Just what would it take to live to 100?  And what do those who live that long, attribute their longevity to?  Dan Buettner, freelance writer for National Geographic and author of The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who've Lived the Longest, set out to discover just that.  In partnership with The National Institute on Aging and the University of Minnesota, Buettner traveled the globe to find communities that have an unusually high prevalence of centenarians (people at least 100 years old), and then he set out to study their lifestyles.

In his book, Buettner examines four "zones" or geographic regions where small populations live remarkably long, full lives.  The regions include: Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica; and Loma Linda, California (home to the largest Seventh-day Adventist population).

What Buettner discovered is that people in these four regions seem to have something in common — not only do they live long lives, but people living in these “Blue Zones” describe their lives as purposeful, vibrant, and happy.  Buettner examined each population, interviewed the elders, and then summarized four key lifestyle behaviors that individuals living in these zones share.

1. Daily Activity - Movement is part of everyday life. The oldest-lived people seem to look for opportunities for movement like gardening, long walks, and playing with children.  They focus on activities that bring enjoyment.

2. Plant-Based Diet - The diet of the world’s longest-lived populations is based on fruit, vegetables, beans, whole grains, dairy, some fish and tofu, and very little meat. Processed foods and fast foods are avoided.  In some, but not all, Blue Zone cultures, a glass or two of wine is often consumed with meals.

3. Social Network -  Social support is strong and personal connections are valued. The majority of time is spent with friends, family, and like-minded individuals.  Loved ones are put first.

4. Sense of Purpose - A deep sense of purpose is cultivated on a daily basis through work, volunteering, or connecting with one’s faith. This provides a reason for living and for staying healthy.

The lessons learned from cultures that live long and healthy lives are worth pondering as we make lifestyle choices today that will impact not only how many years we’ll live, but how well we will live those years.