Can you create Your Own Blue Zone? 

Unlocking Longevity Wellness: 7 Ways to Create Your Own Blue Zoneithin your reach

In everyone’s quest for wellness and longevity, one concept that keeps recurring as an ideal reference or rather as a beacon of inspiration is the concept of Blue Zones.

To put it more precisely, Blue Zones refer to regions of the world where people live significantly longer and healthier lives compared to the global average, with a Blue Zone life expectancy far exceeding the global average. These regions are known for their high concentrations of centenarians and their inhabitants’ ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle well into old age. There are as of now six proclaimed Blue Zones in the world – regions where longevity is more prevalent due to factors like strong community ties, a sense of purpose, healing diet, and physical activity. Dan Buettner, a pioneer in Blue Zone research, identified evidence-based principles common to these regions. 

The current 6 Blue Zones of the world are… 

• Okinawa, Japan
• Sardinia, Italy
• Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
• Ikaria, Greece
• Loma Linda, California, USA
• Singapore (Blue Zone 2.0)

Okinawa, Japan, is one of the most celebrated Blue Zones in the world. Often referred to as the ‘Land of Immortals’, this small island has a high number of centenarians (with about 68 centenarians per 100,000 people). What sets Okinawans apart is their entire way of life. They thrive on a plant-based diet, and have a deep-rooted sense of community along with how they live, following their Ikigai– living life with purpose. This purposeful approach to living nurtures a profound harmony of the soul (Atma), mind (Mana) and body (Tann), such that it transcends physical age.

But with only these 6 Blue Zones identified across the world, one might wonder:

Can one create their own Blue Zone? 

Let’s delve into Blue Zones secrets of a long life, drawing inspiration from these extraordinary regions and imbibing the very essence of Blue Zones…

1. Find your community, Your well(ness)-wishers

Work towards surrounding yourself with people who resonate with your values. In a Blue Zone, strong social ties are often rooted in a shared faith or purpose, reflect the essence of a Blue Zone lifestyle, bringing spiritual alignment and a deeper sense of connection. This helps individuals find meaning in their daily lives and cope better with challenges. They live with the emotional and psychological benefits of community living with reduced feelings of isolation and improved mental health. These are directly linked to lower rates of heart disease, depression, and cognitive decline.

A Blue Zone community rooted in shared goals fosters a collective consciousness that uplifts and aligns everyone there. The shared activities and rituals common in these communities become the reason for regular meet-ups, communal meals and physical activity routines. These thus help reinforce healthy behaviours, promote accountability and consistency.

Singapore exemplifies how community living can be woven into the fabric of a city through deliberate policies and initiatives. Termed as Blue Zone 2.0, the Singaporean government and policymakers are prioritising efforts to elevate community well-being and longevity. Policies encouraging active ageing, mental health awareness, and sustainable urban living are transforming this country into an environment that supports meaningful and healthy lives. Initiatives like taxing travel by car, junk food and enablimng subsidies for public transport, healthy foods send a clear message to the Singaporean. They have also created more accessible green spaces, insisted on work-life balance protocols, and designed elder-friendly neighbourhoods. All this reflects the country’s commitment to fostering a growing community of wellbeing seekers.

When looking to belong to such a community, in the short run, you can start by seeking local groups that share your interests. E.g. If you wish to embrace spirituality, you must participate in spiritual yatras (expeditions), if interested in running, join a marathoner’s group etc. People who value what you do exist, just like the thriving communities in blue zones for longevity. You need to go out there and connect with them.   

2. Discover your WHY

This is where one must circle back to the timeless concept of Ikigai, where we must try to live each day with a sense of purpose. Mind you, this doesn’t have to be something monumental; It could be focusing on mental well-being, nurturing a hobby that fulfills you, ensuring you have a few meaningful activities added to your everyday life. When you discover your “why,” it fuels your life journey with vitality and focus. 

Purpose is not simply a theoretical concept, it has measurable benefits. Studies clearly prove that people with a sense of purpose have better cognitive functioning, experience slower cognitive decline and are at a reduced risk for getting Alzheimer’s. 

