Author: Melanie Chursinoff of Green Wind Communications

The global average age life expectancy is 70 for males and 72 for females.

There are five regions around the world where the population is living effortlessly to 90 years old and above. These longevity hot spots have been designated as Blue Zones.

These regions are Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Ikaria, Greece; Loma Linda in California (USA); and the Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica.

Dan Buettner, a National Geographic fellow and author who was studying areas with concentrated populations of the oldest people in the world, coined this term.

The first article on Blue-Zones was published in National Geographic in 2004. The Nicoya Peninsula is the only Blue Zone in Latin America, and it is the largest one in the world.

Residents in these unique locations live long and healthy lives, they have the lowest rates of chronic illness, and often elude heart disease and even cancer. Nicoya boasts one of the highest concentrations of centenarians in the world.

While these Blue Zones are thousands of miles apart, these special areas have specific characteristics of the lifestyles which contribute to their exceptionally long lives. Each region has its own diet, types of exercise, and community structure- all have certain things in common.

Blue Zone Principles of a Long and Healthy Life

One routine of many in Nicoya is a rising at dawn and consumption of a typical hearty breakfast.

Their daily breakfast consists of gallo (rice and beans), eggs, and a basket of homemade corn tortillas along with hot coffee.

Their meals are made using fresh whole foods and are passed down from one generation to the next. This healthy breakfast gives them the nourishment they need to tend their crops and livestock.

The food is prepared slowly and with much intention and love. Multiple generations share the same dinner table in an unhurried ambience.

They eat many fruits and vegetables often grown on their own lands and have a tendency to consume less meat.

*Costa Rican born, Chef Dania is shown here sharing her love of food and Costa Rica. Read more about Dania.*

While Nicoyans begin their day by eating a healthy breakfast their diet is not the only secret to their longevity. Their lifestyle is also an important factor when it comes to living a long and healthy life.

People on the Nicoya Peninsula practice not only good mental health but also good physical health. Many Nicoyans choose to walk from one destination to another instead of driving. They are also hard workers. Their secret is to work hard, ride horses, plant their own food, take care of their animals, keep active, and continue to work as long as they can.

They are happy and content with what they have and appreciate the life they have been given- they call it “La Pura Vida”.

Connection to family and community is another commonality within the Blue Zone cultures.

Having healthy and supportive relationships with friends and family is a key to longevity observed in the Blue Zones.

Multiple generations live together or near each other, spend time together, learn from each other, and help each other.

Children walk to school together and play outside and Nicoyans generally know and care for their neighbors. Maintaining close human connections with family and friends helps to reduce stress. Multiple generations can be unplugged from digital distractions and enjoy each other’s company.

The Nicoyans live their life with more calm and a slower rhythm.

These people know how to take care of themselves- they rest more, get up earlier, and are more connected to nature and the sun, which is why people here better enjoy their lives more.

Some people say spirituality, a strong faith, and purpose cover 80% of the reasons for longevity on the Nicoya Peninsula.

Marian Paniagua and I sat down to discuss what it is like to grow up and live life in a Blue Zone. Go have a listen to her interview!

LISTEN TO OUR BLUE ZONE INTERVIEW!

Emerging from our post-pandemic world is changing the way we travel

As we are beginning to emerge from our post-pandemic world there is a lot to learn and an opening for us to be better to our communities and to ourselves.

I believe the Blue Zones like the one on the Nicoya Peninsula give us examples and models to follow.

In a peculiar way, we have been given a reset, an opportunity to do things differently.

For example, in the current world of all-inclusive resorts people are not experiencing satisfaction and they do not know why. I believe I have the answer to this, and I will get to it shortly.

The Beach Chairs in Front of Ralia Retreats Costa Rica Location

As we enter into a post-COVID world, the challenge to travel continues, with issues of health and hygiene.

Also, there are many impact-minded travellers who are concerned about their imprint upon the Earth’s ecosystems, Indigenous cultures, and local communities- these people are making more carefully considered travel choices.

The standard American model of travel has become so unsatisfying. Why?

Here’s the idea- it is unsatisfying to constantly take, take, take and not give.

Case in point- all inclusives have this culture of staking a claim on the beach chairs because people feel they will miss out on not having one for their time at their resort.

Instead of trusting that a chair will available when they need it, there is a feeling of lack, which comes out in this model of American travel as territoriality. I digress to make a point, but will get back to this topic one day, I promise.

There is a need for the travel industry to start providing exceptional experiences and Ralia Retreats is at the forefront of this new movement.

Ralia Retreats Are Like Nothing You Have Ever Experienced Before.

When people come for a retreat with us, they get to experience an eco-friendly, conscious, connected, and restful form of travel.

In our ‘Joy of Life Costa Rica Retreat’ we tap into the deep, deep part of you to help you really experience joy.

The idea is that we build in the legacy piece- a giving back of what you have which you carry around with you and finding it valuable because nobody possesses that except you.

A coffee scrub snapshot during our Wellness Catamaran Tour

For us at Ralia Retreats, it is a privilege and blessing to be located in this amazingly beautiful region by the ocean and be connected to this Blue Zone.

On our retreats, we walk on whatever path you have taken - with your family, in a group, or as a guide.

We create a space for people who want to reflect or engage in the aspiration of their dreams.

We love to host and be your guides where you will have experiences that are meaningful, connected, and transformative.

Guests of Ralia Retreats in front of the property where they are staying with us.

Just as the Nicoya Peninsula’s Blue Zone continues to be an example of the resiliency of the human body and spirit, the centenarians here are showing us how to live a long, healthy, happy, and meaningful life.

This life is called Pura Vida, and this philosophy is one of the heart centers of Ralia Retreats.

Looking to experience a transformative retreat in the Blue Zone? I invite you to click below on our Joy of Life Retreat in beautiful Costa Rica!

Joy of Life Retreat