We all want to live longer. Or, more specifically: better for longer. We want steady energy levels, sound minds and the ability to go out and explore for decades to come. Which is probably why so many of us are fascinated with “Blue Zones”—as in, those parts of the world in which people live significantly longer than average, often into their nineties and even one-hundreds. The five major Blue Zones as agreed by scientists are currently Sardinia in Italy, Okinawa in Japan, Ikaria in Greece and Nicoya in Costa Rica – all areas that can teach us a lot about how to live well.
But there’s an emerging Blue Zone in our midst, according to new research, one that’s worth paying attention to: Caltabellotta, a remote mountain town in Sicily. “Caltabellotta’s population data first drew our attention due to an exceptionally high ratio of people in their nineties,” Professor Gianni Pes, a pioneer of Blue Zone research, explains. “Such statistics indicate that Caltabellotta’s longevity profile is exceptional. The prevalence of nonagenarians [those in their nineties] in Caltabellotta’s population has roughly quadrupled over the past couple decades; nearly three times the Italian national average.”
While you could go to Caltabellotta yourself—there are a few getaways over there, including Verdura Resort, which now has a pioneering longevity program backed by the aforementioned research—you could also just copy and paste some of the Sicilian lifestyle choices at home. To that end, here are five Blue Zone habits to adopt now, based on those who live in Caltabellotta.
Keep stress levels low
I know, easier said than done, but this is a big one. “One reason Caltabellotta and similar Sicilian villages foster longevity is their low-stress lifestyle,” explains Professor Pes. Essentially, they have a slower pace of life; they’re not throwing themselves on the Tube at rush hour and replying to emails on the move. “Life in this rural town moves at a different pace than any city, following seasonal cycles, agricultural routines, and longstanding social rituals. This slower, agrarian way of life is associated with minimal chronic stress levels.”
Obviously, we can’t all slow down our lives exponentially, especially if we have kids or demanding jobs. But we can incorporate stress-relieving rituals into our daily routines, whether that means taking an afternoon nap on a Sunday, enjoying long, meandering dinner parties or going away for a proper holiday as much as feasibly possible. If something’s going to stress you out and you can avoid it, then do.
Opt for a Mediterranean diet
It’s worth paying attention to, because the Mediterranean diet (ie, plant and healthy-fat heavy) something plenty of Blue Zones have in common with one another, including Sicily. “In this community, the Mediterranean diet isn’t a conscious fad but a way of life passed down through generations,” says Professor Pes. “Meals center on locally grown, minimally-processed foods: plenty of vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains, with moderate portions of fish or meat. Olive oil is the principal fat source, providing heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.”
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