-in-cheek, I prompted the graduates that in 2091, when they reach their 101st healthy birthday, they should come into their home from meditating in their garden, and write a nice, big check to the University of Pittsburgh for framing their Blue Zone lifestyle!