What do I want to do when I retire? What sort of lifestyle will best support my future goals? They’re common questions older adults ask themselves as they consider what they want their future to look like.
Most people quickly conclude they want to do what they want for as long as they want, which means focusing on their health and wellness. A lot of seniors also see retirement as an opportunity to explore new countries and cultures.
Research over the last few decades has shown that people who live in blue zones enjoy longer and happier lives. That’s why many older adults choose to combine their interests by taking a luxury to trip to one of the world’s blue zones.
What Is a Blue Zone?
A blue zone is a geographical region where people are statistically shown to live significantly longer lives than average — beyond the age of 80 — often reaching 100. The term was coined by National Geographic journalist Dan Buettner who was studying longevity and used a blue pen to mark these regions on a map.
So, where are the blue zones in the world? As more research is conducted, there will probably prove to be more than just five blue zones, but these are the most well-known:
- Okinawa, Japan
- Sardinia, Italy
- Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
- Ikaria, Greece
- Loma Linda, California
According to Buettner and a team of demographers and researchers, people living in blue zones share nine lifestyle habits that help them live longer, healthier lives:
- Making movement a natural part of your day
- Having a sense of purpose
- Prioritizing stress relief
- Eating until you’re about 80% full
- Eating a largely plant-based diet
- Drinking alcohol in moderation
- Connecting with your community
- Putting family (whether biological or chosen) first
- Choosing social circles that support healthy behaviors
Luckily, none of the reasons listed above are related to where the blue zones are on a map, which means they’re replicable no matter where you live.
How The Hallmark Supports Your Adventures
With our maintenance-free lifestyle and 24-hour security, think of The Hallmark as your base camp which gives you the freedom and sense of security to go out and explore the world, knowing your home is safe, secure and looked after by our talented staff.
When you want to stay closer to home, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to learn and grow with a community of thoughtful and friendly neighbors. Coincidently, they’re also people just like you, who can’t wait to see where life takes them next. Whether that’s around the block or around the world.
Benefits of Travel
Whether you’re going to see family and friends or visiting places you’ve never seen before, travel provides a path to healthy aging by contributing to a longer life and more satisfying retirement. The benefits of travel for older adults include improvements to your mental, physical and emotional health. Studies have found that:
- Travel keeps you moving and active, often providing more opportunities to move than staying at home.
- Older adults who are more physically active have lower rates of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and many other diseases.
- As you literally leave your comfort zone, travel can help increase your confidence as you overcome fears.
- According to Paul Nussbaum, Ph.D., ABPP, president and founder of the Brain Health Center, Inc., “Because it challenges the brain with new and different experiences and environments, travel is an important behavior that promotes brain health and builds brain resilience across the lifespan.”
- Travel can also help you deepen relationships with traveling companions and offers opportunities to meet new people.
Discover the Advantages of Our Lock-and-Leave Lifestyle
If you’re trying to decide, where should I retire, you don’t have to move to one of the several expat retirement communities, in or around a blue zone to reap their benefits. At The Hallmark, our focus on whole-person wellness gives you the freedom and flexibility to live the lifestyle you’ve always desired. Call us at 346-223-9741 or contact us here, to learn more.
Featured Image: Davor Geber / Shutterstock
