In 2005, researcher Dan Buettner, along with National Geographic and a team of demographers, began a years-long quest to find the answer to a simple question: What makes certain groups of people live the longest?
The teams research would take them all over the globe. From Sardinia, Italy to Ikaria, Greece and all the way back to Loma Linda, California. The expedition identified five specific regions with more centenarians (people over 100 years old) than any other areas in the world. They named these areas Blue Zones.
What is a Blue Zone?
What exactly is a Blue Zone? By definition, it’s a specific region that has a much higher number of centenarians per capita than is typically found around the world. As Mr. Buettner and his team discovered, these regions share common characteristics that seem to help people live longer and happier lives. Those characteristics include:
- Moderate physical activity
- Proactive stress reduction
- Family first attitude
- Eating until 80% full
- Staying in touch with one’s life purpose
- Maintaining strong social bonds
- Consuming moderate amounts of alcohol
- Eating a mostly plant-based diet
- Cultivating a spiritual connection
Three ways Sarasota shines as a Blue Zone
Looking at the list above, it’s not hard to see that Sarasota has most (if not all) of the Blue Zone foundational characteristics.
First, let’s talk geography.
Sarasota is located on the Gulf Coast of Florida, with some of the finest and best rated public beaches in the country. Such close proximity to water, along with year-round warm weather, makes Sarasota an easy place to stay active, keep up with friends, and enjoy the spiritual side of nature.
Now, let’s talk social bonds.
The social side of Sarasota is more than just your typical bar and restaurant scene. Opera, ballet, The Van Wezel, Downtown‘s many galleries, and the renowned Sarasota Film Festival are just a few examples of Sarasota’s rich cultural diversity. In short, there’s something here for everyone. Such a rich social landscape makes it easy to build lasting friendships enriched by unique, common interests.
Finally, spirituality and life purpose.
Did you know the Amish have a Snowbird community right here in Sarasota? Or, that Downtown Sarasota is home to meditation centers, mindfulness institutes, and group meditations on Siesta Key? From traditional to New Age and everything in between, religion and spiritual communities are strong in our city. Moreover, a growing trend in multi-generational households might be laying the framework for shared wisdom and happiness. After all, what better way to stay connected to your life’s purpose than to spend time with children and grandchildren?
Of course, one doesn’t need a family to connect with their life purpose and meaning. Sarasota’s many community groups, events, and social landscape are an inviting place to thrive!
