From It was a big Blue Zones day :
Students look to participate in Buettner's quest to Icaria, Greece
Albert Lea students will soon have the opportunity to take part in Blue Zones founder Dan Buettner's upcoming quest to Icaria, Greece, as he explores what could possibly be the last Blue Zone in the world.
Throughout the day Thursday, Buettner, a Minnesota-native, visited Albert Lea's schools, inviting at least 1,500 students to participate via the Internet in a live expedition of the quest.
Buettner explained there will be daily content, including videos, written dispatches, photographs and other opportunities online where the students can vote to direct the team's decisions as they unlock longevity's secrets.
His quest begins April 20 and goes through May 1.
During his visit to Southwest Middle School Thursday, Buettner explained he has traveled all over the world and thus far identified four Blue Zones, or areas where people live the longest, most-fulfilling lives. He's learned that all of those people, no matter where they live, all follow certain simple principles that put them on a path to a longer life.
He explained many of the characteristics he's found that the people in each Blue Zone have.
In Sardinia, Italy, the people live in an environment where it's easy to move, he said. They do exercise without thinking of it.
Instead of going home to watch their televisions at night, they build their social circles. They also have a different attitude toward aging, among other reasons, he said.
In Okinawa, Japan, the second Blue Zone, the people have the longest and healthiest life expectancy in the world, Buettner said. There are five times as many centenarians.
How is this so?
The people there live off of a plant-based diet, eating lots of food made of tofu and beans. Before every meal, they say three words — “hari hachi bu” — that reminds them to stop eating when they're 80 percent full.
Also, when Okinawans are 5, their parents match them with a handful of other 5-year-old children, he said. That group meets together often and travels through life together. They are there for the good times and the bad.
He also pointed out that Okinawans believe in knowing what they're good at and sharing those talents.
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