A successful model is the Okinawan concept of Moais, which exemplifies the profound impact of a purposeful community. Their tight-knit social groups act as lifelong support systems, offering emotional, financial, and practical aid to their members. In this blue zone, the purpose is tied to social roles, family, and community. Whether it is tending to a garden, mentoring younger generations, or simply preparing a family meal, these acts give their life meaning and provide a reason to them to wake up every day with intention. A moai meets her/his neighbours every day, and manages to foster a deep sense of commitment, creating a circle of reliable support, companionship, and encouragement through life’s challenges.

3. Let go and find your Aum (Om) 

This is the practice of transforming stress into serenity. Our rich Indian heritage of Yoga lends to us access to calming rituals like Pranayama to steady your breath, Yoga Nidra to relax your mind, and asanas that rejuvenate. Indulging in outdoor walking, where nature can heal you, reading from a book without digital distractions or indulging in mindfully sipping a herbal tea and watching the sun set are also some simple and back-to-the-basic practices that are proven to ease stress, reduce inflammation, sharpen focus, and nurture emotional balance.

4. You got to Move it, Move it

Take on any movement that feels natural and intuitive. Walk whenever, wherever possible. Embark on nature trails/hikes, tend a garden, immerse in forest bathing, participate in bird watching etc. The idea is to reconnect with the world outside, from the inside of you in a way that is both spontaneous and natural. This practice of regular movement enhances sleep, improves the mood, supports better circulation, lowers stress, and boosts immune function! When you can, move.

5. Redefine your relationship with food

A great place to start is by embracing the 80% rule – That is one should stop eating when they are 80% full. And the food you choose to consume should also consist of healing, nutritious, filled with anti-inflammatory ingredients while being colourful. In fact, make it a practice to indulge in right-sized mindful food portions and by colouring the plate with vibrant, plant ingredients enriched with anti-inflammatory kitchen essentials of turmeric, cumin, and ginger, one can create gourmet, sumptuous and healing plant-based meals every day. Doing this repeatedly will habituate you to conscious eating, improved gut health, and longevity. You will start to slowly but surely experience an improved relationship with your food. 

6. Learn to Love ‘You’ First

Prioritise your relationship with the self as this is what matters the most. Nurture your own well-being first and you will be able to better care for others. Investing in our health and wellness must be a priority for each one of us, as this allows us to be fully present for those who matter the most. Choose to consciously work towards being more self-connected, and self-aware for yourself and your loved ones. Nothing says wellness, like self love does.  

7. Moderate to maximise living

If you enjoy something, do it mindfully. Then you would be doing it in moderation, and maximising its benefit.

Ultimately, for those focussed on maintaining optimal health, it’s often best to refrain from indulging in excess, may it be a vice or a virtue.

Build healthier habits as you practice the art of moderation day-in and day-out. These can include eating mindful portions, sleeping at the right time for recommended hours, working out and improving posture, spending time looking inwards etc.

The above are not fixed rules, but rather guiding forces to help you shape a life of health and purpose. Implementing these principles might seem daunting at first, but small, consistent steps can lead to big changes. Start by identifying areas in your life where balance is missing. 

So now that you know all the ingredients of a Blue Zone, I would recommend we all take the initiative to add these to our lives.

At Atmantan the ultimate goal has been to create a place where like-minded individuals come to seek clarity, improve lifestyles, build healthy habits, and allow the body to thrive naturally midst the benevolence of nature.

Atmantan is our attempt at creating a Blue zone. Envisage a place where the environment nurtures longevity, where natural movement, clean eating, a wellness community binds people, giving them all a sense of purpose. Here they can take time out to re-define themselves and their flow.  

Our retreats are designed to empower our guests as they re-discover themselves. Through consultations with doctors, immersion in nature, and participation in holistic activities, they invest in bettering their mental and physical well-being.

Here we encourage movement through practices like Yoga, dancing, nature walks, and grounding/earthing, which connect the body to the Earth’s healing surface. These sessions are proven to reduce inflammation, enhance the mood, boost sleep cycles and improve well-being.

The fine dining cuisine is therapeutic, anti-inflammatory and plant-based, using local and organic produce. This is Doctor prescribed such that it fosters gut health, cognitive performance, and self-prioritisation, guiding guests towards improved health and well-being.

At Atmantan, every moment is designed to inspire you to live with intention, health, and joy—building your pathway to a life of harmony and longevity. For us, we also call this way of life, the Atmantan Way!

Your journey to creating a Blue Zone starts with deliberate choices and an environment that supports them… So what’s stopping you from starting to live your best, most fulfilling life?