10 Beneficial Habits by Dan Buettner … and Me

Dan Buettner has been on the move since high school, when he began traveling around the world. Sometimes he travels by plane and sometimes on a bike … once biking 15,500 miles from Alaska to Argentina. He holds three world records for endurance bicycling.

And he has the coolest job. He’s a writer for National Geographic and he travels around the globe researching what can add value and years to our lives. He’s written two books, Blue Zones and Thrive.

Recently I heard Dan speak. His speech was entertaining, informational and well-delivered. His stories and the accompanying slides made me want to meet all the sweet folks he spent time with as he did research on their lifestyle habits. I was also able to chat with him for a few minutes afterwards and he is one of the nicest folks I’ve ever met. He autographed a book for me to give away to you, my lovely readers. (giveaway info below)

At his talk, he shared the Power 9 from his book, Blue Zones – Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who’ve Lived the Longest. These are nine habits we can all begin today to improve our lives … here they are in a mixture of his words and mine.

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1.  Move Naturally

Structured exercise is good, but adding walking to your day in a natural way is even more beneficial long-term, because you are more likely to continue it throughout life. Park in the last spot in the parking lot, not the one closest to the door. Garden, walk to the neighbors just to say hi or to share the extra zucchini from your garden.

2.  Know your Purpose

People who know why they wake up in the morning live up to seven years longer than those who don’t. Take time to think through your passions and your purpose. Learn to do something well and share what you know … it will give you a reason to get up in the morning.

3. Down Shift

Stress kills! Chronic inflammation caused by stress is related to every major, age-related disease. Do something to shed stress for at least 15 minutes every day … meditate, nap, pray or enjoy a happy hour.

4. 80% Rule

Stop before you are full. Stop eating when you are only 80% full and you will be healthier. Also, eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper.

5. Plant Slant

As an almost-vegetarian, I was not surprised to hear that his research showed that most of the people living to be over 100 ate primarily a plant-based diet heavy on beans, nuts and green plants. He says eat meat (I say fish) in small portions, about the size of a deck of cards, only twice a week.

6. Wine at 5

Love this research! Moderate drinkers out-live non-drinkers. Two glasses of wine daily is healthy especially when sipped and savored during a plant-based meal.

7. Family First

Families aren’t perfect and they can sometimes add stress to one’s life, but research shows that living in a thriving family is worth a half a dozen extra years of life expectancy. Invest time in your kids, be in a monogamous relationship and keep your aging parents nearby.

8. Belong

Love others. Connect with a faith-based community. It doesn’t matter if you’re Christian, Jewish, Muslim or Buddhist. People who interact with their faith community a few times a week live an extra 4-14 years.

9. Right Tribe

Take a look at your friends. If they are making wise choices about themselves, chances are you will be more successful at doing so. If needed, expand your social circle to include healthy-minded, supportive people and you could add years to your life.

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10. Pause and Think

With respect to Dan, I am going to add #10. I don’t have as much research to back it as Dan does for his points, but it’s something I’ve noticed and Dan shared a story that reinforced this thought for me.

Dan asked a 105 year old woman, “What the best thing about being 105?”

She paused and said, “There’s no peer pressure.”

Yes, her answer is funny … but what I noticed was Dan said she paused before she answered. Paused. Thought. I believe that pausing and thinking is a priceless habit that adds value to one’s life.

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Is there another habit we should know about to live healthy lives? If you have #11, feel free to share it.

Want to read more stories from Dan’s travels and learn more details about the habits that can benefit your life? Leave your name and/or a comment below to win an autographed hardcover copy of Blue Zones.