Living to be 100 years old is a massive achievement! While centenarians are not entirely uncommon, there have been 5 places that have been discovered to home some of the world’s oldest people. Dubbed as Blue Zones, Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece, and Loma Linda, California showcases a range of landscapes where these individuals live to impressive numbers. What do these people or places have in common that help them live so long? National Geographic Fellow and multiple New York Times bestselling author Dan Buettner, the founder of Blue Zones, identified this way of life and the 9 elements that help inhabitants live longer.

A simple way of living, a coastal environment is one of the best locations to reach this lifestyle. While the Sibaya Coastal Precinct offers the ideal setting, here is how you can incorporate more life-changing Blue Zone elements into your lifestyle.

Move naturally:

Live in an environment that constantly urges you to move around without thinking about it. Living on the coast means that you have every excuse to head to the beach for a quick walk on the shore or dip in the ocean. This allows you to get active on the go while enjoying it. Let’s not forget how the Sibaya Coastal Precinct also offers you coastal forests and safe areas throughout to cycle and walk.

Have purpose

Knowing your purpose in life is proven to increase your life expectancy by at least 7 years. Whether its working towards creating a better sustainable lifestyle  or heading out fishing with your mates, the Sibaya Coastal Precinct offers you the platform to find purpose and create meaningful change.

Destress and downshift

While stress is unavoidable, people that live in Blue Zones experience less stress. Stress is a leading cause for chronic inflammation and a myriad of other age-related diseases. Spending time on the coast is proven to actively reduce your stress levels with the number of positive ions in the water and also helps fight depression and put you in a calming state of mind.

The 80% eating rule

A key element in Blue Zones is eating until you are 80% full. Studies have suggested that those living within warmer climates have reduced appetites.

Plant slant

Plants are the foundation of a centenarian’s diet. With meat being eaten only a few times within the month, living along the coast means that you will have access to a range of fresh fruit and veggies available at local stores.

Wine at 5pm

There’s nothing quite like enjoying a glass of wine with an ocean view! Most individuals living within Blue Zones apart from Seventh Day Adventists in Loma Linda delight in moderate and regular alcohol consumption, with an average of 1-2 glasses of wine at 5pm.