Life in a Costa Rican Blue Zone — Living Longer and Better!

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Life in a Costa Rican Blue Zone – Living Longer and Better!

by Jeanne in Costa Rica

If you're looking for a place to live that will improve your health, consider moving to Costa Rica. Costa Rica is home to a Blue Zone. In this region, people live longer and are significantly less likely to develop chronic diseases than people in other parts of the world.

There are five blue zones in the world where people live longest and are the healthiest—Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Ikaria, Greece; Loma Linda, California; and Nicoya, Costa Rica. There are many health benefits associated, and we’ve experienced some already!

Healthy Habits in Blue Zones

An Interesting point—The Power 9 Principles. These nine healthy lifestyle habits help people in blue zones live longer and healthier lives. They are:
1. Moving naturally —gyms not necessary
2. Know Your Purpose—“why I wake up in the morning.”
3. Downshift—Reduced stress
4. 80% Rule—Stop eating when your stomach is 80% full.
5. Plant Slant—Consuming small amounts of meat on rare occasions and eating various fruits and vegetables.
6. Wine @ Five—One glass of wine per day for women and two drinks for men
7. Right Tribe—Creating social circles that support healthy behaviors.
8. Belong—Belonging to a civic- or faith-based community.
9. Loved ones first—Putting family first.

The Blue Zone Diet

The diet of the Nicoya Peninsula consists primarily of plant-based food, such as beans, corn, and squash— the Nicoya Peninsula is a vegan paradise. Blue zone food is:
• Cruelty-free—it does not have any animal products in it.
• Eco-friendly—it uses natural and sustainable methods to produce
• Healthy—high in fiber and nutrients, such as potassium and magnesium.

People lean toward eating larger meals for lunch and lighter meals in the evening. There is little processed food, and adding sugar isn’t a regular practice. On average, people living on the Nicoya Peninsula have lower rates of osteoporosis and heart disease. This might also be affected by the water in the region—which is high in calcium and magnesium.

The Blue Zone and Physical Activity

NEAT, Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis, happens with every activity we engage in except sleeping or performing sports and exercising. This includes walking, gardening, doing housework, etc. Researchers have found higher levels of NEAT in people living in blue zones.

In blue zones, people do more walking, gardening, chores, and less structured exercise. In other words, they do enough physical exercise during their typical day in their environment to keep their NEAT at a level considered healthy.

The Blue Zone and Social Connections

When people grow old, they are embraced by their families and communities. Centenarians usually live with their children, grandchildren, and other family members. Older adults aren’t considered obsolete, or a bother to the younger generation. On the contrary, it’s the opposite—they are held in high regard and always cared for. This kind of lifetime care, belonging, and love for family feeds into lower stress and healthy longevity.

Our Ex-pat Experience

Since moving to Costa Rica, we have practiced the blue zone lifestyle (with some failures 😊). As a result, we have both lost 10-12 pounds through a change in our diet. The change includes eating less. The high heat temperatures keep us less interested in food. When we do eat, we eat more grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins like chicken and fish.

When we eat out, we “para compartir” (share) our meal because it’s enough for us. We exercise less in the gym and with weights, although weight training as we age is essential for a more NEAT lifestyle. We walk 3-5 miles a day with our dogs around our neighborhood or on the beach and spend more time outdoors because being outdoors is the lifestyle here.

In addition, we have expanded our social network with new friends. There’s something about meeting like-minded people interested in living the same life as us. Our new friends have moved to Costa Rica on an adventure and to improve their well-being. As a result, we all smile more, complain less, and laugh often.
We commit daily to living the Pura Vida lifestyle! 🙌🏻

A Final Thought

The Costa Rican Blue Zone is an excellent example of community and good health, creating a long, healthy life. You can achieve many of the same benefits by learning about the Costa Rican Blue Zone and applying some of the principles it practices in your own life. Or… you can also move to Costa Rica.

Pura Vida! 🌺

About The Author

Jeanne and her husband, James, live in Costa Rica.

They moved from the USA to enjoy a slower and more relaxed pace of life, and soon after had found their new home.

If you'd like to meet fellow expats who've made the move successfully, consider attending the 7-Day 'Moving To Costa Rica' Relocation Retreat.